I Ordered a Nova Craft Prospector Canoe - It's HERE! - General Advice, Suggestions & Questions — Adventure Canoe Forum

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I Ordered a Nova Craft Prospector Canoe - It's HERE!

(20 posts) (6 voices) Started 1 year ago by James Latest reply from Dennis

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James
Class V
This is not my boat...but it is what my boat will look like. The image was borrowed from Nova Craft.

Ok, I am ready to bite the bullet and order a brand spanking new Nova Craft Prospector canoe. I've decided on the 16' in red.

What I am wondering is everyone's opinion on a couple of things.
1. Do I want aluminum, ash or vinyl gunwales?
2. Is the royalex lite tough enough for Missouri steams or should I get the heavier royalex?
3. Do I want Nova Craft to install a kneeling thwart or do it myself?
4. Should I wait until later for kevlar skid plates or have them installed at the factory?
5. Once I get it should I drill a bunch of holes in it and lace it for float bags?
6. Is my wife going to kill me?
I've kind of answered all of these in my head but I still want some opinions.

If you have any photos of your Prospector canoe in action or outfitting tips please post them.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

Ok the boat is on the way. I ordered it from Rutabaga in Wisconsin. I got red with aluminum gunwales and the laced ash seats. Rutabaga had one in stock and shipping should be pretty quick because its only 5 hours away from St. Louis. My fingers are crossed for it getting here by the weekend. It's probably a long shot but we'll see.

I talked to Andrew "Roman" Romanelli who gave me the low down on all my questions. He explained that the Royalex light is only lighter on the sides and that everything below the waterline can take whatever abuse I dole out.

Ok, now I need you all to post some photos of your fully outfitted canoe so I can get an idea of how I'm going to set her up.

I think I found my first new boat accessory. A couple of NRS float bags, maybe some Crazy Creek Chairs for the flat water and some knee padz.

I have to honestly admit that most of the rivers Cate and I paddle don't require float bags...I just think the lacing looks cool. Anyone against me drilling a bunch of holes down the side of my new boat?

Let me know if I'm missing anything.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

I just talked to the friendly folks at Rutabaga in Wisconsin. My canoe is going to be loaded onto a truck to St. Louis on Thursday. I am so excited.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

Rutabaga in Wisconsin provided me with some brilliant customer service today. Apparently the boat was in their system as red but was actually the burgundy color...Gross. John called me after peaking in to the wrap to verify the color.

They didn’t actually have a red one so several phone calls later we determined that red was the best color and that a 17’ boat actually fit my needs a little better than the 16. So the boat is on a truck and headed on its overland voyage to St. Louis.
Rutabaga says 10 days...but will it arrive sooner? I have my fingers crossed.

Good catch John, Thanks.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
Lloyd
Paddler

I tried out Magikelly's 17' Prospector and all I can say is; sweet. It does everything that a smaller canoe can do but is fast like a scared deer. We did not get to try it in moving water but I get the feeling it would live up to its name although I would be more likely to pick straight lines and forget eddy turns.

90% of the manoeuvrability you would get in a 16 footer is still present and the capacity is enormous. In fact it does not start to work good until you get a load in it.

The speed is the main bonus for me. Even stopping in a wind to take photos and drifting behind the rest of the group by several hundred yards we were easily able to regain the distance in a few minutes and could slack off on the paddling to avoid passing the group.

The stability is probably even greater than in a shorter canoe. We could sit without paddling quartered and sideways in good sized waves and take photos with no feeling of instability.

Did I mention the speed? A good paddler could gain 5-6 inches per paddle stroke on a shorter canoe.

All this makes it an excellent lake water or tripping guide canoe that has the ability to sprint to the rescue if needed.

My only thought about the Royalex lite model is that there is a bit of flex to the hull and so I would add another thwart about 3 inch's behind the bow seat to correct this.

If you want a cargo hauler that the kids can water ski behind the 17' prospector may be for you.

I give it a 9.7/10 on the Lloyd scale

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

I've been jumping around like a little girl who just got her pony and I don't even have the new boat yet.

I've been reading about outfitting over at song of the paddle and I am pretty sure I'm going to drill some holes in it for lacing after it arrives.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

I too bought my canoe from Rutabaga. Their customer service is great. I considered the Prospector, but ultimately decided on the Pal. I love my Pal, works great for the flat water big river, lake and back water paddling that I mostly do. I am sure you will love the Prospector.

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

http://twitpic.com/cb8pg the canoe is here! Going to dinner because my wife got a new job. Best day ever. Paddle & pics tomorrow.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
jabbrwcky
Paddler

Just wanted to say - congrats! There's few things as exciting as a new canoe! It looks gorgeous too; looking forward to hearing of your adventures together :-)

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V

Cate and I take the new boat out for a paddle. It gets cut short by the rain so we make some stir fry on our new Brunton stove. I'll post some more photos later tonight.

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe

Posted 1 year ago #
MotoMike
Moderator

admin - 20 hours ago » Cate and I take the new boat out for a paddle. It gets cut short by the rain so we make some stir fry on our new Brunton stove. I'll post some more photos later tonight.

She's a beauty

Your SotP shot really shows the depth of the hull with noticably more freeboard than my Pal. You will be good for some extended tripping and big water.

Congrats

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V
Mike-

It does look deeper than the PAL. Admittedly, we have no gear and Cate only weighs 105 pounds so it may be a bit deceptive. According to the specs the Prosector is 15” and the PAL has a 13” depth in the center. We also get 1200 lbs of gear hauling vs your 900.

Here are the full specs:
- Length: 17'
- Beam: 36"
- Center Depth: 15"
- Bow Depth: 23"
- Bow Rocker: 2"
- Stern Rocker: 2"
  Capacity: 1200lbs
- Weight: 68 lbs (Royalex Lite)
We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
Posted 1 year ago #
NEMO
Member

James, what other boats were you looking at before you decided on the Nova Craft?

Posted 1 year ago #
James
Class V
Nemo-

I really looked at any and all river tripping boats. But in order of preference:
1. Nova Craft Prospector
2. Wenonah Prospector
3. Bell Prospector
4. Mad River Legend
5. Mad River Explorer
6. Wenonah Spirit II
If you have questions about a specific boat I’ve probably paddled it. If your looking for something below $1000 I would look at these options over the Old Town Discovery:
1. Nova Craft Prospector SP3
2. Wenonah Northfork
3. Mad River Explorer TT
What type of paddling are you planning on?

We buy our gear at Amazon, NRS, Altrec or Rock Creek. If you're in St. Louis visit the Alpine Shop.

http://twitter.com/AdventureCanoe
Posted 1 year ago #

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