Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

I'll throw in my 2 cents worth here. While both Bell and Wenonah make great canoes, there are several boats out there that will make you happy. Of Bell vs Wenonah, that is a close one, but I'd probably go with Wenonah if I was looking, but then I'd have to also compare it to various Mad River models. "Stan" would be a good person to ask about a Wenonah. She has one that if I didn't have my Mad River, I would be looking for one like hers.

I doubt that you will ever find one, but if you ever come across a Mad River Endurall for sale, BUY IT. I haven't found anything that it can not do, from solo big whitewater to tandem loaded over gross 1200 pound cargo barge duty. Ask my tandem partner what she thinks about it's stability and maneuverability. Ask anyone who has overnighted with us on the Buffalo, how much it can carry, and still not ground out anymore than anyone else, while still going anywhere I ask it. It's an extremely forgiving boat, either empty and solo, or tandem and full past the gunnels.

It's 16 foot, 36" wide, 15 inch deep, shallow "V" hull, and of course the red ones are the best.

Paddle with me sometime, and I'll let you try it. What I find so wonderful is that Jim Henry got it so right the first time. Find me any other royalex boat made in 1972 to compare it to. Mine is still going strong.

Eric

And 1200 lbs gross is one heck of a lot of cookies!

HeyGutIt,

I am seriously considering investing in a Bell yellowstone tandem. Man, they are expensive, but, I can't find a bad review anywhere!!! I need a boat that will work well as a tandem, a solo, a tripper, paddle canadian style, handle boney Ozark streams and class II and stable enough to stand up in. Basically, the canoe of my dreams (for the price it better be). I'll use it mainly to overnight on the Buffalo, Mulberry, Jacks Fork, Eleven Point etc. Maybe a trip up to BWNP sometime?.....who knows what the future will bring. Anyway, you mentioned a "solo configuraton". What did you do? My main reservation with the YS is the placement of the thwarts. I plan to rearange the seating/thwart position and make it more user friendly.
suggestions?

Thanks,
Elchucko

It came through, elchucko!

I pounded one back!

That Bell Yellowstone is a great canoe. I tried it out along with the Mad River Explorer - you really cant go wrong with either.
I ended up getting the Explorer. I did alot of research and could not find one bad thing about the Explorer.

Bell is proud of their boats as far as $$$ goes. They are very pretty though. I will say though that after floating an overnighter with Gut It in his Bell - and my MAD RIVER. The Mad River is the boat that people stopped and noticed. Not saying anything bad about the Bell (nothing bad to say) - just saying. And Gut It was even asked - "Is that your Mad River - and he pointed at me saying nope its hers" Something about that bunny.

Karla - I would be interested in your Bell for sale. I would love to try it out. Need another boat.

Another great resource for info on these boats is KC Paddler in Peculiar, MO. Gary knows these boats. Give him a call - 816-779-1195 They even have a Bell Yellowstone if it hasn't sold yet. They also carry Wenonah as well.

Good luck in your search.