Wenonah's Spirit II is a 17-foot tandem canoe intended for day trips, camping and quiet-water touring. Its published dimensions pair a 36-inch maximum width with a moderate one-and-a-half-inch rocker.
A versatile hull brief
The manufacturer positions the Spirit II between short manoeuvrable canoes and long fast tripping hulls. It has sufficient room for two paddlers and camping equipment without being dedicated solely to racing or fishing.
On a small lake, a wide, predictable hull can help a group enjoy a relaxed outing. It remains essential to load the boat symmetrically and stay within the manufacturer's stated capacity.
Materials affect lifting
Wenonah lists constructions including Flex-Core Tuf-Weave and lighter Aramid Ultra-Light, with representative weights of 58 and 42 pounds respectively. The same hull shape can therefore have a noticeably different portage burden.
The published weight relates to particular layup and trim combinations. Added seats, bags and other equipment still have to be carried to the launch point.
Depth and storage
The official table gives a 14-inch centre depth and 22-inch bow depth, helping describe the volume available for camping gear. With a 35-inch gunwale width, access and paddling position also influence comfort.
The actual seat placement and trim package should be compared with the crew's size and experience. Two paddlers may want a practice outing before a longer trip with a heavy load.
Keeping the trip within conditions
A tandem canoe can offer inexpensive exploration of lakes and gentle waterways, but its open hull needs a different safety plan from a motorboat. Wind, current and water temperature may be more consequential than the short distance on a map.
This is an original overview of a current Wenonah model, with its matching manufacturer image. The builder has not announced a new Spirit II launch today.
Primary source: official manufacturer model information. Independently written by Leisure Boat Guide.