Gear Review: Wenonah Royalex Spirit II Canoe
Paddle through any conditions with this durable canoe from Wenonah.
[all-purpose canoe]
This bomber, versatile boat will see you through multiday Boundary Waters adventures or day trips on the local pond. “A perfect all-arounder,” says one tester. Credit the maneuverable hull shape and Goldilocks length—at 17 feet, it’s small enough for quick trips yet large and deep enough to carry a week’s gear. During testing on the Green River in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, the tandem cruised well, carved turns—thanks to 1.5 inches of rocker—and deflected windchop even when loaded to within inches of its gunwales.
And at less than 70 pounds, it was easy to haul ashore at night and load cartop for the journey home. Testers enjoyed the aesthetics and comfort of its web seats, ash yoke, and wood thwarts. But its best feature (beyond the versatile hull design) is its material: The rugged Royalex (an ABS plastic/foam/vinyl composite) bounced off rocks with no damage—while keeping the Spirit’s price tag from sinking your budget. $1,499; 69 lbs.; wenonah.com