I bought my first canoe a few months ago, a 16′ Mad River “Pioneer RX”.  I found it on craigslist for $350.  It was a used demo boat, and had some dings and scratches, but showed no sign of abuse.  I was interested to see it was branded as a demo boat inside the gunwhale.  From the Mad river website, this is a discontinued “all around” model.

I couldn’t be happier with this boat.  Since I didn’t pay full retail, I don’t sweat it when I glide over a rock or log. 

So far I have taken it down a class II river and several smaller streams and rivers.  My wife and I can take our two girls in it, but I run it solo easily.

I plan to do a multi-day trip on the John Day river later this summer, and have some modifications in mind.

So far the only things I’ve added are some knee pads and bow and stern lines, but I plan to add some flotation and glue-in D’s as well.  I’ve looked on line at pre manufactued float bags, and while they’re very nice, they seem very expensive for what they are.  I have a couple ideas using truck innertubes or the big inflatable exercise balls that I am anxious to try.  

For storage and stowage, I have always used dry bags, but I have an idea for a plywood dry box I might try, too.