Recent content by NikonF5user

I didn't realize that - but for some reason I have never paid as much attention to Wenonah as I have some of the other brands - so my bias has suppressed my knowledge it would seem!

I'm surprised to hear about the SRT damage, unless they were using ratchet straps (which is a huge no-no). That being said - I'm learning that it's better to get a lighter layup and repair any potential damage as opposed to default to the heavier layup. I mean, if you know you're going to do...

There are advantages of having a gel coat - it's more abrasion resistant plus also more UV resistant. New Swifts can also be had with epoxy resin - I believe these boats lack the gel coat plus also have a new "UV shield", but I do not know how well that UV shield compares to gel coat. I'm...

Just a suggestion - if you're going for a test paddle of a D15, I'd highly recommend also checking out the new Cirrus 14.6 - from what you're saying here it may tick all the points for you. It's the same length as the OG Dragonfly but it's fuller and can carry a larger load while having better...

I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but I love doing mental canoe comparisons. When it gets warmer I am going to pester a good friend of mine to let me paddle his boats and do this comparison: in my mind the only things out there that can compare to the D15 are the Redfeather RockSTAR...

I suspect this boat will be a game-changer of sorts for solo backcountry traveling - so many extended trippers use a turned-around 15' tandem prospector, this boat will be solo-optimized with a similar capacity and similar primary stability, able to handle big water and big portages as well as...

Curious if anyone out there has done a route similar to this (I believe this is what Hap Wilson calls the Maple Mountain Loop, or at least covers parts of it)? If so, would love to hear how long it took and any issues you faced along the route. I have read that fires have made some of the...

Nice to see a fellow Maryland canoe person! I recently moved to Howard County from Harford, and grew up paddling the Gunpowder down near Joppatowne. That being said, sounds like your early formative years overlapped with mine a bit - my grandparents had a "camp" near Old Forge and I grew up...

The Bell Northstar has long been my favorite tandem; I paddled one in Algonquin at some point and thought it was ideal for lake country portage trips. While I have been under the impression that the Polaris is basically the same boat with splayed-out ends to increase the length by 3", it's...

I have neither paddled nor even seen a Monarch (so I am not sure why I am commenting at all :ROFLMAO: 😂) , but one would have to imagine looking at the hull shape and decks that this was intended to be a direct competitor to the Bell Rob Roy, which if I am not mistaken is essentially a decked...

That makes sense - a Camp Temagami outing to the territories or northern Quebec perhaps...

Question for anyone out there who has paddled Temagami - this video was recently posted on YouTube that is mighty alluring. If the title did not say it was from Temagami, I would not have thought Ontario at all. Sadly the description does not detail the paddling location within Temagami - does...

You know - if I had your boat, I would get this PFD without a moment's thought:

I usually use a normal 1-piece or 2-piece rod, similarly tying them inside the canoe for portages (and even for the drive as well). But in '27 we're planning a fly-in trip and may ship equipment to ourselves in Alaska before heading out, so I am not sure how I can make it work. A two piece...

In prep for a future fly-in trip(s) where space and weight will be at a premium, I am debating getting a travel fishing rod that breaks down small enough to ship (and/or fit in duffel bag for travel). I know there are many options, so I am curious to hear from the experiences of others. Has...