Wenonah Escapade or Souris River Quetico

[algurney]

I am looking at these to boats and looks like I will pick one of them. I will use it as a solo boat most of the time but on occassion will be using it tandem.

Does anyone have feedback for me on the best choice?

[mt_pa_paddler]

Escapade - Quetico

I have had a beautiful Escapade UL Kevlar with wood trim and tractor seats, for two years now. We (wife and I) have looped the St Regis ponds, floated it into Low's pond and battled the chop on Cranberry pond a couple of times (ps they are all ponds to me!). We have had it on most all local ponds here at home too. We love its boat, its a jack of all but master of none, it does everthing well for us. It is fast too, the only kayacks going past us are sea kayacks. I have soloed this boat and have a great time rolling on its side and swinging it around, but this boat goes way better with two paddlers. I could not imagine soloing it with a load. I too, looked a those Soris things but a few simple factors crossed them off my list in short order. Souris boats have only a few US dealers, the shape of the boat looks primative and is 4 inches wider than the Escapade, and if they were so great why are there no dealers in or near the dacks! Wenonah used the same type of rib system as Souis years ago and they have abandon that method in favor of using the poly foam core on the bottom of the boat and also for the ribs up the side of the boat. Yes the foat core will dent if smashed onto a rock but I reccomend sending the bow paddler to paddling school! Mine sure needs to go, I have no view pasted the bow paddler to see what we are going to hit! Souris does not publish a complete list of specs either and that is important when comparing boats. If you are looking to solo most of the time I would buy a solo boat and pick up a cheap tandom from ebay or craigslist. If you what to see any picks drop me a line.