http://www.wenonah.com/products/template/product_detail.php?IID=194&SID=86f38c3a073a41c26e9009aa77d9924a
Length: 12’6" (381 cm)
Gunwale Width: 27.5" (69.85 cm)
Maximum Width: 27.5" (69.85 cm)
Waterline Width: 24" (60.96 cm)
Bow Depth: 16" (40.64 cm)
Center Depth: 12" (30.48 cm)
Stern Depth: 16" (40.64 cm)
Rocker: minimal
Gunwales look kind of wide for sit on bottom paddling.
Configuration
Thanks for bringing this new little boat to our attention.
Paddling with a double blade would probably best fit the seat configuration. With a bench style seat mounted for kneeling the boat would probably feel tippy to new paddlers w/single blade.
A couple inches of rocker on each end would have made it more appealing to me. (Flashfire).
The price will make it attractive compared with some of the competitors in this category.
It should work fine
– Last Updated: Aug-25-07 2:34 PM EST –
Boats of that style are made to be paddled with a double-blade paddle, and gunwale width won't be an issue. In fact, it's no wider than most other boats in this class. As far as rocker goes, adding rocker would probably turn such a boat into a real pig. These little pack canoes turn quite nicely with a double-blade, mostly because they are so short and because the double-blade paddle gives you a pretty wide sweep. My guess is that adding two inches of rocker (as suggested by gremmie) to such a short, lightweight boat would make it wig-wag to an unacceptable degree during straight-line travel, considering that these boats were made for small lakes and ponds.
A new pack boat . The smaller
manufacturers must have gotten Wenonah’s attention.
Nessmuk
I’d also consider the Hemlock Nessmuk or Nessmuk XL. The design is based on the original Wee Lassie. Pricing is slightly higher than for the Wenonah version, but Hemlock quality is impeccable. You would need to travel to the Finger Lakes region of NY to pick it up or have it shipped, which of course adds cost.
http://www.hemlockcanoe.com/
ROCKER AND TRACKING
– Last Updated: Jul-10-08 10:37 PM EST –
Rocker doesn't have much to do with tracking. The best indicator of tracking ability is block co-efficient, but a simplified version is Length/width ratio.
On often finds differential rocker in boats - this compensates for poor paddling technique. Most of us carry the blade past our bodies into a sweep, which surely turns the boat.
Lack of bow rocker ofen causes hulls to be cranky - the bow "sticking" which forces the stern to skid.
Yes, High wide gunwales tend to force us into poor technique, but that is a choice too.
Wenonah's Wee Lassie's L/W is ~5.5 due to major layout at the stems. Most pack canoes run 4.3 to 5.2, with Bell's Bucktail 5.5, Vermont's Tupper 5.6 and Pb's SpitFire 5.8.
It is good to have Wenonah with an offering in the genre. More players further legitimizes pack canoes, but please compare Bell, Hemlock, Hornbeck, Native, Placid boats, Vermont Canoe.and Wenonah. All make their own versions, and one will probably be about right for you. Pack canoes are the ultimate rec kayak - lighter, more responsive, and we can see where the pack and the dog go.