So, does this canoe obsolete all others? No, because if you want an elevated level of a certain attribute, say tracking or capacity, then a specialized design may suit you better. But if you need a canoe that delivers a good level of all types of performance, the Spirit is ideal.

When Canoe & Kayak Magazine tested it, they concluded, "...this canoe is simple and functional. If you could have only one canoe to serve all your paddling needs for the rest of your life, the Spirit would be one of very few candidates."

This model has the longest history of any in the We-No-Nah line. Its full name is "The Spirit of We.no.nah II." Their first canoe in 1968 was named simply "We.no.nah." It was a highly-versatile yet performance-oriented hull. Today's Spirit II is a third-generation refinement of it.

At 17' long, it strikes a good balance between the efficiency of a longer hull and the maneuvering of a shorter one.

The Spirit is safe and roomy, too, having the capacity for medium-heavy trips. With two large people it draws just 4," leaving lots of reserve buoyancy for gear. With more load it becomes more stable yet still handles well, even on waves.

Should you have a Spirit? If no single We.no.nah model seems ideal due to its specialization, you likely need the wide versatility of our Spirit, or its cousins, the Heron, or Aurora. All have similar design aspects but differ in length. The Heron is the most agile and lightest, but the Spirit suits the greatest range of uses.

Also, you may consider the Champlain in certain cases. Similar in concept, this hull is significantly larger. It can better suit larger people, heavier trips, or families with multiple children. The Spirit, though, is more manageable.

The Spirit is made in three composite versions that deliver excellent paddling. It is also made from Royalex, which is the sensible choice for canoe-camping if rapids or rocky streams will be a factor.