Wenonah WW1 ...?

Funnily enough I almost capsized within a minute of first launching the hull.

I was excited to see what this Jensen could do and sprinted off the line padding upstream on our lazy river. The high sides made the switches awkward and on the 3rd switch I missed getting a good grip with my bottom hand and it unexpectedly pulled free from the paddle when I exerted pressure. My weight, of course, was leaning to that side and when the paddle support suddenly disappeared I almost went over. In that case the high free board is what saved me.

I've been thinking back over the two of these that I've owned and I now remember that I cut down the sheer on both of them. On the second one I also shortened the thwarts to great more tumblehome. This worked but it also considerably lowered the secondary stability. I still didn't have any problem paddling it but the difference was quite noticeable.

Alan

A couple more pictures

It looks like a 1983 model. It's not kevlar. Did they use Tuff-weave on these?

The seller said he bought a couple of years ago from an older guy. He thinks he had it possibly since new and used it fir fishing.

Someone glassed in some anchor points.

Tuff Weave wasn't a thing that early. I do think they used some Kevlar reinforcements at the ends. It looks like the seat has been lowered, which will improve stability. My FG C-1 (1983 also) has the same color interior--looks like yours has a gel coat rather than bare Kevlar. My FG boat with gel coat weighs 53 pounds, 4 pounds over the catalog weight. Kevlar should be in the 30s.

Mason said:

Tuff Weave wasn't a thing that early. I do think they used some Kevlar reinforcements at the ends. It looks like the seat has been lowered, which will improve stability. My FG C-1 (1983 also) has the same color interior--looks like yours has a gel coat rather than bare Kevlar. My FG boat with gel coat weighs 53 pounds, 4 pounds over the catalog weight. Kevlar should be in the 30s.

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Using the bathroom scale method, this one weighs about 55 pounds.

First paddle today.

The pics look great but how did it feel?

Alan

Alan Gage said:

The pics look great but how did it feel?

Alan

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My son and I both paddled it. It felt good. I thought it would feel more tender. It even felt okay with the small dog moving around. It does like to go straight. When the water is warmer I will see how far I can push it on edge turns etc.
As thin as the layup is, especially the sides, you would think it would be lighter. There are a few areas that will need some repairs.
I will probably make some kind of removable portage yoke.
Overall, it will be a fun canoe, especially for the price.

CaptainOllieWest said:

My son and I both paddled it. It felt good. I thought it would feel more tender. It even felt okay with the small dog moving around. It does like to go straight. When the water is warmer I will see how far I can push it on edge turns etc.
As thin as the layup is, especially the sides, you would think it would be lighter. There are a few areas that will need some repairs.
I will probably make some kind of removable portage yoke.
Overall, it will be a fun canoe, especially for the price.

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I think you'll find it responds well to leans. With a hard lean, the stern will really slew around. I used to dick around with a hard lean and an outside low brace--I've come close to gunnel dipping! Although the depth can be problematic, the gunnels are the right height to get a solid brace with my knees. As mentioned earlier, mine's heavy too, 53 pounds, 4 pounds over spec. It does have a thick gel coat, which has resulted in a long life of abuse. I made a yoke for it by adding some aluminum angle and wing-nuts on a basic contoured yoke, clamping on the outside due to the wider part of the gunnel being a splash guard. Simple and effective.

The WWC1 is not a bad dog canoe if properly trimmed.


As others have said, it is/was a Gene Jensen downriver racing design. As emphasizes straight ahead efficiency with enough depth to remain reasonably dry going through waves or over small drops. It is also a reasonable flatwater tripping boat for those who carry a big load.