This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
n. A piece of music sung or


played in the open air. PHOTO: EMMA DRUDGE


2014 ANNUAL 501 BEST BOATS & GEAR


PADDLING BUYERS GUIDE


THE YEAR’S BEST GEAR:


KAYAKING CANOEING WHITEWATER PADDLEBOARDING PADDLES PFDS ACCESSORIES and more


WINNING THE FIGHT AGAINST TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME p.63


Find these boats and board on pages 75, 91, 90, 128, 174 and 158.


2014 ANNUAL • $6.99


HOW TO: GET FIRED UP FOR FIRST DESCENTS / MASTER THE KAYAK ROLL / CARVE COZY KAYAK COCKPITS / BEAT THE WIND /


DISPLAY UNTIL JUNE 2014 www.rapidmedia.com


KAYAK FISH ALL DAY / PADDLE WHEN YOU’RE LIKE, REALLY OLD / STILL BE COOL IN 2099 / SAVE PADDLING / EXPLORE THE EVERGLADES


KEVIN CALLAN CHEATS


AND WINS


THE DEATH OF CANOEING AS WE KNOW IT


ARE MORE FUN AT THE CLUB


WHY SCOTS


THE LONGEST, COLDEST,


ADVENTURES p.34 HARDEST SUP


PADDLING TRENDS p.54


HOTTEST 2014


Special 2013 Box Set


Read all 2013 issues of Canoeroots [ CANOE TREE ] Grab-and-Go Champ STEAL AWAY IN MAD RIVER CANOE’S SERENADE


Interested in impromptu adventures? Mad River Canoe’s Serenade could be your part- ner in crime. The Serenade is a unique hybrid design, melding a canoe hull with kayak comfort. At


only 42 pounds, this 13-footer’s light weight and versatility make it perfect for spontane- ous after-work paddling sessions or for the days when your tandem partner bails. “It’s a real spur-of-the-moment type boat,” says Buff Grubb, product manager at Mad


River Canoe. “And because it’s light and small, it’s easy to car-top solo.” More familiar with speedy-and-straight 15-foot touring solos, I was impressed with the


hull speed and glide of the Serenade’s shorter design. Its minimal rocker, just an inch in the bow and half that in the stern, allows for maneu-


vering but makes the Serenade easy to keep on course. The fiberglass shallow-V hull offers plenty of stability and instantly put me at ease. I was


comfortable leaning far out over the gunwales to test my balance despite icy spring water beneath me. Its stability has made the Serenade a favorite amongst photographers and sportsmen in the two years since its release, says Grubb, adding that it’s a boat designed for the twistys—marshes, backwaters and meandering rivers. The ultra-comfy seat is a distilled version of parent company Confluence’s Phase 3 outfit-


ting, featuring a contoured seat, backrest and leg lifter—perfect for paddlers that get sore knees or require lumbar support. This sports-car-style seating had me resting lower than I’m used to, just two or three inches above the hull. This position spurs many canoeists to opt for a kayak paddle, though the boat was designed for use with either, according to Grubb. I started out with a double blade but soon switched to my trusty single blade and im-


mediately found my rhythm. The seat itself is super easy to remove for transporting and uses a simple system of two


cords and jam cleats to secure the seat on aluminum rails. For die-hard traditionalists that love the hull but can’t abide by a kayak-style seat, Mad


River will unveil the Serenade outfitted with a traditional cane bucket seat later this summer. A capacity of 300 pounds means the


Serenade can easily accommodate a weekend’s amount of gear. “For lengthier tours, five or six days out, you’re going to want a longer and more efficient hull any- ways,” says Grubb. “The Serenade truly is the grab-and-go boat you want when the fever hits.” —KP


jDIGITAL EXTRA: Click here to watch the Mad River Serenade in action.


Mad River Canoe Serenade Length ......................................................13’1”


Max Width .......................................... 28.25” Capacity.............................................300 lbs


Weight ..........45 lbs (wood gunwales) .................42 lbs (aluminum gunwales) MSRP ..................................... $1,529–$1,749


www.canoerootsmag.com | 31 PRIMO TRAILER SALES


Ottawa, ON Canada • 800-558-5178 www.primotrailersales.com


ALUMINUM KAYAK/ CANOE TRAILERS


Worldwide Shipping Available for most models


and our 2014 Paddling Buyer’s Guide for only $4.99.


Find the free Canoeroots Magazine App at the App Store or on Apple’s Newsstand.


ON SALE NOW


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64