C-Forum

Originally posted this in the wrong place. What are the thoughts on tandem canoes. Which are best for tripping, flat to class 3 (pushing it)? Looking for one boat to do all of this good. I know it is asking for a lot. At one time, had a Mad River Teton (I think it was a composite version of Explorer) Not needing to poratge much at this time.

Some friends of mine have an Old Town Appalachian that they use for tripping and like a lot. I've seen them run up to Class 3+ rapids in it.

My wife and I use a Dagger Legend for up to Class 3, though we've run some harder stuff in it as well. Mad River now makes the Legend. It's a barge in terms of carrying gear. It's not as swift as the Appalachian, but it gets down the river and has decent spin even when loaded.

If I were shopping now, I'd also take a look at the Esquif Canyon.

The most versatile is the We-no-nah Cascade. Designed as a wilderness tripper it's a go anywhere do anything type boat. It has the speed to make time on large windblown lakes, but can survive class III+/ IV- with the right paddlers.

If you don't plan to paddle lakes and will be mostly in the class II and up range, then the Esquif Canyon starts to shine. Not nearly as fast as the Cascade on the flats, it will turn faster.

I just bought and paddled an Esquif Pocket Canyon. Did the John Day in good water (3600 cfs) which has some Class III. I paddled it solo and it is a fine boat. Very maneuverable and surprisingly fast. It would be slower tandem but still maneuverable.
I didn't like the seats, but that is my only gripe. Very nicely made boat. The seats are ash frames with webbing. I found the frame too small and it hurt my butt after a while. Nothing structurally wrong with the seats.
They make a larger version -- the Canyon -- that is better for big water trips.
Esquif makes a fine boat.
Bill

Don't plan on lakes but looking for something that will track on stuff like the Upper New flat water or comparable.

I'd also recommend the esquif version of the prospector. It probably can't be loaded as heavily as the canyon, but I've used it on everything from ocean surf with kids to a 3 day trip on the Sand in Ontario with my wife and 2 kids. We ran everything on the Sand that wasn't a waterfall (this was at very low water) - sometimes with the kids walking the portage. And the boat has been reliable and reasonably maneuverable.

As per Bill Mason, I paddle it solo from the bow (with the boat turned around) and it's easy to control, even with a kid or two in front of me.