POUROVER MODEL OC TASTE TEST ESQUIF POCKET CANYON
WHAT THEY SAY: Compact, playful tandem ideally suited for short whitewater trips that do not demand the cargo capacity of a longer, heavier tripping canoe. Serves double-duty as both whitewater playboat and technical river runner.
WHAT WE THINK: Supremely maneuverable, spins in a hole or surfs on a wave with ease. Paddle it backwards for a solid solo boat for extended river expeditions. Hull speed and stability are very good for the length. For sheer fun and versatility, it’s hard to beat. Read a full review in the Early Summer 2010 issue of Rapid,
www.rapidmag.com/00032.
$1,650 Cdn •
www.esquif.com WENONAH ROGUE
WHAT THEY SAY: To maneuver among rocks, holes and standing waves you need a boat that can power turn in small spaces, like the Rogue.
WHAT WE THINK: Very dry and forgiving in class III rapids, nimble and great fun to surf. The high bow and generous rocker mean flatwater performance is slow and squirrelly, but it’s in line with other playful river runners. Shines in technical whitewater.
$1,329 US / $1,399 Cdn •
www.wenonah.com
Esquif Pocket Canyon Wenonah Rogue
Mad River Legend 16
Nova Craft Prospector 16
A SIX-PACK FOR WEEKEND TRIPPING
Old Town Appalachian Souris River Skeena
LENGTH WIDTH
14’6” 16’ 16’ 16’
16’ 16’8”
34.5” 35”
33.5” 36”
35” 36”
BOW/STERN ROCKER
4”/4” 3”/3” 2”/2” 2”/2”
n/a 6”/2” HULL MATERIAL WEIGHT
Royalex Royalex Royalex Royalex/
Royalex Lite Royalex
Kevlar, polyester and fiberglass
59 lbs 69 lbs 72 lbs 74/
64 lbs 67 lbs
64 lbs
SOURIS RIVER SKEENA
WHAT THEY SAY: An innovative whitewater tripper that performs well on wild rivers yet cruises effortlessly on flatwater. Those who believe no composite canoe can stand up to whitewater abuse, think again.
WHAT WE THINK: A high-volume tripper that chews flatwater miles and carves and ferries gracefully on the river. Asymmetrical hull feels very stable and holds a ton of gear. Generous bow rocker helps keep it straight and fast. “It’s amazing how fast this boat feels,” well- paddled Rapid publisher Scott MacGregor noted in Spring 2008. Read a full review at
www.rapidmag.com/0033.
$2,945 US / $2,995 Cdn •
www.sourisriver.com OLD TOWN APPALACHIAN
WHAT THEY SAY: Excellent maneuverability in whitewater, with flared ends for dryness and buoyancy. Both solo and tandem paddlers appreciate its quick handling in conditions up to class III.
WHAT WE THINK: Surfs, ferries, catches eddies and runs big water with gusto; stable even when swamped. Plenty of cargo space for extended trips, but generous freeboard turns windy lakes into Formula 1 courses. Solid, tough-as-nails all-rounder for technical river running and play.
$1,679 US •
www.oldtowncanoe.com
MAD RIVER LEGEND 16 NOVA CRAFT PROSPECTOR 16
WHAT THEY SAY: Feels most at home loaded with gear on a remote wilderness lake or river, yet remains versatile as a good all-round canoe.
WHAT WE THINK: Comfortable tandem or solo, with enough capacity for extended trips. Dry ride in big water sacrifices some tracking on flatwater. Stable enough for standing and poling the shallows. Nearly indestructible construction makes this boat a favorite of camps, schools and outfitters.
$1,579 US / $1,749 Cdn •
www.novacraft.com 22 RAPID SUMMER/FALL 2011
WHAT THEY SAY: Ideally suited for shallow, boisterous rivers with capacity for longer mixed water trips with or without gear. A benchmark for downriver canoes; durable and responsive, yet respectable on open waters.
WHAT WE THINK: Blunt ends and moderate rocker make it dry for river running and surfing. It turns pretty well and tracks well enough on flatwater, but is more at home in currents and eddies. “My favorite tripping boat to surf solo,” wrote Rapid publisher Scott MacGregor in Summer 2007. Read a full review at
www.rapidmag.com/0034.
$1,449 US / $1,519 Cdn w/vinyl • $1,769 US / $1,819 Cdn w/wood
www.madrivercanoe.com
—VM
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