Dealer of lightweight canoes?

[Questor]

Can you help me find a dealer of lightweight canoes in the Twin Cities metro area? I prefer an aluminum because of probable lower cost. Grumman used to make a 30 pounder. Are they still available?

I'd prefer to find a used one if one is available. Do you know of good boat classifieds?

Thanks.

[Powerstroke]

Ketter in Brooklyn park sells canoes, Halberg in Wyoming, MN is a Grumman dealer although their lightest new canoe is 44lbs solo boat. Midwest mountaineering sells canoes and kayaks and also has a used boat sale. REI sells canoes as do all the bigger Gander Mountain stores.

A keyword search of "canoe" on dexonline will get you over 20 answers and will tell you the address and number of all the ones I mentioned and more.

Since it looks like you're trying to decide between a canoe and kayak, or maybe you're looking to buy one of each, I would try to narrow down which stores sell both so you can see them side by side. Many of the dealers listed will allow you to test them on a the water either on an open testing day of all their models or some actually have water or a pool for you to try the one you're interested in. Ketter in B. Park is on the Mississippi. Friends of mine tested some Wenonah canoes there last summer.

[Questor]

Powerstroke:

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. I'll follow up on this.

[LABS4ME]

There was a dealer of Radisson canoes just north of the cities... Milaca I beleieve. I bought one from him 8-9 years ago... I can't remember his name. You can do a search for Radisson or Sportpal canoes and find out the nearest dealer. I bought a 14' pointed, I believe it weighs 40 pounds. It's olive drab so it's good for duck hunting... fully foam lined (quiet) and it paddles nice. They've been around a long time and are about the lightest ones I found (that were reasonably priced).

Good Luck!

Ken