Ugh. The Self-bailer . . . It doesn't really work below about 5 mph. Unfortunately, if I ever really need it, I'm sure there will be enough water in the boat that hitting 5 mph won't be likely, so I wish I hadn't ordered it. I just carry a battery powered electric bilge pump when I'm on open water. The other change I wish I'd made is an extra full-boat layer of aramid for durability, especially under the core. I think my "dream" solo tripping boat is this Voyager in Northstar's coreless IXP layup. Aside from those two small things, I love it. :-)

It was about 35 pounds before the rudder and carbon decks. With them, it's just under 40. Add the spray decks and it's about 43.

I made it. Its honeycomb core with a scrim on the upper (inner) side, cut to size and beveled, then bedded in resin, covered with carbon fabric, and vacuum bagged in place.

I store a number of canoes outdoors in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. They're all covered with breathable, UV-resistant covers to protect them from the sun and I clear snow off of them every time I shovel the porch. I see a lot of canoes that are crushed by a snow load, especially in the heavy early and late winter snows (not mine!). 😞

I have a number of sea kayaks and surf skis and use them regularly. No matter what I do to the Voyager C1, it will always be the wrong choice for surf launches and landings and will be less than ideal in rough water and heavy winds on open water. If I'm tripping on big, open water like the Great Lakes or oceans, I'll probably take my Rockpool Taran 18. However, the Voyager is much preferrable to the sea kayaks and skis if I'm on big inland lakes with portages or switching between rivers and lakes. It's also more comfortable and much drier than a ski or sea kayak, especially if I'm putting in long 10+ hour days. It's certaibly not a do-everything boat, but the Voyager can be a very efficient, comfortable, mile-eating platform in the right situations.

Have you paddled the Wenonah Prism? I purchased one last year. And did not feel comfortable in it. In a 4 day trip with tons of fishing and traveling. My butt never left the seat. At times I really wanted to shift a pack . But didn't dare. I loved the other mods