Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Anyone have experience with the Prodigy 10 EXP? Looks like a good all around rec boat. Short enough for rec rivers and also has dry storage. Thanks for any input y'all can send my way!

Hey Linda!

Friend Connie (Paddlegal) has one W/O the access hatch. At any rate, this boat has preformed well for her on numerous Caddo and Ouachita trips as well as the flat water trips we've made together. I would recommend you also take a look at the Dagger Approach 10', I like it's construction and form even a little more.
One think to keep in mind about any Rec. boats with water tight bulkheads, at some point they all will leak a little around the bulkhead especially as they age and as the hull repeatedly flexes. I just plan to thoroughly clean and reseal mine every few years. Minor seepage or not, I really like these compartments for the extra flotation they can offer in a pinch and the bulkhead itself works to stiffen the deck additionally.

Best Regards
Jim

Thanks for the advice, Jim. I'm asking for someone else whom I'm trying to get into the sport. He is 6'4 and the Approach didn't really have enough room. He tried out the regular Prodgiy (meaning he sat in in it - didn't get out on the water) and he fit much better it seemed. I think the EXP with the hatch seems to be along the lines of what he is looking for.

I, however, offered to sell him my Zydeco so that I could by an Approach. I liked that boat! It'll be right up there on the list if I ever get another one.

I have a Prodigy and it's a decent boat. The main problem I have with it is the size of the cockpit. It's so large that nobody makes a neoprene skirt for it. I've had my nylon skirt pop off from the boat flexing going over rocks. I plan to sell mine and get an Approach.

Linda, like Roman said, the cockpit size is certainly something to consider. From my take on things, the Rec. boat industry has somewhat tried to design for both smaller people out there and customers who may only be only 'slightly rotund', but I can only guess they have also tried to design for the person who thinks they might feel entrapped in a more conventional, smaller-sized cockpit. The net result is some boats featuring such long cockpits as to be more like canoes than kayaks in my estimation. When the cockpit size increases beyond about 36" or so in length ,the skirt could become like a blanket wrapped around your legs as you try and self-rescue. I do think a good skirt is needed on Rec. boats when using them in class I or II water with standing waves but I think the larger skirts can present more problems for it's size than the boat.

Jim

I'm thinking you are around I540. If so, Pack Rat is having their demo day next weekend. They have a lot of reps and boats to try out in the pond in front of their business. It's great having the reps there also. Just my 2 cents worth!
Susan

You are right, I'm right near the bypass but we will be on the Spring River that weekend if the weather cooperates...thanks for the heads up however! Maybe if there is a forecast for rain near Hardy, we'll stick around and try some boats out.

Roman, you bring up some good points and Jim brings up even more I haven't thought about.

The boat hunt is still on as far as I know. Thanks again guys.