C-Forum

I'm headed to the Grand Canyon in May from Virginia and would kinda like to fly. Private trip.

Any success stories regarding shipping a thirteen foot open boat there / renting one when you get there?

Side note, I'm also researching outfitters for the rest of the group who will raft. Any recommendations or horror stories?

Thanks,

Ken Dubel

Hatch River Expeditions does a great job for rafting and raft support. Awesome food - nice folks.

Most of the businesses that outfit private trips have a good reputation. I have used PRO several times and always had a good experience.

Professional River Outfitters
2800 W Route 66
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-8449
(928) 779-1512
www.proriver.com

I will be surprised if you can find an acceptable C-Boat to rent in Flagstaff. Ask Bruce at PRO though; you never know. As for shipping a thirteen foot boat, you are out of my league on that one.

Have a great trip!

I work in the Outdoor Rec industry, unfortunatley far from the Grand Canyon, and was highly impressed with Pro. Professional River Outfitters - http://www.proriver.com. Right in Flagstaff.

They did an amazing job. Pick you up at your hotel, shuttle service, help you rig, stay with you during the ranger check in process, orient you to all their gear, amazing food. Have a killer time, right up there on the best time of my life list.
Can't help you with canoe info, they might have some info for you, or even a boat.

If you don't have any objections to paddling a Whitesell Piranha I happen to have one stashed in Flagstaff. It's outfitted with air bags, twin pumps and plenty of lead acid batteries. I personally think that the Whitesell is one of the best Grand Canyon canoes. Because of its complete lack of edges it doesn't get flipped as easily by all that funky water.

As far as outfitters go I much prefer Canyon REO over PRO. they both have good equipment but PRO makes you do everything their way with no deviation. For instance, you must choose their menu choices without modification. REO, on the other hand, will bend over backwards (within reason) to accommodate your wishes.

Jim

Some folks I know (including my father-in-law) went with Canyon REO about 10 years ago and were very happy with them. When I thought I was going on that trip I checked and they had some C-1s and OC-1s available.

I was involved with a trip right up to the launch date, and had to bail. the outfitter i talked with and who ultimately outfitted the trip was brady from moenkopi river works. apparently the trip went off without a hitch. good boats and good food. they had rented a couple of 18' gear pigs.
as for the boat question, i sold my wife's old kayak to a couple that were running the grand this summer from out of country. they said it was cheaper to buy a used boat than to rent on for their trip, and that was a kayak. i'd research the possibilities of transport cause first, good luck finding a canoe, and second, it isn't going to be cheap. plus you know your boat and it should be there with you.

Jim Michaud wrote: ... I happen to have one stashed in Flagstaff. ...
Jim

Small world? I don't suppose you are acquainted with Nolan? He mentioned over the weekend that he knew someone with a canoe stashed in Flagstaff. I'll get in touch with you off the board.

Thanks to all for outfitter comments. I especially liked the lack of horror stories!

Ken Dubel

A guy posted a GC trip report on BT today - look for Gordo. They used Canyon REO and were pleased, though he referenced an earlier bad experience.

Paddled the Grand Canyon, private trip, in August. I shipped, via Yellow Freight, a 12-foot plastic Dagger C1, to the outfitter's shop in Flagstaff, from Roanoke, Virginia. Cost was $160. One way. The boat stayed in Flagstaff (gave it to my nephew who lives there) so I didn't have the expense (and bother) of round trip shipping. Wrapped the cockpit in bubble wrap and put my paddles, spray skirt, pfd, etc. inside the boat. It worked out OK.

By the way, our trip was outfitted by Moenkopi River Works. Last time we used Canyon Reo, they were fine. Can't say enough good about Moenkopi, the equipment was good, they have a house available so your trip doesn't have to book separate hotel rooms before and after the trip, and their staff was great to work with. Reasonable cost. We had them do the food, too, and it worked out great. Saved us a lot of pre-trip bother.

I hope this helps. Hope you have a great trip, too.

Aargh!

sbroam wrote:A guy posted a GC trip report on BT today - look for Gordo. They used Canyon REO and were pleased, though he referenced an earlier bad experience.

I found the thread here:

http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/1685382

Thanks for the tip. Miles beyond the intent of my original post, worth reading.

Ken