7/25/26 With most of our canoes back in the canoe yard at Sawbill amid the BWCA closure, I have been reflecting on this timeless mode of transportation that has been briefly halted. There are so many little details that make these works of art the best way to explore the Boundary Waters. With that being said, I thought I would briefly run through each of the canoe models we offer.
To start, we have roughly 170-180 canoes in our fleet, depending on the year. We carry both Northstar and Wenonah canoes. Both companies are based in Minnesota and are premier canoe manufacturers.
Around 85 of our canoes are from Northstar. The most common model in our fleet is the Seliga. This canoe is a 17 foot, kevlar canoe with a gunnel width of 36. It is best known for its overall ability, a smooth stable ride with elite carrying capacity and a knack for its touring style. This canoe will comfortably carry 2 people on extensive length trips and is my personal favorite setup for being able to fish in.
Joe Seliga was a wood canvas canoe builder in Ely, MN and this is his design. Northstar Canoes has re-incarnated this classic Boundary Waters canoe in modern ultra-light materials.
Our other 2-person kevlar canoe from Northstar is the Pearl. This smaller canoe is an option for a quick day trip around the Kelso Loop or up and down Sawbill Lake. Sitting at 15ft 9in, this canoe is a little shorter but that is supported by its high stability. It doesn’t have any thwarts, so it can even be turned around and paddled backwards from the bow seat to be paddled as a large solo canoe for individuals with more gear or a furry friend or a parent/child combo.
Shifting to our Northstar 3-person kevlar canoe models, we carry both the Northwind 18 and the B19. World renowned for their stability and carrying capacity, these canoes are the go to for a full family touring canoe. The Northwind 18 is a smaller 3-person canoe. At only 43 lbs, made up of lightweight kevlar material, it is perfect for a day trip with 3 adults, or for a family for an overnight trip . The Northstar B19, our widest canoe, retains the status as our most stable and high capacity canoe. Despite its size, it is still very light at approximately 50 lbs. Ideal for carrying the entire family with a half ton carrying capacity. Best for fishing with multiple people or making room for an overnight trip with a dog.
The final model in our Northstar lineup is the Northwind Solo. Weighing in at only 27 lbs, this 15ft 5in solo kevlar canoe is ideal for long distance trips or a pleasant day paddle. With a unique layout just for our canoes here at Sawbill, this version of the Northwind Solo has the seat set back from the center along with a fixed yoke, making it perfect for tripping. No need to install the yoke at portages, and your gear pack will counter balance the seat being set back from the center. This is great for quick portaging and more time on the water.
Overall, Northstar Canoes contain an elliptical hull design which means the ellipses have gentle curves and good initial stability when paddling.They also have a design referred to as flare. Flare creates unparalleled secondary stability. When a canoe is leaned over it keeps getting wider, which means it keeps getting more stable and resistant to capsize. The benefit of an elliptical hull and flare is a canoe that handles well for all paddlers (Northstar Canoes Stability).
Shifting to our selection of Wenonah Canoes, our most commonly chosen canoe is the Minnesota II. This model is considered the most efficient, straight-tracking 2-person canoe ever made. It holds the title of being a performance touring canoe which means that it can cover a lot of ground quickly with consistent paddling. This makes the MN2 efficient on the water and a great option for longer distance paddling.
We also carry the larger version of the MN2; the 3-seater Minnesota 3. A 20 foot canoe with 3 seats travels faster and easier than all other tandem canoes. It can haul luggage quickly to a basecamp destination or take your family and friends on a quick sprint around a 3-day loop. It has a removable center seat that can convert it to a high capacity 2-person canoe for a long expedition.
Additionally, we also have one of the company’s solo canoes available for rent, the Wenonah Wilderness. This canoe paddles very efficiently due to its lightweight nature but holds plenty of gear. It has a stable hull and moderate rocker which allows the canoe to be paddled while sitting on the seat or kneeling. This kevlar canoe is 15ft 4in and weighs roughly 30 lbs. Similarly to the Northwind Solo, we also have these canoes laid up with a fixed yoke and the seat set back from the center, making it great for multi-day canoe trips.
The final Wenonah canoe we have is the trusty T-Formex Spirit II, 2-person canoe. This is a highly durable canoe, made for late season trips with less than ideal weather conditions. It does, however, run much heavier at 73 lbs so it is a budget friendly option or good for a quick day trip. It is much more durable than the kevlar canoes but more effort for portaging and paddling. Our specific Sawbill Spirit II’s come with web seats, the same design as in all kevlar canoes.
We also maintain a small number of another type of canoe, the Grey Duck Vision 18. Designed specifically for the Boundary Waters and Quetico, it specializes in being able to be comfortable and stable for family paddling and fishing. It has a shallow arch hull design for secondary stability and maintains precision and straight-tracking. This kevlar canoe is 44 lbs, fits 2-people, and is slightly longer than other models at 18’ 9”. This canoe has modern resin-infusion technology with the added protection of Maxguard premium gelcoat. It is considered a hybrid between a performance and touring based canoe.
The final canoe in our lineup is the trusty Alumacraft. An aluminium 17’ touring canoe weighing in at 70lbs is the epitome of stability and durability. A seemingly bulletproof canoe that handles all conditions comfortably due to its ability to track very straight with its added keel. Great functionality for fishing and hauling big gear loads. Also a more budget friendly option compared to the lightweight kevlar canoes.
All together these are the types of canoes and models we currently carry in our fleet. When the wilderness opens completely back up, we want you to feel as ready for your next adventure as we are. There is a canoe for everyone and finding the right one for you starts here at Sawbill. Feel free to reach out with any questions and we would be happy to explain more about these lovely canoes.
-Gary