Jensen

I have a fiberglass Jensen-18. This has been a great boat for our family. We have used it on small local waters, we have raced with it, and we have tripped with it in BWCA and Alonguin PP. It is a pleasure to paddle.

I was given my Jensen Eighteen for one of my many twentyninth birthdays. I walked into the Great outdoors Provision Company with my wife and saw a beautiful Alaskan Ivory Jensen in kevlar Cross ribs. My wife bought it and I have had it ever since.

I have raced the Jensen in Two 70 miler Clintons, one Ninety miler Fall Classic in NY, Many 40 miler LumberRiver Challenges here in NC. It is a great boat. I have had it loaded down with gear on boy scout trips and still ran circles (Literally) around the other boats, even though I only had a scout up front. Last year I took a non canoe racer who only knew pig boats out and convinced her to paddle the 70 miler. Even though she was middle aged and less then limber she found the Jensen stable, as do I.

As with all long boats the Jensen is succectable to winds and wanting to weathercock when riding high. When I had a load of gear in the boat I did not noticed it. Rear Quarting waves are and issue, but it is less of an issue in this boat then in many other 18 footers I have paddled. Many people run these boats in the standard traditional Class(Stock) as a dedicated racer. I think they are missing out by not throwing in a few packs and seeing how well the canoe runs loaded.

As I said my boat is kevlar/crossrib/gelcoat which puts it at about 60 pounds. It carries well with a sculpted yolk that I had bought in Canada.

I would rate this boat 9 1/2 if I had it in skin coat ultralight lay up. Since it is heavier then I want at my advance age of twentynine(plus)i only rate it an eight. Gene Jensen and WeNoNah have done a great job on this boat and I recommend it to any body who wants to enjoy Paddling a fine canoe.

I picked up my Wenonah Jensen18 ultra light last week. This is the way to go if you're looking for the Jensen18 model. At 39lbs it is zero work to carry and on the water she guides forever with easy paddling. I sold my Jensen18 in the toughweave to get the the ultra light layup. Awesome move. The only thing I did, was add a kneeling thwart so soloing comfort is there. I rate this canoe an easy 10 !! all the way.

As a canoe fan for 40 years, I had a 200 lb fiberglass lake luxury cruser, a perfect canoe for 2 week down a slow river. Also the last comment is from my son Erik. His 110% right, it is a delight to push thru the water with so little power output.

I purchased my Jensen 18 about a year ago based on the reviews on this site and a test paddle I took at Rudabagas in Madison, WI, the day before "9/11". My criteria was a fast light weight day and weekend tripper. The Jensen kevlar was all that and more. Previously my wife and I paddled in seperate kevlar kayaks, but when she paddled with me in the Jensen, she sold her kayak and only paddles with me in in the canoe. The canoe is fast, quiet and stable. It very easy to put on the top of our SUV and carry to the water. It is worth very penny. The people at Wenonah and Rudabegas were very nice and helpful too. They made the decision very easy.

What can I say about the awesome Jensen 18'..fast, stable, good lines, and the list goes on !! If you looking for a great canoe that can take a fair load, travel real quick, and tracks with ease..than test drive the Jensen 18' you'll be a happy canoer. Mine is an older model of the tuff-weave ultra light construction. It weighs about 57lbs. If I was rich like some brother I know..I'd buy the kevlar ultra light lay-up. If I had to pick only one canoe to have for life, the Jensen 18' wins all the way.

I have canoed for forty years in a wide range of canoes via the waterways of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and California. I currently own three canoes, an 18' Jensen, a 17' Tripper, and a 17' Grumman.
The 18' Jensen is used for all paddling except those times when I will in a twisty river or will be loaded with gear for a week or more. It is extremely fast, quiet, and seaworthy for cruising situations. Mine is the non-pigmented Kevlar gel-coat with cross ribs version and weighs 52 lbs. With a pair of bent shaft paddles and two people in reasonable physical shape, it quickly glides across the water with no noise, no wake, and astonishing speed. This boat is a tribute to what can be accomplished with a beautiful design and human power.

Gene Jensen has designed close to the perfect cruiser. Fast!, easy to paddle, nice to look at. The Jensen 18 paddles like a dream and is usually considered the best of its class. I've raced mine with my son in class II downriver races and it is hard to beat. We lost to a Kevlar Sundowner17 with two pros in it. If you are looking for a racer/cruiser/fast tripper you can't go wrong with the "18".