Wenonah Argosy Vs Vagabond

[yakfisher]

I hear a lot of talk about the Wenonah Vagabond but not much on the Argosy. I would like some input as to what the opinions are from this esteemed group as to what the differences on the water might be for these two canoes.

thanks in advance

[eric1978]

Very similar canoes. The Argosy will be slightly slower but more maneuverable, and won't track quite as nicely as the Vagabond. I'd go Vagabond for Ozark streams. Al should chime in on this one...he knows Wenonahs.

[Al Agnew]

Eric is right. The Argosy is designed as a river and stream playboat for mild whitewater. The Vagabond is more of a general recreational canoe.

For Ozark streams and fishing, I believe the Vagabond is a much better choice. For one thing, it has more initial stability, due to its more than two inch greater waterline width. It tracks better, but is still maneuverable. The ends are lower, making it a little less affected by wind. And you hardly ever encounter real whitewater, so the Argosy design is unnecessary.

[yakfisher]

Eric and Al, thank you for your replies. I was looking for honest input and opinions for the comparison of these two canoes. I just got back into fishing abut three years ago. Life, work, etc seemed to get in the way of relaxation time, or so I thought for too many years. On a whim one day, my wife suggested we rent a kayak at Lake Springfield. It was a pleasure to be back on the water again and the fishing took over from there. We bought kayaks for each of us and turned into irresponsible adults spending as much time on the water as we could letting the kayaks take control of our life. Anyway, after fishing from my kayak the last three years, which I have really enjoyed, I started looking for a solo canoe. I owned an Osagian aluminum canoe years ago which saw quite a bit of use but floated a Wenonah tandem last summer on a company trip and couldn't believe the difference a Wenonah could make in the enjoyment of floating. I had thought a Pack would be my choice from the financial aspect but found a used Wenonah Argosy on Craigs List last week at a price I couldn't pass up and in very good condition. The Argosy went home with me and I am now waiting for the weather and water conditions to cooperate so I can get it in the water. I am looking forward to the extra space I will have to carry rods, tackle bags, etc. I am thinking a Vagabond might have been a better choice, but, hopefully I won't be too dissappointed with the Argosy.

Thanks again for your input

  On 5/15/2010 at 6:42 PM, eric1978 said:

Very similar canoes. The Argosy will be slightly slower but more maneuverable, and won't track quite as nicely as the Vagabond. I'd go Vagabond for Ozark streams. Al should chime in on this one...he knows Wenonahs.

[Al Agnew]

I think you'll like the Argosy well enough. While the Vagabond would be my first choice, a lot of people really like the Argosy and it's a very good canoe. And if you think paddling a Wenonah tandem was a great pleasure compared to an old aluminum canoe, wait til you get into that solo canoe...it's another order of magnitude more pleasurable than any tandem. Paddling a decent solo canoe is just plain fun.

You'll also find that it handles very well with the double blade paddle...but in my opinion using a single blade is more satisfying. Don't hesitate to play around with both.

[eric1978]

I'd rather have the Argosy than my OT 119, and I love my 119. 'Course I paid $400 for it compared to the $1,000+ for a new Wenonah. Probably a wise choice getting a used one. Good luck and let us know how you like it.

[yakfisher]

I had a chance to take the Argosy out for a paddle today for the first time. No rod and reel, just a couple of paddles to play with to see how it handled. At first, it seemed awkward sitting so high compared to my kayak, but that feeling seemed to go away after a while. I tried both a single blade and a double blade paddle off and on and felt like I had more control with the double, but I liked using the single and will probably start looking for a good wooden paddle to use. There is something in my mind about using a wooden paddle, maybe like you said Al, more satisfying, when you were referring to a single blade. When we first hit the water, my paddling buddy (wife) took her kayak, it was nice and calm and the Argosy responded very well to each stroke regardless of the paddle used. The wind picked up after a while and I could tell the difference between how my kayak handled in the wind and how the Argosy handled. With more boat above the water line, it caught more wind which I expected it to do when it came at me broadside. Not bad, but there is a difference. I was impressed with the way the Argosy was able to handle a turn given the extra three plus feet of boat that I am not used to. The extra three feet doesn’t sound like much, but it still seems like it in my mind.

All in all, I was impressed with the way it handled and am happy with it. I am now looking forward to filling it with fishing gear and giving it another test run.

Eric, I was glad to find a used Wenonah, I wasn’t sure it would happen around here. Actually, I didn’t give much more for it than you did for the OT119, which is another reason I couldn’t see passing it up. I think I will be very happy with it.

Thank you both for your input.

[bobber]

put a pad down on the floor, and get down on your knees, then spread your knees out to the side. resting your cheeks on the seat lip, if you really want to see the canoe maneuver! and then try to put a little weight on the knee, of the side you want to turn into. i bet the smile on your face will be PRICELESS!!

[eric1978]

  On 5/18/2010 at 9:46 PM, yakfisher said:

I tried both a single blade and a double blade paddle off and on and felt like I had more control with the double, but I liked using the single and will probably start looking for a good wooden paddle to use. There is something in my mind about using a wooden paddle, maybe like you said Al, more satisfying, when you were referring to a single blade.

I prefer the single blade paddle simply because it's easier to use while fishing. I keep it on my lap at all times, and I'll pick it up constantly to make single-handed correction strokes without having to put down my rod...just can't do that with a double. If I was planning to paddle upstream then float back down I would bring a double...but I'm too lazy to do that so I never have a need for one. The only real benefit to a wood paddle IMO is that they are ligher, but it sure is nice using one. I got my Bending Branches on sale for only $50 or so.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, if you just want to have some fun paddling--or if you are in a rapid that has a lot of heavy waves that could make the canoe feel really squirrelly, kneeling is really nice. I seldom kneel because I'm usually fishing in the canoe rather than playing, but "kneeling and heeling" (kneeling and leaning the canoe to the side you want to turn into), is as Bobber said, a beautiful thing, and kneeling gives you a lot more stability in rapids.