best family canoe for $500?

[tkc67]

Im looking for advice on a new or used canoe for lake paddling and fishing with me and 1-2 kids. I will spend up to $500. Any one familiar with the Mad River passage 14' canoe?

[Cowper]

Boats you might want to consider were recently discussed on this thread: http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... =3&t=22348" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can find some reviews of the MR Passage here: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... d=11552935" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And even more here, if I am correct in believing that the Mad River Adventure is the same boat as the Mad River Passage, just shipped via a differnt store: http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showRev ... ?prod=1801" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Both sites show most liking the boat pretty well, with a smaller number of folks that found it too heavy or complained about the lack of stability.

In general, most folks here will recommend getting a good used ABS boat, instead of the molded plastic boats like the MR Passage. The molded boats tend to be heavier; how much that bothers you depends on a lot of personal value judgments as well as things like how strong you are, will you have someone helping you load it, etc.

[Deuce]

A fourteen footer will get crowded pretty quickly with three anglers and their gear, even if two of the anglers are youngsters. Generally speaking I'd suggest looking for something in the sixteen foot range. Aluminum canoes are durable, inexpensive and widely avaiable used and might be a good choice for you provided you'll have help carrying and loading. If you're on your own in that regard you'd probably need to find something lighter like a Royalex boat.

[SharkBait12]

I have the Mad River Adventure 14 myself. And it's a pretty good rig. But, you'll want to go with a 16' boat if your going to fish three people. It's a little on the heaviy side, which may or may not be an issue. That just depends on how far you have to carry to the put in and take out. If your dead set on a 14 footer. You should be able to find a used one in your $500 price range. I believe they run around $700 to $750 new. Even fishing just two people, I would still recommend going with the 16' boat.

[tomOzarkVideo]

I love my adventure.. That said, a royalex "river monster" (buffalo or similar) 16' canoe would have been a better choice as an all around or only boat for me. You can do many things for a 3rd seat.. Spend some time talking with folks that really know boats.

But beware.. You may become hopelessly addicted. Many of us have a 2:1 or greater boat to body ratio in our homes. It happens fast.

[Clif]

2 to 1 ha.

A buffy barge retired from the rental fleet will still have lots of miles and be under that price you mentioned. Smooth talkers can haggle well on them. Call some of the outfitters. Tracking on the lake may be less than what you want tho

I gave 2 bills and invested about 50 to put end covers where it hits the rocks. My friend then comes by with one in much better shape he gave 250 for from the outfitters near Tyler bend