Bought a boat from TOC back during my "Dark" days of kayaking around 2000-2001. Since it was a long-distance deal, the guy had to "Field" several phone calls and questions before I settled on my kayak. He was always patient and friendly and I always thought I'd check that shop out if I ever get down that way. Glad they're still in business. I recall the shipper got a little confused, though, since the boat was shipped from Piedmont, ALABAMA to Piedmont, MISSOURI!
I looked at their site and they have some other boats that would be more suitable IMHO? The Wenonah Adirondack is a good do-all boat that I've paddled both tandem and solo, day trips and expeditions, lakes and rivers. More initial stability than the Penobscot, and excellent final stability also. Here's some reviews on the boat, mine was several years ago. It's a boat I owned and paddled from the late '80's to early 2000's. Can't give you any insight on the Aurora, but looks very similar to the Adirondack and the specs intrigued me as a bit of an "Upgrade?" http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=2 http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=892
If you're not enamored with the Adirondack, how about a Wenonah Prospector? I know some folks talk about the high stems on the boat being tough to manage in the wind, but if you're considering a Camper, they both have the large stems. The Prospector will be easier to control than the Camper and is a much more rewarding "Paddle." I've paddled the Camper and the old Pathfinder (re-badged now as a Camper 15). IMHO, the Camper and Camper 15 feel like you're towing something when you paddle it? Solo on a windy day, yes the Prospector will be a handful at times ( I know I have one and paddled in 20+mph head wind all day yesterday). But it has good, predictable stability yet isn't a "Dog" to paddle. http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1525
Hope I didn't muddy up the water? But when I looked at his inventory, I felt compelled to put my two cents worth in!
in my experience Of the models you are looking at or that have been mentioned, I have owned four at one time or another.
Old Town Penobscot 16 – great all around boat, maneuverable enough to handle moving water, fast and straight tracking enough to do well flat water/lakes too. A great solo for a big guy (which I am). Felt a little tippy at first, but this is the boat that taught me what great secondary stability is all about. You get used to the tippy-ness, especially once you’ve tested the secondary stability and know how far you can go and still trust it.
Old Town Camper 16 – depends on what you want to do with it. Great for easy trips on flat water/lakes where you don’t want to go far or fast. We used it for just hanging out on the water, watching the wildlife, taking photos. Leisurely stuff. But it’s slow and likes to meander. A good fishing platform too. This was my wife’s favorite because it feels so steady while sitting still. I’d agree with Steve_In_Idaho in his assessment of the Camper. Unless you’re just hanging out on a smallish lake taking pictures, watching the birds, and doing a little fishing (and it sounds like you have bigger plans than this), I’d pass on the Camper.
Wenonah Spirit II – another great all around boat. A little bigger than the Penobscot 16. Probably about the same size as the Penobscot 17. Ours was a tuf-weave with tractor seats, which didn’t lend itself to solo work. I’d say this was a better flat water/lake cruiser than the Penobscot. Felt a little more stable when not in motion than the Penobscot, but not as stable feeling at rest as the Camper.
Wenonah Jensen 18 – my first canoe. Great boat. Fast, straight, and did I mention fast. Wife hated it because it feels really tippy, which, in fairness, it kind of does. However, as it was our first boat, we pulled some pretty dumb rookie mistakes and it never did make us swim. So in truth it’s actually very forgiving. Still, I’m not sure I’d suggest it as a first canoe. I think I’d appreciate it more now than I did then.
Of these four, I preferred the Penobscot for its versatility as a tandem or solo. If not for it’s solo-ability, I’d give the nod to the Spirit II. It’d be hard to go wrong with either.
How big are you and your tandem partner? My partner is pretty small, but I’m definitely not. Because of my size, the larger volume boats were a better fit. So as a tandem, the 17ft Spirit II fit us better than the 16ft Penobscot. If you’re both average sized, then the 16ft boats like the Penobscot, Aurora (which I believe is a short version of the Spirit II), and Adirondack should do fine. Otherwise, I’d lean toward the 17 footers.
It sounds like the Old Town Discovery 169 is no longer a consideration, but if it is I’d say this. I’ve never owned one, but my cousin has one and he’d love to have a Camper instead. The Disco is too heavy to want to bother with, so it sounds like they just don’t any more. (They’ve turned to kayaks apparently.)
Good luck in your search. Hope you find just what you need. Let us know how it goes.
First…I want to thank each and every one of you that contributed to this discussion and you should take great pleasure in knowing your comments was a big factor in my decision with a canoe purchase! I’ve been on message boards since the invention of such a thing I suppose. I know it’s hard to not think to oneself…“oh no, ANOTHER one of THESE posts!” Thankfully, many of you didn’t and gave me your insight, personal experience, and thoughts. Thanks again!
Secondly…I drove to Terrapin Outdoors yesterday at the last minute. I have been putting together a Malone canoe trailer the last few evenings. Was about finished Friday night when it was obvious 4 plates were missing that bolt the carrier to the frame(with u-bolts). Drove all over town trying to find something that would DO. Nada. So trailer or not I ended up driving to Terrapin to just “look.” 125 miles mind you. Was talking to my girlfriend on the way and had the idea that if I made up my mind on which canoe, see if TO could find a way for me to get it home.
Third…. WOW does TO have the INVENTORY!! Probably over 50 canoes and at least twice that many kayaks. This leads me to reaffirm an observation I’ve always known. Local business owners practically ALWAYS offer MORE…well EVERYTHING than a chain anything! Also freedom in service and pricing. No real canoe inventory at any of the “chains” around here even though listed on canoe manufacturers website.
Lastly…. I had practically all ready narrowed it down to two, Spirt II or Penobscot 17 RX. I walked around an marveled all the canoes and kayaks. Talked to Mike the owner about my situation. I ended up with a 2015 Old Town Penobscot 17 RX! That along with two Bending Branches Expedition Plus paddles and an Astral PFD!
The canoe was strapped to the top of my truck and way I went!