Hi all,
I would be interested in your views on the venture symphony 16" and if it would be a good canoe for a beginner. I also like the venture ontario with is a foot smaller.
Many thanks Andy C
Hi Andy,
Can't comment on the Symphony, but the Ontario is a great boat, we've just bought one for a "Beginner", they're great in a straight line, are bomb proof, have good stability, are easily portagable and are extreemly well priced.
My only concern would be that you mentioned in another post that you want to get the family out, the Ontario may start to struggle with more than two adults in it, and certainly isn't the boat if you want to do bumpy stuff...
Personally I rate them VERY highly, but you do need to think about what you're going to us it for...
Speak to Graeme @ YC, he's not sold anyone something they don't like and if you like Venture he's a dealer to boot...
Cheers
Red.
My wife has the Ontario, I agree with what Red say's. It is a great boat for solo or two light people.Saw an Ontario go down Jackfield Rapids with two blokes in, it swamped
. One thing Red missed out is the weight, they are very light for a plastic boat.
Cheers
Tim
(29-09-09 12:58 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]One thing Red missed out is the weight, they are very light for a plastic boat.
Hex cues Me.....
Read 'em and weep....
(29-09-09 12:50 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ].... are easily portagable ......
But seriously Andy, yes they are lighter than a lot of people believe...
Cheers
Red.
(29-09-09 01:29 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Thats it ...handbags at dawn
I'm sure Dawn is getting fed up with us throwing our handbags at her...
Wouldn't you rather do Yukon's at Dusk....
Cheers
Red.
(29-09-09 01:36 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ] (29-09-09 01:29 PM)Tim Wrote: [ -> ]Thats it ...handbags at dawn
I'm sure Dawn is getting fed up with us throwing our handbags at her...
Wouldn't you rather do Yukon's at Dusk....
Cheers
Red.
done.... next time we meet
back onto topic, what about the Venture Ranger, they do both 14 & 16 ft?
Cheers
Tim
Ontario is a good canoe for a beginner,
stable and easy to paddle, tandem or solo, good value for money, and light for a plastic canoe,
Corelight isnt particularly light, but compared to the Venture prospector, its a lot lighter, due to the low freeboard, (low sides)
and has its own buoyancy due to the construction of the hull
fast canoe, good on lakes and flat water, and low freeboard helps in windy conditions.
but can be hard work on narrow rivers with tight bends,
the Ontario tracks well in a straight line, and takes minimal user input to keep going in a straight line, however, these characteristics that make it a great flatwater canoe, are the very things that make it harder to turn than other canoes with more rocker on the hull(banana shaped)
as with all canoes, edging over to one side enables the canoe to be turned easier, however in choppy water, you want to keep it level to prevent the water from entering...
all in all im very pleased with mine,
Don't know about the 'Symphony' but the 'Ontario' seems to handle things well. Not well suited to ww though. Something to note, is the lack of space below the seats. So I you're a kneeler, getting in/out is very awkward. And in an emergency, getting out would be problematic.
TGB
I am more than pleased with my Ontario, which I got from YC. I agree with everyone on this. I never intended mine for other than solo use and it was rigged accordingly by the makers. If you read the makers sales information it can tell you a lot. For instance, the maximum payload is low for two people and the adage; two “light” people should be cautionary.
The read also advises against adorning the vessel. I have used mine for camping etc and the turning abilities are slowed considerably with cargo in the bow or stern. On the other hand, used otherwise empty as a solo it is surprisingly handy and I noticed bow recovery from a dip is very fast. It has stayed dry for me, touch wood. As a single, the extra payload allows for travelling gear. Mine has bounced back from a few knocks too. I am more than happy with it. Perhaps it isn’t the best in all situations but the best for me has to be the one I’ve got!
kind regards
Someone mentioned the Venture Ranger. What is everyones opinion of the Ranger 14 as an all round boat? I'd be likely to be paddling it solo both flat water instructing use and for moving water. What are it's capabilities on moving water? I'd be looking for something that would cope with grade 2 with a bit of grade 3. Is this possible in an all round boat?
Hope I'm not hijacking the thread but this seems to follow the direction of the thread and might also be of use to Andy C
My brother has a Ranger 14.
1. Goes great as a tandem or solo. Responsive to going forwad & backwards.
2. Is a deep hull, so a dry ride.
3. Tracks well for a 14' but turns on a dime when leaned.
4. Stable even in windy conditions on flatwater.
5. Suitable for UK G2-3 but could be a pig in G3 if paddling solo, (due to the hull depth).
6. Rides high in the water, if not weighted with gear. Not a problem on flatwater but would add to piggishness on harder ww if paddled solo.
7. They're heavy... "He's my brother."
TGB