User info. for Old Town Penobscot 16RX canoe

paddle daddy · 11-23-2010, 10:47 PM

I am considering buying a new Old Town Penobscot 16 Royalex canoe and would like to hear from paddlers who own or have paddled one. I am looking for light weight in Royalex, good glide, and good initial and secondary stability. This boat seems to have those qualities. I do mostly Class 1-3 rivers and some flatwater. I have a 16' Mohawk Whitewater (Royalex) now that has been a great boat but it is getting a bit heavy, (it can't be me getting older!) and the glide isn't the best. Any input is welcome!

le Metis · 11-25-2010, 06:55 AM

Were I to own a canoe livery, it would be stocked with the Penobscots for the serious canoeist, and the 158's for everyone else...there's a world of differance in the way the two handle. With a good deep water otter tail, or beaver tail paddle the Penobscot loaded for wilderness travel is pure joy either on rivers, or big lakes....

and speaking of paddles...it's kinda sad that Jeff Solway is no longer in the paddle making business. His ottertail Nashwaak was one of those paddles that had no equal. Mine, in solid cherry was stolen, and I would love to own another......

WoodBender · 11-26-2010, 10:54 PM

I own a Pennobscot 17 in Royalex. This design has no rocker, it is straight keeled. This gives it good tracking, for open water and lakes. It is a flatwater boat. For class 1-3 canoeing you want something with more rocker than the Pennobscot family. You're on the right track looking at Royalex for whitewater, but you also mention weight. If weight is the primary consideration then you may want to consider other materials like Kevlar (or even something more exotic).

MendyUSA · 11-30-2010, 10:30 AM

Rent or set up a test paddle of that 16' Penob. I think you might find that it's not going to paddle a heck of alot different than your Mohawk IMHO. Possibly better straight line efficiency, but that’s kind of hard to tell in short boats.

MendyUSA · 11-30-2010, 10:36 AM

Sorry just a second thought you might also want to paddle a Old Town 16 foot Camper it's an ABS version of an Old Town 16' Guide. Better initial stability due to a flat bottom but of course that sacrifces final stability "if" you can take it to the gunnel hanging on a brace.

paddle daddy · 12-01-2010, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the posts. You guys have given me some other things to think about!