Just been gifted a canoe (Explorer 166)
Hi.
I've just been given an Explorer 166 canoe, paddles and vests. Learning about it, reading reviews sounds like it suits well for the likes of me. ;)
Never had a boat and don't fare well on the water to be honest. Hopefully get the kids out on a canal or loch, maybe island camp or something.
I get it's not a great canoe. The blow-moulded cooler/seat/knee pad/ribbed bit in the middle looks like something I already want to rip out and replace. It puts the floor up about 3 inches off the bottom of the boat which seems daft to me, though probably filled with foam to help it float. If I take it out, assuming it's fine to step in onto the shell itself, I might fit a yolk (I'm strong enough for one-man lift, the canoe is nearly 45kg, so yolk might be useful), and a better seat to fit a couple of kids side by side. From what I've read, it needs the vertical bracing to the keel pole to help keep its shape and all that. The seats at either end also review as being quite high up, they are blow moulded for volume and braced to the keel, so I think I get what it'll take to replace them. I don't know if overall it's single or triple layer - I'm assuming single, but I'll maybe remove a seat bolt and have a look. I've also been given a couple of buoyancy bags for either end if I find I need them.
I've done a bit of searching around, but any tales from experience or links to similar modifications to this type of canoe would be great please.
I'll go paddle it before I change anything. I didn't know I needed a canoe, but the kids are excited and I like a project.
Matt
I've just been given an Explorer 166 canoe, paddles and vests. Learning about it, reading reviews sounds like it suits well for the likes of me. ;)
Never had a boat and don't fare well on the water to be honest. Hopefully get the kids out on a canal or loch, maybe island camp or something.
I get it's not a great canoe. The blow-moulded cooler/seat/knee pad/ribbed bit in the middle looks like something I already want to rip out and replace. It puts the floor up about 3 inches off the bottom of the boat which seems daft to me, though probably filled with foam to help it float. If I take it out, assuming it's fine to step in onto the shell itself, I might fit a yolk (I'm strong enough for one-man lift, the canoe is nearly 45kg, so yolk might be useful), and a better seat to fit a couple of kids side by side. From what I've read, it needs the vertical bracing to the keel pole to help keep its shape and all that. The seats at either end also review as being quite high up, they are blow moulded for volume and braced to the keel, so I think I get what it'll take to replace them. I don't know if overall it's single or triple layer - I'm assuming single, but I'll maybe remove a seat bolt and have a look. I've also been given a couple of buoyancy bags for either end if I find I need them.
I've done a bit of searching around, but any tales from experience or links to similar modifications to this type of canoe would be great please.
I'll go paddle it before I change anything. I didn't know I needed a canoe, but the kids are excited and I like a project.
Matt