Explorer

A true classic stands the test of time and the Explorer certainly qualifies. The Explorer is virtually synonymous with Mad River. A heritage of expedition excellence and whitewater capability combines with stability, utility, and paddling ease that's hard to beat for the recreational paddler in need of the most capable and versatile canoe possible. With the Explorer Series, Mad River offers a line of 6 canoes with a design emphasis on seaworthiness and capability and built to take the bumps and grinds of the learning process. In kind waters or harsh, the Explorers are canoes that are hard to outgrow.

If you like the seaworthiness and secondary stability of the Explorer design but demand the paddling efficiency and portability of a stiff lightweight canoe then the Explorer 16 in Kevlar Expedition composite is for you. This isn't a brittle featherweight - it's a tough expedition-worthy canoe, ever ready for the opportunity to the local waters behind and head off to places less well known. This boat can handle a full load and still run dry. Local or far off, it delivers the trademark Explorer feel in spades, providing solid, predictable stability, superior seaworthiness all tweaked with a nice turn-of-speed.      In rugged Royalex the Explorer 16 marries capability and superior mixed-water performance with a tough material more than capable of taking a bump without getting bruised. Royalex is moderate in weight, making for a boat that is quite easy to handle on or off the water and is virtually maintenance-free. Looking for a canoe that'll handle the family as well as wilderness journeys should the opportunity present? You may just found it in the Royalex Explorer.      Just as the name suggests, the Explorer 15 is a more compact version of our popular Explorer 16 RX, and shares that design's capability and mixed-water performance. Its shorter length makes it a more responsive tandem than the 16, great for twisty rivers or threading your way down a rock garden. It's also a good choice for the solo paddler with a lot of gear to transport yet it handles small families with grace and security. Finally, many Explorer fans may not well need the ability to haul the load the 16 will handle - the Explorer 15 is a great choice and shorter length and lighter weight make for a canoe that's easy to handle on or off the water.      If you are looking for classic Explorer performance but are on a budget the canoe for you could well be the Explorer 16 TT (formerly know at the Teton). With almost identical lines to the classic Royalex edition, the Triple Tough Explorer 16 offers great stability in rough conditions, handles well loaded and tracks well. Durable, care-free polyethylene construction will easily handle the stresses of family life - the only real trade off is weight - the Explorer 16 TT is heavier than the Explorer in Royalex or Kevlar composite. If you are new to canoeing or need an inexpensive second canoe that compares quite well with the performance of a more expensive canoe the Explorer 16 TT is a great choice.

MATERIAL LENGTH WIDTH WEIGHT KEVLAR 16'4" 34.5" 54 lbs Royalex 16' 35" 72 lbs Royalex 14'9" 35" 62 lbs Polyethlene 16' 36" 79 lbs