I've paddled a 17' Jensen, a 17' Sundowner, and I own an 18' Jensen. IMHO:
Of the three the 18' Jensen is the best, and a boat you should consider.
Quote:
> Q1. Am I better off in a 17' Sundowner even though it
> doesn't paddle solo as good as a Jensen?
Both the 17' Jensen and the 18' Jensen track better and are correspondingly
quicker than the Sundowner (although the Sundowner is still better than most
canoes on the market). Since you suggested you were taking an 8-yr-old, the
tracking will be helpful as you will likely do most of the work.
I also like the open feeling of the Jensen, especially the 18'. This feeling
comes from the fact that the boat that isn't very deep. The deep bow of the
Sundowner will feel much safer, but I find it less comfortable to reach over
the bow gunwales when paddling the Sundowner.
As for solo paddling... I had Wenonah install removable center seat when they
built my Jensen, and I do occasionally use it solo. For a tandem it paddles
well as a solo, so long as you accept the large turning radius.
Quote:
> Compared to the Jensen, the Sundowner
> Q2. Will the Jensen handle at least Class 1 water and a
> lightly choppy bay?
I've paddled my 18' Jensen for two weeks in the Boundary Waters and, loaded
with a week's gear plus two 200 lb. men, white caps come right to the
gunwale. (I will admit it taxes our skill in such heavy water to keep the
boat dry, but we have manage it with careful headings and t***.) Despite
the fact that the 17' Jensen is an inch deeper than the 18', I am less
confident of its ability in such situations. With that deep bow it's hard
to imagine how anyone could let waves come over the gunwales of a Sundowner.
Quote:
> Q3. Other than portage, what advantage will a Kevlar provide
> over Tuf-weave?
We have a skin-coat, and it is a great canoe. However, my friend's Tuf-weave
is just as good on the water. On the portage trail the story is different.
I also think the gel coat canoes are more durable than skin coat, but I've
found I can patch the sharpest points of the bow and stern with a little
epoxy, and most people can't tell it has ever been repaired. The epoxy is
also harder than the skin coat. (Keep in mind that the granite rocks of the
Boundary Waters will show wear on most any canoe bottom.)
Quote:
> Q4. Should I not loan it out to my brothers for fear that
> they may dump their families overboard?
I've worked with Boy Scouts for many years, so I've seen a lot of
inexperienced canoeists. Still, the only people I've seen thrown from
well-designed canoes were either trying to capsize or doing something
seriously stupid (like standing on the gunwales near the stern).
The Jensens feel unstable to most inexperienced paddlers, but they really
aren't. That said, it is always prudent to have experience in the stern if
the water is dangerous.
Dave