Canoe Review We no nah Fisherman Wenonah

Wenonah Escapade
Wenonah Escape
Wenonah Fisherman
Wenonah Spirit II

Bell Northwind
Bell Morningstar
Bell Yellowstone Tandem
Bell Yellowstone Wildfire Solo

Oak Orchard Pickup
Oak Orchard Scout
Oak Orchard Explorer
Oak Orchard Chief
Oak Orchard Square Stern

Canoe Review Topic:
"Fisherman" by Wenonah

Versions Tested:
Kevlar Ultralight and Royalex

Conditions:
Stream -moderate flow
Lake -breezy with
occasional powerboat wakes.

The Paddlers:
DB; 5' 4" 125 lbs. Eight years paddling experience on lakes, streams and wilderness trips.

AR; 6' 0" 200 lbs. Twenty plus years paddling experience in just about anything that floats on all types of flatwater and whitewater.

SR; 32" 60 lbs. -no that's not a typo. (Those are perfectly respectable measurements
for a two year old Retreiver!)

We began our paddling day by lifting the two canoes off our rack once we arrived at the put-in location. It was a twenty mile drive in high winds but the two canoes didn't budge all the way. It's really reassuring to have good equipment when the wind picks up.
In this case we had a Yakima "Q tower rack on the cab of our Pickup and the
Oak Orchard "Style #1 Rear Rack" on the back, Yakima "Canoe Load Stops"
and plenty of 1" cam buckle straps completed the job.(see gear review) First thing we both noticed was that the Royalex version was pretty darn light. Most plastic canoes are so heavy its ridiculous but Royalex allows the canoe to be reasonable in weight but still very tough.
Ok, we thought it was light until we lifted down the Kevlar version. Wow! now that's light.
36 lbs for a wide 14' canoe. Either of us could easily carry the canoe to the water which made us think we should try paddling the canoes not only together as planned but solo as well. Many times we have thought about going solo only to be confronted with an unwieldy beast of a canoe that just takes the fun out of it. The Wenonah Kevlar is a whole different thing, lifting the Fisherman is actually a pleasure! Next thing we realized was that SF had already found the water and was waiting for us, on the opposite riverbank of course.
We started paddling each version solo, DB in the Kevlar and AR in the Royalex.
DB was delayed slightly by having to haul SR in over the side of the canoe and before
really getting settled, drifted down stream onto some partially submerged boulders.
BUMP, BUMP, BUMP went the rocks under the hull. DB shouted "Did you get the extra insurance on this thing". DB quickly caught up and remarked on the ease of handling. Soon we were down to a point where the river widens into a lake at which time we took a rest and examined how the canoes held up to the rocky river. Both had light scuff marks but that was all, amazing -especially considering how hard DB had hit those rocks at the start.
The same winds that were evident while driving were very obvious at the lake. There was a good chop. "Now this will be a test for these canoes" remarked AR.
Each canoe was then paddled tandem with DB in the bow and AR in the stern.
Both paddlers noted an easy reach to the water in spite of the wide width at center
the Fisherman is fairly pointed at the ends. This also causes it to glide along very well compare to others in it's class. While not being a fast canoe it was surprising how little effort
was required to keep it moving, even into the wind. SR sat, for the most part, in the center
and occasionally extended over the side to get a drink. This would mean a wet ride home in some canoes but was no problem for the Fisherman. Both initial and secondary stability were outstanding.
The main difference between the Royalex and Kevlar while paddling was that the Kevlar seemed to have a little more glide than the Royalex. The twenty pound weight difference
was definitely a great significance. Loading the canoes back on to the truck at the end of the
day was proof of that!
One thing we've learned over the years is not to scrimp on paddles. If you get a chance to use a really good paddle you'll never settle for less. This trip we were using Gillespie's "Oak Orchard Marathon" paddles which proved to be comfortable, light, well balanced and very smooth. (see "gear reviews" for more details)

We-no-nah "Fisherman"