Has anyone used or owned a Merrimack canoe? They look like an interesting blend of newer technology with old style looks.
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Merrimack Canoes
- Thread starter BWCA66
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Not the Merrimack, but a Navarro - which is the same construction and design from a family member who split away from Merrimack production, IIRC. Beautiful canoes. Mine just happened to be the first canoe I ever bought, and it was the Legacy - which is the same as the Merrimack Osprey. I wouldn't ever choose that model again (too short, too wide, too flat) , but the longer models look very nice. I wouldn't say they have any durability or performance advantage over, say, a Swift or similar - but they draw a lot of compliments for their appearance. They do have their own maintenance issues, but not really a big deal.
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The only Merrimack I have paddled was a friend’s early model Baboosic. That seemed an odd little boat given my usual preferences.
IIRC it had a number of design features I typically do not like, including a rounded bottom, some cheek in the stems (maybe), and kind of twitchy primary stability. The odd part was that I found myself fairly comfortable in the canoe; even when seated the secondary stability firmed up quickly.
I did witness a paddler struggle horribly with a Baboosic in broadside wind and wave.
Is Merrimack currently offering anything except 3K carbon layups?
I'm not sure they are making anything anymore. Their facebook page hasn't had a post for over a year and their website only has a video and a link to sign up for a catelog but nothing else. Was looking at a used one.
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I saw this outfitter link, with every Merrimack model only in carbon (which means nothing about Merrimack’s current status)
http://www.lakegeorgekayak.com/Merrimack_canoes.htm
I don’t recall ever seeing a Merrimack on Craigslist, although the friend’s early Baboosic was a used buy.
Any particular reason for your interest in finding a used Merrimack?
http://www.lakegeorgekayak.com/Merrimack_canoes.htm
I don’t recall ever seeing a Merrimack on Craigslist, although the friend’s early Baboosic was a used buy.
Any particular reason for your interest in finding a used Merrimack?
I saw a used one listed on a boat sale site and it just got me looking at the design and the blend of old style looks with new materials. I do see that the Navarro canoe company traces it's roots back to the same family. They are now located in Rock Island, IL and will be at Canoecopia so I'll get a chance for an up close look there. I see Navarro offers a varaity of lay ups like Merrimack used to. Bother companies have changed hands a couple of times in the past 10-15 years, I don't think any of the original family is involved anymore.
Merrimack at least used to make a Prospector model. Gorgeous boat. I sat on my hands and watched as someone in Las Vegas auctioned a pristine kevlar example off on ebay. IIRC, it sold for about $1200. Hurts to think about it.
IIRC, (and I hope I don't mess up the model name by memory again) the only other model they make/made that I would be interested in was the Traveler. Ends on that one are kind of high for what it is though, IMO. Navarro makes/made a model called the Pursuit, which appeals to me very much.
IIRC, (and I hope I don't mess up the model name by memory again) the only other model they make/made that I would be interested in was the Traveler. Ends on that one are kind of high for what it is though, IMO. Navarro makes/made a model called the Pursuit, which appeals to me very much.
Tim Burris won the National Freestyle title in his Baboosuc. So that illustrates you can be very comfortable in one heeled to the rail. Tim is a tall long armed guy. We all loved looking at his boat but smaller paddlers felt lost in it
Tim used it many years for tripping in the Pine Barrens twisty little rivers.
Alas it was destroyed when an errant truck sideswiped his canoe trailer flipping the trailer. This was last year. He was not able to get a replacement for the Baboosuc
Tim used it many years for tripping in the Pine Barrens twisty little rivers.
Alas it was destroyed when an errant truck sideswiped his canoe trailer flipping the trailer. This was last year. He was not able to get a replacement for the Baboosuc
Looks like Sanborn Canoe Company is looking for donations to save the Merrimack Canoe Company
http://kck.st/1TjC1Z5
http://kck.st/1TjC1Z5
Thanks for putting the link out there Robin, this is going to be the new venture in my life, was looking for something completely new and different since I was "retired" from my finance job last fall. It's my son and my nephew who own Sanborn and myself along with my brother-in-law are joining up with them to try and resurrect and continue on the tradition of the Merrimack line. In a strange twist to researching a used one on Craig's list and finding out the company was dormant, my son had met the previous owner as few years back and one thing led to another and here we are.
That is awesome!
Wow - good luck in your new venture! Dang - you're making me miss that little Navarro, and feel bad again about that ebay Prospector.
Congratulations on the entrepreneurial spirit that runs through your family. I always thought that they are fine looking canoes. I wish you much success.
