Good place to buy a used canoe?

cardboard_boat1

I’m thinking about buying a canoe and would like your advice on the best local places.  A used canoe would be perfectly fine as long as it is not going to leak. I’ve heard some of the outfitters up by the boundary waters sell used canoes from time to time but don’t know where or when to look for these sales. Any recommendations about places to avoid would be welcome too.

23 Comments

Rob

about 15 years ago

Garage sales and Craigslist

Mary

about 15 years ago

I think at the end of most summers, Brule River Canoe Rental (a bit east of Superior) has some used canoes for sale, but I suppose that doesn't do you much good right now...

http://www.brulerivercanoerental.com/

edgeways

about 15 years ago

If you are looking for a good model used canoe http://www.redrockstore.com/used.html  has some for sale, they are pricey but mose of the modles listed are very good canoes.

If you are willing to settle a heavy as sin impossible to sink, pretty stable the Old Town Rolex types canoes are usually around $500 new.

zman

about 15 years ago

Go to craigslist, (the cities will have more listings than Duluth) and search for canoe in the boat section.  There are a TON of great deals out there.  We bought a Kevlar Winona canoe last year as a wedding present to some friends for 1/2 face value.  There are really some good deals if your not afraid to look / drive

Tim K

about 15 years ago

Link Bros. in Minong has a scratch and dent area with deep discounts. I have friends who bought a very nice fb 18' with a raised stern for $150! The problems were truly only cosmetic and the factory scratches disappeared into plain old wear and tear scratches after one BWCA trip!

pH

about 15 years ago

Better deals on used outfitter canoes in the fall, note many are spoken for ahead of time.  I know Piragis in Ely sells off their rental fleet every year.  Red Rock does the same with their Souris Rivers- dig those LeTigre's. Me-ow.

Spring Creek outfitters is kind of quirky, but helpful shop.  Behind the T.C. in Iron Mountain. Not so good with the email, try the phone.

Megan

about 15 years ago

Piragis sells a majority of their fleet off in the fall.  It's a first come first serve sorta deal.  Some of the boats are barely used, some more so than others.  Having put some time in up there, I can tell you that the outfitting crew does maintenance every time they come in from a trip. They also get cosmetic blems from Wenonah to sell.  Check out their link:  http://www.piragis.com/usedcanoeandkayak.html 

Paddling.net has classifieds and I have successfully sold a couple boats on that site. 

You may also want to check with Ski Hut.  I know Potter has a good relationship with Wenonah and I believe he gets blems from time to time. At the very least, I'm sure he would call down there to see what's available. 

It's not local, but Rutabaga Paddlesports in Madison does a lot of trade ins and has a rotating stock.  They are fair to deal with. Call 1-800-I-Paddle.  And since I travel there at least twice a month, I'd bring it back for you. 

Interestingly, there is a rep that lives in the area and I know they often sell their samples.  There used to be two reps-- but HJ retired from the gig but he still may have boats to sell.  I'm not sure they want me giving their digits out but I'll tell them about this post so they can weigh in. 

As far as what to look for-- that's a loaded question.  Email me at megankress (at) gmail (dot) com. 

Oh, btw-- I work as a sales rep in the paddlesport industry. I know more than I care to.

Ruthie

about 15 years ago

We got our kevlar Wenonah canoe from Piragis used and our royalex Mad River canoe from Sawbill.  Both were great to work with and we got good 'boats' for the money.

Kitty Brand

about 15 years ago

Ely still has TONS of last years canoes for sale from the most, if not all it's outfitters. A drive to my fair city would be a great idea.

David

about 15 years ago

The outfitters up north do sell some their canoes each year.  You can go to their websites as they usually post what they are selling off, this includes gear as well as canoes.  I picked up a used Wenonah with Voyageur North in Ely for $1100.  So, if price is a factor you may need to look elsewhere.

Cory

about 15 years ago

I second Rutabaga Paddlesports. I purchased my Souris River Quetico 17 Kevlar only used once for $1400. Well worth the drive to Madison for me.

Cheryl

about 15 years ago

Craigslist!  

http://duluth.craigslist.org/

Goecostore

about 15 years ago

Can you buy any of these in the UK?

creed miller

about 15 years ago

i have(1) bell magic kev-light ,(1) bell magic black-gold, (1) bell seliga kev-light. please advise a source to sell. thanks megan

michael

about 15 years ago

Hi Megan:
Regarding your bell magic kev-light & black-gold canoes mentioned above on July 21/09, are they still available? What model year are they? What is their condition/ any repairs done or required? What are you listing them at? Are they in Duluth?
Thanks, 
Mike 
Please contact me at [email protected]

Pat Kennedy

about 14 years ago

If these are still available, I'd love to talk to you.

Resol

about 14 years ago

April 24th 2010 there is an annual canoe and kayak auction at Midwest Mountaineering in Minneapolis' West Bank.  I've heard it is the largest canoe auction in the world.

Jude

about 14 years ago

I don't think Spring Creek Outfitters in Mountain Iron has been mentioned.  Cool place and they will trailer your selections right to a nearby mine pit so you can try boats out.  I have been very happy doing business there.  And they always have a "used" section. A real old fashioned and fun place to visit with great prices.
http://www.springcreek.com/a/j/

mk

about 14 years ago

Yes, Midwest Mountaineering Expo is quite an event.  Many folks bring their used canoes and kayaks to auction off.  It's fairly good size.  Do your research, however.  I've watched used boats go for close to retail.  And given that there is a discount (10%, maybe??) off on new boats at the hosting Midwest Mountaineering Expo, it seems silly. 

Also, coming up before the MWM Expo is Canoecopia in Madison, WI on March 12-15th. 

It's the largest paddlesports event in the country hosted by Rutabaga Paddlesports.  Several brands and their reps (that's me!) will be there working booths and helping Rutabaga sell their fine wears to the public.  I'm not sure how/if they have any used boat sales going on here but I will forward this to the owner and maybe he can weigh in. Plus, it's a good time to get out of Duluth and experience spring which we won't see for several more weeks. 

Michael & Creed-- I'm so sorry I didn't follow up with you back in July.  I wasn't staying on top of the thread.  Contact me if you still have questions.  megankress (at) gmail (dot) com.

Grandmaison

about 14 years ago

Paul and I got a sweet deal on a used Wenonah from Piragis. It was used for one season and was in pretty good condition.

Cory Fechner

about 14 years ago

I purchased my used Souris River from a private party at Rutabaga. Rutabaga had a ton of great used canoes, if you find the right deal it is worth the drive.  Then you can paddle the Kickapoo river in your new canoe on your way back. http://www.rutabaga.com/ 
Purchased all my kayaks from craigslist.com.

Siwi

about 14 years ago

I purchased a factory second Bell Magic at The Canoeist in Two Harbors (still not sure what the blem was!). They are a new shop that specializes in canoeing and camping gear just out of Duluth. I think they also carry Mad River, Wenonah, and some others. It's a small shop, so if they don't have what you want, they'll get it. Mike is great to work with!
www.TheCanoeist.com

bluenewt

about 14 years ago

I got a great used canoe from Midwest Mountaineering years ago.

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