16' Mad River Explorer TT (opinions)

[Jamie]

Anyone have any experience with this canoe (16' Mad River Explorer TT )? good/bad/ugly.....

price $800 at radical edge (F'ton)

I'm looking for a good tandum 16' canoe that can be paddled solo just as well. Or any other recomendations for a 16 footer would help.

I wanted a Nova Craft Prospector but the SP3 polyethylene (cheaper) is only 15 1/2' (smaller than what I have now)

Jamie

[tgneal]

Hey Jamie,

Check out this link. It has some user reviews of Mad River canoes.

www.paddling.net/Reviews/showCanoes.html?manf=87

www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=248

Submitted by: Peter M
06-19-2006
My wife and I exchanged the Adventure 14 we had purchased (stability issues - see review) for an Explorer 16 tt. We just took it out for the first time yesterday, and I was VERY impressed. We had it out in windy conditions, on a lake where the waves were 2 - 3 feet. The canoe crashed through the waves head-on with no issues. The sides being a little high, it does catch the wind, so we found ourselves lateral to the waves a few times, and I am convinced that it would be nearly impossible to flip this canoe. Primary and ultimate stability are AWESOME, making this a great family canoe. It's heavy, but that's the trade-off for this very tough hull (also great for families - you don't have to be all that careful around rocks, etc.) The only downside is the tracking - the shallow V hull makes it a little tough to keep this canoe on a straight course. Even this isn't bad, just not as good as some other canoes, and it could have been partly the wind blowing us off-course. Highly recommended for a great, fun, family canoe!
Rating: 9 of 10

Submitted by: Cnelson7
05-04-2006
Review of the TT version of the 16ft Explorer - I noticed the stability of the canoe was better than with other canoes I have owned. Two adults fishing, with all of the fishing gear, anchors, cooler, posed no problems. The canoe performed flawlessly. I think the speed of the canoe was very good. I'm sure there are a lot of faster canoes available, however, for fishing and cruising around, its great. We were dragging around two stringers of fish and a minnow bucket, and we still were able to move around with plenty of speed. If your looking for an all around canoe, I think you can't go wrong with the explorer. Look no further.
Rating: 10 of 10

[Jamie]

thanks Tom

I might just try to round up a couple of guys and go to the Old town sale and pick up an Appallacian (spelling?)

Anyone know when the OldTown sale is yet?

Jamie

Tom.... when ya coming down? Maybe try the Chi a week earlier this year?

[tgneal]

Hey Jamie,

I don't think I'll make it down to N.B. until August this year (work issues). Maybe we can organize a trip down the St. Croix.

I think the Old Town sale is in the spring sometime. I thought I saw some posts on this site where people are selling canoes they bought at past Old Town sales.

Take it easy,
Tom

[Jamie]

Work Issues?!!!!!!!!!!!!

get your priorities in order

Anyone else interested in running the Chi in late May?


JP

[tgneal]

reverend said:

Work Issues?!!!!!!!!!!!!

get your priorities in order

Anyone else interested in running the Chi in late May?


JP

It's not my priorities that are the problem but my bosses!. Actually there is someone else in the office who is taking vacation at that time to go to her daughter's wedding. I told my boss it's disrupting my canoe trip but he seemed to feel a wedding was more important. Talk about screwed up priorities.

Contact Pat, I'm sure he'd be interested in still doing the 'chi.

Take it easy,
Tom