I’ve posted prior asking for advice on my next canoe and received some really excellent guidance. I spent the last few weeks researching Nova Craft, Wenonah, Esquif, Mad River, North Star, and Old Town. I do have an OT Discovery 164 and it has been a great canoe.
I’ve really become enamored with Nova Craft. The only drawback I see is the cost. But let us not dwell on the $$. I’d like to ask and hear from the much more experienced here. It will be a buy and keep for as long as it lasts purchase. My OT 164 is from 1995 and needed new seats but otherwise excellent shape. No resale issue here. Kick that out of the equasion.
I spent some time looking at where the next decade would take me for canoe trips. Main use will be lakes and tributaries like found in the Allahash, Rangley, Moosehead, Sebago in Maine; a few trips to Boundry Waters; Algonquin in NY, and I would like to get into Canada (post COVID), specifically Quebec since it is so close and has lots of great opportunities. This is the main usage. While I won’t be seeking rapids or racing anytime I would think it realistic to run into class II every now and then, especially certain areas in high flow periods.
There will be a mix of tandem use with dogs and solo use with dogs. My dogs are 55lb and 85lbs so they need a little bit of room.
Nova Craft questions. I immediately was drawn to the Prospector 16 which was recommended by Nova but they also recommended Cronje 17. I’ll not get a chance to get any of these on the water to test out, certainly not when loaded up with a week’s worth of gear and food. So I’m blind here.
The only understanding I have is that the Prospector is more of an all arounder and more stable but creates more drag on open water? And the Cronje is smoother or faster on larger, open waters but isn’t as stable and offers less width? Maybe soneone can explain it a little better.
Material is a huge question as well. Tuff Stuff seems to be an ideal choice. What is the expected benefit of the Tuff Stuff Expedition? Is that more for those running white water above class II? Adds weight too.
I am in no rush to order and I realize chances of receiving one for the upcoming season is pretty nil. That is a ok.
Interested in your thoughts. Thanks, Sean.