I'm trying to make a decision on a canoe purchase and I hope someone in this
group can offer some advice and perhaps opinions.



I live and canoe rivers in the southwest United States and northwest Mexico.
Places like the Green, San Juan, and Yaqui Rivers. I'm usually out for a
week, give or take a day, and with one or two other two person boats in our
parties. As you can imagine, rivers here vary considerably depending upon
the water year and other factors. We generally run up to class three rapids
and often have to drag boats over rocks in some shallow reaches. We also
occasionally T-bone a boulder or two while on the water. The conditions can
be hard on canoes.



In the past I've used Old Town Appalachians
(http://www.otccanoe.com/canoes_appalachian.php) and Mad River Revelations,
which I think has been replaced by the Explorer 16rx
(http://www.madrivercanoe.com/zoom_bo...orer_16_rx.jpg), both 16
ft Royalex boats. We are carrying a lot of gear, but also need
maneuverability in swift water.



On a trip last year, some friends brought a SOAR 16 ft inflatable boat
(http://www.soar1.com/soar_16.htm). I was extremely impressed with how
forgiving it was on rocks and its handling in some rapids that we in the
Royalex boats needed to line. It's also self bailing which of course helps
when we take on some water in the middle of a run. The downside is, it's
more expensive, and although SOAR claims it has a cargo capacity of 17 +
cubic feet, it certainly carried less gear than the thin hulled Old Towns
and Mad Rivers. I've also been told that being an inflatable, they are
slugs in a headwind, something we invariably get a day or two of on any
trips.



My choice is coming down to the Appalachian and the SOAR 16. I'd like to
hear any recommendations on the boats, as well as necessary accessories for
either one. I also sea kayak so I have the usual stuff, PFDs, dry bags,
etc. For accessories I'm thinking more along the lines of seat upgrades,
expedition repair kits, etc.



Thanks in advance.



pjb


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