I'm looking to purchase a used tandem canoe (<$1500) so we have a tandem to offer friends for group paddles and camping trips. Current tandem is a Penobscot 16 in Royalex. It meets our needs quite well (mostly day trips on lakes and lazy rivers, some lighter multi-day trips), but I wouldn't mind something lighter for portaging. I'm a bit torn between buying something that would be an upgrade for us (and making the Penobscot the loaner) or buying something with an eye towards helping friends have a good time (mostly green paddlers with toddlers in tow). I've been browsing with both ideas in mind, and market availability will probably ultimately be the decision maker.
But I'm curious: For those of you who have a tandem canoe that you loan out, did you buy it with those intentions? Or did you just purchase based on your own criteria, with loaners becoming loaners as you acquired more canoes?
Some local options if I go the dedicated loaner route: Wenonah Spirit II in Royalex, Old Town Acadia in Royalex, Mad River Northwoods in Royalex, Swift Algonquin 17 in Golden glass. Another benefit here is that we'd have a canoe to load up for a bigger trip if the opportunity arises.
If I go the other route: Bell Morningstar in Kevlar, maybe a Malecite if one comes up. We paddle some smaller, winding rivers, and we pack pretty light, so I would probably stay in pocket tripper/pocket cruiser territory.
But I'm curious: For those of you who have a tandem canoe that you loan out, did you buy it with those intentions? Or did you just purchase based on your own criteria, with loaners becoming loaners as you acquired more canoes?
Some local options if I go the dedicated loaner route: Wenonah Spirit II in Royalex, Old Town Acadia in Royalex, Mad River Northwoods in Royalex, Swift Algonquin 17 in Golden glass. Another benefit here is that we'd have a canoe to load up for a bigger trip if the opportunity arises.
If I go the other route: Bell Morningstar in Kevlar, maybe a Malecite if one comes up. We paddle some smaller, winding rivers, and we pack pretty light, so I would probably stay in pocket tripper/pocket cruiser territory.
