Multiple canoe buy for a school club

[memaquay]

Last year I bought several new canoes, some in tough stuff, some in fiberglass. One of our schools is starting up a program, and I'm wondering what the best layup is right now. Has anyone heard if Esquif is going to start exporting their royalex sheets? Tuff stuff is ok, but I'm wondering what long term survival in our sharp rock country will be like. I don't see it being much better than fiberglass for general travel, but much more expensive.

I used to be able to buy royalex canoes for around 1600.00. There is nothing comparable for durability, weight and price in the market place right now.

Thoughts?

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I see Wenonah is listing models in T-formex now. I have no idea how it compares.

 

[Canotrouge]

I think the days of 1600 dollars canoes (new) are over, even T-formex boat is almost the same price as a Hellman Duratuff. and I would go with Hellman blindfolded! The best boat there is made right here in Canada and they are tough boats.

 

[memaquay]

Has anyone paddled the Esquif canoes? I'm looking at the Presage, although it's a bit too small for our purposes. The Prospecteur is nice looking too, but at 76 lbs, I could almost go poly and save a bunch of cash. I see the Wennonh Spirit 2 in T-Formex is only 64 pounds. I'll have to see if anyone sells them around here.

 

[Iskweo]

Perhaps I am missing something but would it not be best to get boats they can repair? Could that not be a good winter retirement job for some old guy locally?? I did like the stability of that Spirit 2 and it could work out in a tougher layup. Nice and light as it was. For cheaper boats perhaps Clipper?

Perhaps see about getting the rental fleet from Wilderness Supply...they might work a deal if it involved taking the whole fleet off their hands in the fall.