On a whim I found a Canadienne on Craigslist outside Augusta, ME. When I was finally able to settle down and purchase a canoe of my own, I wanted a boat that could handle weight for a few weeks if needed but would perform well as a weekend warrior. I have used a variety of canoes in my life, most have been what I refer to as "program boats" that were virtually indestructible but lacked in performance. I have worked as a professional outdoor educator with various wilderness schools over the last decade. For the story of Ralph Frese, Google "Mr. I have also paddled the 16' Kevlar version and enjoyed it (especially the weight) but my 6'3" frame felt a bit constrained, especially when wearing boots. Unfortunately, this is beyond my abilities at this time. The remedy was to remove the metal and replace with wood. Ralph did tell me, long ago, that the Canadienne was built for wooden gunnels and that the metal ones slightly warped her shape. Despite the weight of the fiberglass model, heavy by today's standards, this canoe resembles a leaf on the water when launching and is highly forgiving for the novice. I have found it to be a workhorse on multi-day trips, a delight for two paddlers (who are, of course, suited for each other), and an amazingly responsive boat to solo (and if you solo, lay her over just a bit until the secondary stability is slightly engaged). I bought this canoe from the designer, Ralph Frese, used about 18 years ago.
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