Just wanted to let you know that I have been paddling both my Caribou and 14 Prospector and have been very impressed by both of them. They perform even better than I expected and I couldn’t be happier with them.

They have also held up better than any other layup I’ve used here in the Ozarks for gravel, rocks, and low water sections, (and I have used most). I have been particularly abusive of the P14 (see rock garden below) and I have been shocked at how it has shrugged off some very substantial scraping and some hard hits on big rocks.

These are absolutely fantastic boats.

 -Alex Trucks, Photos by: Bettina Guignon

I am really enjoying my Kevlar/Duraflex 14′ Prospector. I have taken it down rivers, paddled flat water with it, and even took some freestyle classes in it last summer. The boat heels nicely without getting tender near the gunwales. I also enjoy the responsive nature of the boat. It stays dry in rougher water and it is a fun boat to paddle. I am enjoying its versatility.

– Anna Vanderveen – Sacramento, CA

I have had a 14’ Prospector canoe for five years and used it extensively.  This boat has the kevlar duraflex layup, no ribs or foam core.  The layup was flawless! Aluminum gunnels and thwarts, the seat is a wood curved webbing seat and is angled to allow kneeling or sitting, it is comfortable and very functional.  I took this boat on a one month trip on the Coppermine River.  The load carrying capacity is impressive.  I also had no trouble keeping up with the tandem canoe as the boat is fast for a Prospector type.  It also fits nestled inside most tandem boats, saving the air fare.  The truly amazing thing is that it handles very well loaded.  It is very maneuverable on the river allowing back ferries and eddy turns with little effort.  It tracks well on the lakes and handles wind and weaves.

This layup is extremely tough. I lost control of it when I had it on a cart loaded w/ 100#  of gear. It took off down hill like a race house, got a lot of speed and smacked a large tree, taking a chunk of bark off.  The damage to the canoe, a 6” scratch on the bow, merely cosmetic.

I use this boat for teaching flatwater canoe courses where we paddle a tight timed course that requires turns in both directions, side slips, backwards paddling and sideways maneuvers.  Once my students get in it they don’t want to paddle anything else, It really carves nice weight turns.

In short it is light, durable, comfortable, maneuverable, with a large carrying capacity.  It handles exceptionally when loaded and that is a rare performance in a tripping solo canoe.  In my opinion ideal for river and lake paddling

 -Lorne Dickieson, Level V Instructor, RCABC