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This topic has 3 voices, contains 5 replies, and was last updated by  lujia1 683 days ago.

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July 31, 2009 at 10:27 am #33004

MotoMike

I chose the Pal over the Prospector because of the type paddling I do. I will probably never be in white water and when In big water, if it’s rough, I will stay on the beach. That said, Mason did use a Chestnut Pal on white water until he got his prospector.

It is 16 feet long, with a beam of 34, depth of 13 and bow/stern 20. It has less rocker than the prospector so is likely to tracks straighter but may be less maneurverable in the rough stuff. It has less freeboard by two inches and the bow and stern of the Prospector are 3 inches higher. It is 2 inches narrower. These atributes make for a fast boat that is less effected by the wind. It still has a 900lb capacity only 100 less than the prospector. Despite having less rocker, I find the canoe maneuverable.

It is one of the original Chestnut designs that was resurected in modern materials and it is a fine boat. I believe Rutabaga owner Darrin Bush was instrumental in Nova Craft bringing this design back to the market. I am glad they did.

My experience is limited, but am a research nerd, so take my comments for what they are worth. Previous canoe experience limited to old Grummans used at scout camp too many years ago to say. 2 years of recreational kayak experience.

I prefer traditional designs and find the lines of the prospector and Pal to be very pleasing to the eyes.
August 11, 2009 at 11:15 pm #33005

Dennis

Where is the visual? I needs pictures.  ;-)

It’s amazing the effect that a couple of inches can have. I was paddling in the bow of Jame’s prospector last week and my knees seem to keep banging on the gunnels up there a lot. Of course it might have been because of the load of junk I had up there with me like two cameras, a pelican case, a dry bag, some rope, a water bottle and who knows what else. I guess I’m just used to the luxury of all that room in the back where you can see all the gear laid out in front of you. The problem was that I was trying to load the front of the canoe like I was in the back of the canoe. It started out well but I just kept throwing more stuff up there until there was no legroom left at all. 
August 12, 2009 at 7:35 am #33006

MotoMike

Sorry Dennis, I had not figured out how to post pictures when I did my short write up.  So then, behold the Rhonda Gayle.    As to not having any leg room in the front of a 17 foot Prospector…. You might be right about the gear you had up there.  I have paddled with some big guys up front in my Pal and they had room.  Plenty of room right behind you for your gear, just reach back and get what you need when you need it.  The comparison comments I make above pertain to the 16 foot Prospector, not James 17 footer.  I knew I would be doing most of my paddling solo, so the length and substantially larger sail area, I felt would make both Prospectors a bear to handle in wind.   

August 12, 2009 at 8:36 am #33007

Dennis

Ooooh! She’s pretty and I am really starting to appreciate the lacing more all the time. Now we need to talk about balanced fill flash. ;-)

I did forget that there is a 16′ and a 17′ version of the Prospector. I think I need to get out and paddle more. For the longest time around here it was Grumman canoes or nothing so there was not much to think about and every other boat on the river was a flat bottomed aluminum johnboat with an oily, smoking motor on the back making more racket than a percussion band in an alley full of metal trash cans. It’s nice to have so many tailored choices these days if not a little confusing to old farts like me.
August 13, 2009 at 4:08 pm #33008

MotoMike

Thanks Dennis.  I know that my photography is akin to a gorilla pounding a coconut on a rock.  I do get lucky on occasion though.  I edited it with slight improved results.  I picked those shots because I thought it showed the sleekness of the Pal while also showing its traditional lines.  I think she is a beauty.

 

Even though I use the canoe pretty strictly in the type waters shown, Mason used his Pal in whitewater In his book Song of the Paddle he says that he used the Pal in his films Path of the Paddle, Solo Flatwater, Solo Whitewater and Waterwalker. I quote “If you’ve seen the films, you will appreciate just how seaworthy that canoe can be. I used it in whitewater for years before I bought my Prospector”.  So if you want to see the Pal in action I think James has links to a couple of those films.

I was struck with the profound difference an inch of freeboard makes when trying to paddle in the wind.  I can handle the Pal in some stout wind where there is chop and white horses beginning.

 

I too paddled Grummans when I was a scout, but that was a good many years ago which I can number in decades.   

 

Regards,

Mike

 
July 5, 2010 at 8:50 pm #33009

lujia1

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