Best way to get Mom, Dad and Kiddo out on the water?

[LaOutbackTrail]

We are wanting to get into watersports this summer and are now researching/shopping for the best way to get the three of us on the water.

I want something that is versatile enough that I can paddle all of the types of waterways available in my region and beyond. I'd like to be able to do up to class III whitewater, flatwater lakes, protected estuaries/mangroves along the coast, and easier rivers.

I like the idea of the Mad River Adventure 16 canoe. Seating for 3 plus room for gear. That's probably the only way I'd go if I were to get a canoe.

The other idea I like is two boats. Tandem kayak and a single kayak. Me and kiddo would go in the tandem and wife would paddle the single. This idea is most appealing to me because it gives me the option of being able to have a decent craft if I go someplace by myself. But lets face it, double the cost...

Your ideas? Has anyone had the same conundrum?

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Allow me to revise my state about which whitewater classes I'd be willing to endure and how.

I'd like the ability to BE ABLE TO do a class three in whichever craft I end up with, but no more than a class two if kiddo is on board...

 

[Frankspinz]

I am a BIG fan of canoes ! One canoe will allow you to paddle solo, two people, two people with gear for a week, two people, kids and the dog ... etc ...

Any expedition 16 footer, prospector style, will run rapids and paddle lakes adequately... Same as 4x4s, everything is compromise ! Royalex is bomb proof but heavy... kevlar is light for portages, great for lakes, but not recommended for rapids & rocks ...

That Mad River Adventure looks great...

Canoes are like trucks ... an incurable disease !

 

[T.Low]

At the risk of getting flamed by some of the old timers, here's the deal: That is a lot to ask from one boat.

For a boat to have an adequate amount of rocker to the hull to handle class III, it will be brutal when attempting to paddle any real distance on flat water. And vice versa.

It's not unlike only having an adjustable wrench for all your truck maintenance.

I'm not familiar with the Adventure but the Mad River Explorer is a versatile boat. I'm a fan of the shallow V hull. The difference in paddling Royalex compared to fiberglass is definitely worth the price difference, go with the fiberglass.

But again, the 16fter is brutal on flat water camping trips. Just rent an 18' when you go to Boundary Waters. And it will be a battle to learn how to catch catch eddies in class III. You'll just be bombing down the raft line without too many options.

As far as kayaks...I guess I would start with the Prijon Yukon for solo and the Prijon whatever it's called for the tandem. But again, my tandem white water boat is 12' long and my tandem sea kayak is 22' long, so at 17' it's an unwildly barge on class III and a slow pig on flatwater. I'm just saying...

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I guess, I should mention we do not intend to cover any sort of significant distance if there is not a water current present.

And maybe I am being a bit ambitious with wanting to handle class III... maybe a II+. With a guide, I've paddled (and forced to swim:Wow1::sombrero IV+ rapids, but no way would I bring kiddo anywhere near that until she's older...

Let me give a real life example of the upper level of what I'd like to do... right now the Mulberry river in Arkansas is at a 2.9. We were half planning a canoe trip up there, but at this point, I do not feel comfortable paddling that with the family. If it were a 2.0 no problem.

Maybe if I keep blabbing, I'll say enough to help get you guys on my page and understand what I'm wanting to do here!

 

[tdesanto]

I would suggest getting the boat the fits the needs of the type of water you'll be on most often. Then, rent what you need for other types of water.

Or, don't buy, but rent what you need when you need it.

Another suggestion, look for used equipment instead of new. Most of the time this stuff depreciates pretty quickly and deals are out there if you're patient.

 

[T.Low]

The Mad River Explorer (16' with moderate rocker) is the XR650L of the paddling world.

It can do it all. The XR650 can do tight single track, but I sure do't want to do it. I can munch freeway miles along side a GS1200 or even a Goldwing...but I sure don't want to do it. It can do the twisties, but it will be lacking. You get the picture. Because it can do it all, it 's a comprimise at almost everything.

That's all I'm saying. As long as you really know that going into your purchase.


It's not difficult to buy right used, meaning that it's quite possible to be able to sell at or close to your purchase price, especially if you buy a coveted, popular model like a fiberglass Explorer.

I would also recommend taking a class before you buy. It will greatly increase your knowledge of what input to give to get the desired out put from your boat, and therefore will also show how to test paddle a bout to see if it does what you want/need it to do.

Also, and this is huge, I can teach a beginner to paddle correctly and safely in a half a day. But it's a major struggle to overcome years of wrongly "intuitive" paddling technique. Usually, you can't. The body motions and muscle memory are too ingrained.

Take a class now, then there should be canoe demos in your area any day now. Go out and test paddle everything you can and talk to the reps. Figure out two or three models that will work for your intended purposes, then find a used one and get on the water.

 

[mountainpete]

The Mad River Explorer (16' with moderate rocker) is the XR650L of the paddling world.

I have that boat. It's an awesome family boat. Very stable, lots of room and easy to paddle. I wouldn't take it on Class III, but that may just be me.

x2 on the class advice if your experience is limited. Looking back, I wish I would have done that.

Pete

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm looking up classes now.

Definitely buying used.......

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I would suggest getting the boat the fits the needs of the type of water you'll be on most often. Then, rent what you need for other types of water.

I like this idea, Tony!

 

[INSAYN]

I would highly recommend the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two for a couple of reasons as one of your kayaks.

1. It is plastic and can take an amazing amount of abuse over rocks and such, UV stable for colorfast in the sun. Easy to customize for fishing if you ever desire to do that.

2. It's a sit on top style of kayak that can seat 1 or 2 adults, or even 2 adults and a small child.

3. It's easy to paddle, can take rapids, doesn't require any special kayaking skills to master, and is forgiving if you fall off somehow. Very easy to get back on even in rough water.

The OK Malibu Two is the yellow one in the background with my wife, daughter and doggy.

The orange kayak in the picture is a Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Angler. Very well set up for fishing. I put a seat in the tank well for my son. I can actually go faster with him in the back, than not in the yak at all. Weird huh?

Both of these kayaks are surf launch-able for heading out into the ocean, and I have done so many times with the orange one. Also great in rivers, lakes, ponds, and some creeks.

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

Hmmm Thanks for that info! There are several of those on the local craigslist!

How big is your boy? My daughter is (big) 5 year old.

 

[INSAYN]

Hmmm Thanks for that info! There are several of those on the local craigslist!

How big is your boy? My daughter is (big) 5 year old.

Son is currently going on 10 and he was 8 in the picture. He still fits in the back there.

 

[Roverholic]

I keep a Sea Eagle inflatable 2 man kayak in the trailer and a stream worthy "tube" as well. I used to drag around "real" kayaks but found I would sometimes travel for a week without getting them wet. When you're driving around in an Old *** Land Rover this can be a real pain!

 

[LaOutbackTrail]

I keep a Sea Eagle inflatable 2 man kayak in the trailer and a stream worthy "tube" as well. I used to drag around "real" kayaks but found I would sometimes travel for a week without getting them wet. When you're driving around in an Old *** Land Rover this can be a real pain!

The way it would work for us is that we would need to do a water/boat specific trip... not just dragging it around, that would be quite uneconomical.