Topic: Wenonah Aurora — Adventure Canoe

This topic has 7 voices, contains 8 replies, and was last updated by Always January (Randy) 596 days ago.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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September 22, 2010 at 4:15 pm #33046
Always January (Randy)	My wife and I bought this 16 foot Aurora literally a couple of weeks after our first time being in a canoe. It’s taken a good year to appreciate what a great boat we bought. It’s very versatile, with enough rocker for moving water and yet it’ll still move right along on flatwater with a bit of a J’ on the stern. At 65lbs it’s not ultra-light, but I can still carry it a good quarter of a mile on my shoulders before it cuts off all the nerve endings (perhaps I just need some portage pads), and I can load it on the car by myself. Paddling solo it handles nicely flipped around seated on the bow seat facing the stern. It also heels over nicely and I can paddle it comfortably with the gunwale just out of the water (great secondary stability!). My only complaint is that when I paddle kneeling in the bow I feel a little cramped. I’ve considered moving that seat back a few inches. Capacity wise I find it just about perfect. I can load enough gear for a few nights including a cooler full of good food and beer and still not feel too crowded on the paddle out. We also have a drop in seat that fits in the middle that both of our kids (3 and 7) can sit comfortably on. Not sure yet how I’m going to get the gear AND the kids out canoe camping. I’ll either have to take two trips, pull a pack raft, or get another canoe Here’s a few of my favorite shots: Wow, that’s a lot of photos….Sorry about that
September 22, 2010 at 4:26 pm #33047
Bryan Hansel	Great photos! Treat yourself to a set of Chosen Valley Canoe yoke pads. Your shoulders deserve a break.
September 22, 2010 at 5:39 pm #33048
Always January (Randy)	Thanks for the link! Unfortunately (or is it fortunately) there aren’t many opportunities for portaging out this way, but occasionally I’ll have to go half a mile or so to the put-in. Those would make life so much more enjoyable
September 25, 2010 at 1:48 pm #33049
Dennis	Very nice photos. That canoe looks like one of the best family investments you will ever make.
September 27, 2010 at 8:04 am #33050
Aggroman	Beautiful photos Randy!
September 28, 2010 at 2:29 pm #33051
DamnTrue	Great photos. We are a Wenonah family as well. Bought a used Adirondack from CC&K. Love it.
October 3, 2010 at 11:09 am #33052
Mountain Man	Hey Randy! Beautiful pictures! Where are the pictures taken? My family (2 kids and a wife) are looking for a canoe. We’re considering the Aurora, Spirit II, and a few other models from some local Arkansas manufacturers ie Mohawk and Two Brothers.
October 4, 2010 at 1:36 pm #33053
BWCAJohn	Great pics Randy. Wenonah canoes have such nice lines. I’m a big fan. It’s cool that you are getting your kids out canoeing at a young age. Some of my best memories are paddling when my Dad and Mom and family when I was younger.
October 4, 2010 at 6:13 pm #33054
Always January (Randy)	@MountainMan – The Aurora fits our family very well, but none of us is very tall or large. The footroom in the bow can be a little tight, and I would think anyone 6′ or taller might find it uncomfortable. Other than that, I love the Aurora. The Spirit II is a foot longer model that is very similar to the Aurora. I rode in my friends during a river cleanup day, and it was a great size canoe to load up with stuff. One thing I didn’t like about the Spirit II is that it has a thwart right behind the bow set, so you can’t really flip it around and solo it from the bow seat facing the sterm like I can with my Aurora. I usually kneel when I paddle like this anyways, but I like to have options. BTW, the photos are from various places in Northern California. @John – The kids have a ball out in the canoe. I’ve already taken the older one (my daughter) out canoe camping, just the two of us. I hope they grow up loving it