15 Vs 16 Ft Old Town

[Nightbrew]

Al, I agree that the kingfisher might be a barge going down the river. I did notice a wenonah today called the aurora. Judging by its specs, it might be the ticket.

[Al Agnew]

Only problem I see with the Aurora is the very asymmetrical hull. The front end is a lot higher than the back end, which probably wouldn't be good for turning it around backward to paddle solo.

[Terrierman]

Mad River Legend 15 might fit your bill. I like mine a lot.

http://www.madrivercanoe.com/content/madrivercanoe.com/assets/page/legend_15_rx/Legend_15.pdf

http://www.madrivercanoe.com/product/index/products/river/legend_series/legend_15_rx/

[ColdWaterFshr]

I'll 2nd the Mad River Legend 15. Its the exact same boat as my Dagger Reflection 15. Very versatile solo/tandem boat that doesn't feel twitchy at all like a lot of solo boats I've been in. And it has a low bow and stern. Lightweight. Not too wide, not too skinny. Perfect boat for my needs of fishing and gravel bar camping.

But I will say its not a great tandem boat. Especially if your 2nd passenger weighs anything more than 170 lbs, or if you're freighting much gear with that 170 lb person, and then it starts to feel very twitchy. It reaches a certain freight limit and all bets are off. My Old Town Disco 158 doesn't have that issue, but it is quite a bit heavier. The 169 is a great boat, too, but good god they are heavy, and I've seen the bottoms on too many of those that are oil-canned.

A buddy of mine has the Wenonah Aurora. Very nice boat. Front end is a bit high and it does catch wind, but its not a big deal most of the time. To float it solo, I think you could trim it out with putting more weight up front, like a cooler or some rocks.

[Terrierman]

I'll 2nd the Mad River Legend 15. Its the exact same boat as my Dagger Reflection 15. Very versatile solo/tandem boat that doesn't feel twitchy at all like a lot of solo boats I've been in. And it has a low bow and stern. Lightweight. Not too wide, not too skinny. Perfect boat for my needs of fishing and gravel bar camping.

But I will say its not a great tandem boat. Especially if your 2nd passenger weighs anything more than 170 lbs, or if you're freighting much gear with that 170 lb person, and then it starts to feel very twitchy. It reaches a certain freight limit and all bets are off. My Old Town Disco 158 doesn't have that issue, but it is quite a bit heavier. The 169 is a great boat, too, but good god they are heavy, and I've seen the bottoms on too many of those that are oil-canned.

A buddy of mine has the Wenonah Aurora. Very nice boat. Front end is a bit high and it does catch wind, but its not a big deal most of the time. To float it solo, I think you could trim it out with putting more weight up front, like a cooler or some rocks.

Agree about it not being a great tandem boat. It's OK with my wife up front though, she's not a big person at all. If you click on the top link in my post, there's a pretty good write up on the boat and some design considerations. Mad River actually designed the boat to be used as a solo or tandem with the symmetrical hull and seat placement.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, I think the Legend is a good boat, but I'm not sure about how good it would be to stand up in. Of course, I think we discussed not long ago (or maybe it was in Riversmallies.com) that I think standing in a canoe is vastly overrated. I never do except to stretch my legs or look over an unfamiliar rapid as I approach it. I did kinda forget that the Legend has a shallow arch bottom...one of the few Mad Rivers that does.

[Terrierman]

We are in 100% agreement on standing in Canoes and Kayaks to fish. I see no need.

Yeah, I think the Legend is a good boat, but I'm not sure about how good it would be to stand up in. Of course, I think we discussed not long ago (or maybe it was in Riversmallies.com) that I think standing in a canoe is vastly overrated. I never do except to stretch my legs or look over an unfamiliar rapid as I approach it. I did kinda forget that the Legend has a shallow arch bottom...one of the few Mad Rivers that does.

[Gavin]

I like to be able to stand...but its not a priority....why stand when you can sit. I've paddled Coldwater's Dagger solo before...really nice boat...I've also rode in the front with a ton of gear in the boat...little wobbly but not bad. Still like a 17' boat for tandem canoeing. The 16' buffalo boats aren't bad....Disco 158 isn't bad...Tried a Wenonah Southfork or Northfork down at Sunburst a month ago...#3...in Justin's selection...It handled really well with my wife and two small kids in the boat. Lower sides than my Wenonah Spirit II.

[Al Agnew]

I agree on the length thing...if you're using it mostly tandem, 16 ft. is the minimum I'd want. But using it mostly solo you can easily get by with a shorter boat.

[Mitch f]

LOL