16' 6"
Length
33.5"
Width (in)
41–55
Weight (lb)
$2,599
Base MSRP

Escapade Options

  • Tuf-weave Flex-Core

    55 lb
    Fiberglass Composite
  • Flex-Core w/Kevlar

    53 lb
    Kevlar/aramid Composite
  • Ultra-light w/Kevlar

    41 lb
    Kevlar/aramid Composite
  • Graphite Ultra-light

    41 lb
    Kevlar/aramid Composite

    Escapade Description

    The Escapade defines efficiency and superb performance in one compact package. We-No-Nah redesigned this one in 2009, reshaping the bow and stern to improve efficiency, and adding more tumblehome to make solo paddling easier. A good fit for smaller paddlers, those who pack light, and people who prefer a shorter canoe. At 16'6" you can add a center seat to make it a maneuverable solo, as this is the most friendly length to switch between solo and tandem paddling. Truly a superior hull design and a great paddling canoe.

    Escapade Specs and Features

    • Structure: Rigid / Hard Shell
    • Seating Configuration: Solo, Tandem
    • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
    • Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
    • Ideal Paddler Size: Average Adult
    • Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced

    Wenonah Canoe, Inc.
    Escapade Reviews

    Read reviews for the Escapade by Wenonah Canoe, Inc. as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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    5

    Just a quick update on the…

    Submitted by: BradBJB on 9/27/2021

    Just a quick update on the Escapade. A few years ago I had added a center seat. I located it far enough behind the carry thwart so I could sit. It seemed a bit too far behind center and made the bow light. I finally bit the bullet and bought the hardware for the removable center thwart. Then I made a nice cherry web seat since the other one was cut too short to move forward. While doing all this fitting I took real measurements on the canoe, so now I can compare to the published specs. Wenonah says the gunnel is 29 1/2in. Mine is 30 1/4. Wenonah says max width is 33 1/2. Mine is 35 3/4. Weight is speced at 51 lb, mine is 51.4 lb. The width is interesting, don’t you think?

    5

    I have had the Escapade five…

    Submitted by: BradBJB on 9/8/2021

    I have had the Escapade five years. I bought it used and didn’t really know what it was. After I had it home and after some research I found out I had the Kevlar flexcore layup. It has been interesting over the past five years as my relationship with this canoe has evolved. In the past I have had wider canoes, such as a 18 ft Mad River Lamoile and a Souris River 16 ft. I got out of canoeing for awhile. Then I found this Escapade. It seemed a bit tippy. With inexperienced companions it seemed quite tippy. I found I was not using it much as I also have an Old Town Pack for going solo. But I have also learned with better paddlers like my son and granddaughter, the canoe seemed fine and fast. I have learned to appreciate the Escapade for what it is and what it is not. On my local lake I have been enjoying its performance. I added a center seat and enjoy going solo with a 280 cm kayak paddle. It is certainly much faster than the Pack, but is also 20 lb heavier! Boat wakes on my lake require close attention, but the Escapade can handle them. It certainly is not a Lamoile, which I took out on Lake Superior on a windy day with my daughter. I would not recommend it for big water in the wind, but it is fine on smaller water. This layup is moderate in weight to carry and I am still okay with it at 70 years of age. When I can’t lift it any more I will stick with the 33 lb Pack.

    4

    We recently purchased our…

    Submitted by: paddler542683 on 9/4/2019

    We recently purchased our Wenonah Escapade through Udo Wald and Janet Nichols at Back of the Beyond on Bainbridge Island. First voyage was Angle Lake in WA to get our feet wet on how she handles and were very impressed to say the least.

    This 16' 6" canoe glides effortlessly through the water and felt very stable once we got used to it. We decided on the kevlar version to make it easier to transport and handle as a tandem or solo canoe and don't regret it at all.

    Our second voyage was out in Puget Sound from Seahurst Park, WA and it handled very well in light wind and calm waters. It was a blast exploring the coastline down towards Three Tree Point. Once again the handling, balance, and overall feel of this canoe is amazing. A few rollers came in from the NW and she handled very well when it became a bit rough in spots.

    The fit and finish is 4 out of 5 stars as there are a few areas where the surface has a few minor blemishes in the finish. Considering the price and material used, it might be tempting to assume it would arrive in perfect condition. The small blemishes are purely cosmetic and don't affect performance or even the overall appearance, so it's not a concern.

    Working with Udo and Janet was the best experience ever. Udo was extremely helpful in helping us choose the right model, and he was very down to earth and practical in all of his recommendations. If you are in need of a canoe here in WA, make sure you reach out to Udo and he will definitely get you out on the water with the right canoe.

    4

    Have had the boat only a few…

    Submitted by: paddler236473 on 8/31/2015
    Have had the boat only a few weeks; paddled probably 40 miles on Columbia River. Very happy with it, but one aesthetic complaint: the gunnels and thwarts are beautifully done. Very nice. The seat bases, on the other hand, look like something I cobbled together in my garage! It's hard for me to imagine the same person designed the gunnels and thwarts and also the seat bases! Beautiful boat, overall, but the seat bases need work!
    5

    I submitted a review 7 years…

    Submitted by: paddler234568 on 6/4/2012
    I submitted a review 7 years ago....well, it is 7 years later and I still love the boat. My daughter is 20 years old and we just finished about our 20th race. The only caveat I'd have is that the front seat is a bit tight so it probably isn't the best for larger people. The only thing I'd change is to get it in white to hide the scratches. We paddle a lot of shallow rivers.
    4

    I purchased the Wenonah…

    Submitted by: paddler233656 on 6/21/2010
    I purchased the Wenonah Escapade 2 weeks ago after reviewing many models for the last year. I do a variety of canoeing in many types of conditions. Over half the time I solo. From my research, the Escapade seemed the best match for me. The Escapade replaces a royalex 16' Old Town Penobscot which I paddled for 22 years. I was looking for better speed, straighter tracking and also better solo handling. I do a variety of paddling so it is hard to find one canoe that fits for me. The Penobscot was a good choice for many years. My main reason to look at something different was that on flat water trips my wife and I had to paddle hard to keep up with our friends who own faster performance canoes (whereas they were taking it easy).

    The main trade off for me is for river trips where there are class I and sometimes class II rapids. Also I frequently canoe in low water conditions where scraping gravel and rocks is the norm. I soloed the Escapade down a reach of the upper St. Croix yesterday. Water was high so avoiding rocks was easy. I found the Escapade could handle the rapids quite well - mostly class I and one class II. I don't advocate this canoe for white water but I am not going to portage every time I see a riffle. I was very surprised at the stability. I went through some standing waves that appeared higher than the gunnels and it did not take on any water and I never felt in danger of tipping even when I got turned almost side ways. I found it very manuevarable. This was especially noticeable in that I had a stiff head wind the whole trip. The speed is excellent.

    For my canoeing, the main trade off is that the Tuff Weave gel coat is very easily scratched as compared to the royalex hull I am used to. So rock avoidance is now a high priority whereas with the Penobscot it was an afterthought. Overall, I think the Escapade performs better than I had anticipated for stability and maneuvarability. It is fast and fun to paddle and a "pretty" canoe at that.

    5

    Purchased the Escapade new…

    Submitted by: guest-paddler on 11/7/2006
    Purchased the Escapade new last year from Fluid Fun in Bristol, IN. Ours is Kevlar Flexcore lay-up. Weighs 51lbs. We love this boat! Owned an Adirondack in Royalex, and wanted something a little lighter and faster. Boat is stable, fast, and has the infamous Wenonah glide. I am overall, very satisfied with this purchase. I would buy it again in a heartbeat.
    5

    I was going to buy a MN II…

    Submitted by: paddler231360 on 10/19/2005
    I was going to buy a MN II when the dealer had me try out the Escapade in the Kevlar ultralight layup. I was looking for a "second" boat for tripping with my family and the solo possibilities and of the smaller boat was attractive because I figured that I could always ferry extra gear in my 18'6" stripper (White Guide design). Paddling the Escapade sold me on it. This boat does everything well. It is a joy to paddle solo and empty as I did nearly every weekend during July and August. We took it on a week-long trip to Isle Royale and were surprised at its capability as a tripping boat. It carried 2 adults, a six-year-old and 2 relatively heavy gear bags much better than I expected. My paddling buddy who's more of a canoe nerd than I am was similarly impressed.
    4

    We've had Kevlar Flexcore…

    Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/19/2005
    We've had Kevlar Flexcore version of this canoe since May of this year and have had a full season of paddling thus far. We have done primarily recreational lake paddling but have also had about four days of river travel as well. We have paddled with gear and without, but always with our dog. This is our first canoe and we are very pleased. We've paddled others, but this canoe does not compare to anything else we've tried. It is fast! It maneuvers well, can carry load and is light. My only complaints are initial stability when paddling without a load and the durability of the gelcoat surface; it scratches a little easier than I had hoped. Overall, a wonderfully versatile and responsive canoe.
    4

    Our new Escapade in kevlar…

    Submitted by: mickjetblue on 8/21/2005
    Our new Escapade in kevlar has brought back adventure and thrill to the canoeing experience. The slider bow seat is great for trimming a 400 lb. load, including an 80 lb. dog. We easily maintain a cruising speed, and even when letting off, the canoe seems to keep the momentum on its own for some distance. Well, our well designed royalex canoe would do this too, but only at half of the speed of the Escapade. It's actually hard to believe that it is so fast, tracks so well, and also can be spun around if needed. I'll have to restrain the dog to the center area, though, as 80 pounds flopping down on either side next to the gunnel does affect handling, although not seriously. Initial stability is better than I expected, especially underway, and secondary is superb. And gosh darn, it even has capabilities for solo acrobatics and improvisation. Rated 9, instead of 10, because the kevlar high pricing adversely affects affordability, although it is not a fluke inherent to actual use of the canoe. Would buy again, and lower priced layups are available if canoe weight is not a concern.
    5

    I bought this boat in…

    Submitted by: paddler234568 on 6/5/2005
    I bought this boat in Tuffweave last week from Fluidfun in Bristol, IN (great experience) and just got back from its first paddle -- a local canoe marathon -- and I could not be much happier. I bought it with the intention of using it with my 13 year old daughter mostly with my wife occasionally taking a center seat. I considered some larger canoes like the Sundowner, Spirit II and the Escape. The first two felt very slow by comparison. The Escape seems about as fast (it was 1 ft longer), but front is flared and my daughter had a harder time reaching when in the front. We tried the Solo II and might have considered that except three people was impossible.

    The boat tracks great. We could trim it out well with the front sliding seat. It is a great physical fit for my daughter and me. And it is fast....

    4

    I was ready to buy a Solo…

    Submitted by: guest-paddler on 4/1/2005
    I was ready to buy a Solo Plus when the dealer showed me this boat. It's slightly wider than the Solo Plus and thus more stable for paddling tandem. But it's not as wide as most tandems, so quite suitable for paddling solo as well. I've got a Kevlar layup with three web seats. It's a very forgiving boat, great stability and tracking, and only 40 lbs!

    All and all a very versatile and enjoyable boat. The only complaint is that the removable yoke uses very tight cotter pins with sharp metal edges. It's nearly impossible to slip the pins all the way in without cutting a finger-- really wished they'd gone the gunwale clamp route rather than use cotter pins.