New for 2024, the Prospector 14 (P14) from Nova Craft Canoe is the first solo offering in the brand’s bestselling Prospector series. And this tough little tripper seems destined to become a classic.
Nova Craft’s Prospector 14 is perfect for going solo
Nova Craft Prospector 14 Specs
Length: 14’
Width: 32”
Depth: 13.5”
Weight: 45 lbs
Capacity: 550 lbs
MSRP: $3,719 CAD
novacraft.com
The P14 was created to respond to the increasing popularity of solo tripping. “There’s a lot more activity in the last three or four years in solo,” says Nova Craft owner Chris Rath. “Not all go tripping, but if you want to go into the backcountry and want to carry some gear and the lake is quasi-large, you want capacity and stability.”
Whether solo trippers simply prefer to paddle their own canoes, go solo because they don’t know anyone else interested in wilderness tripping, or are just looking for some true solitude, the P14 is built to handle the backcountry easily. And it’ll make a compelling argument it’s the only tripping companion you really need while you’re out there.
The P14 isn’t Nova Craft’s only solo design, but the brand’s three other solo models have specialized purposes. The 12-foot Trapper is designed for fishing small waterways, the 14-foot Fox is a flatwater cruiser, and the longer and rocker-heavy Supernova excels as a solo river tripper.
“We were missing a solo design to meet the needs of a backcountry tripper who could encounter various paddling conditions in a wilderness park. It had to be something compact, easy to portage and manage solo,” says Sara Mills, marketing manager at Nova Craft. “With the Fox on one side of the solo spectrum and the Supernova on the opposite, we needed a compromise—something with whitewater capabilities but not a pig to paddle on flatwater.”
Enter the versatile P14. Intended to handle trips with mixed conditions, it lives up to the Prospector’s reputation of being a Swiss Army knife.
Just about every contemporary canoe builder makes a Prospector. Each manufacturer’s version of the design differs, but the category can best be defined as a general wilderness tripper with above-average depth, width and rocker. When paddling a Prospector, canoeists expect a versatile and rugged workhorse, able to perform in wind, waves and rapids, all while carrying an expedition load. It’s one of the most popular canoe designs of all time, and its 100-year acclaim is partly attributed to Bill Mason’s praise of the Chestnut Prospector and lamentation of its demise when the Chestnut Canoe Company went bankrupt in 1979.
Nova Craft Canoe was among the first modern canoe manufacturers to develop a composite replica, which was released in 1984. Today, its Prospectors are known for their “classic lines, greater capacity, and greater initial and secondary stability,” according to Rath. The new P14 is the fifth Prospector in Nova Craft’s series. Nova Craft’s tandem Prospectors come in 15-, 16-, 17- and 18-foot lengths, each with a 36-inch width, 14-inch center depth, and 2.5 inches of rocker.
Design & performance
Up until now, plenty of canoeists have solo tripped with Nova Craft’s Prospectors, particularly the 15- and 16-foot models. The canoes’ symmetrical designs allow them to be paddled backwards from the bow seat. So, how does the P14 differ?
While the P14 retains the moderate rocker of its tandem counterparts and just a half-inch less of depth, it’s four inches slimmer. So, if you’re used to paddling one of Nova Craft’s larger Prospectors, you may feel a difference in the P14’s initial stability. How much you notice the difference is totally subjective. Paddler size, experience, what you’re used to paddling, and trim all impact how stable a canoe feels to you.
At 32 inches wide, most paddlers will find the P14 plenty stable. Like its lengthier siblings, its shallow-arch hull is confidence-inspiring. Whether weaving through marsh flats, bouncing down small rapids or bobbing through mild chop on a big lake, the P14 is reliable. Reminiscent of a steadfast tripping companion, it was never fussy, did what needed doing, and was dang good company.
There are more benefits to paddling a purpose-built solo tripping canoe instead of a larger tandem paddled backwards, too. First of all, the P14 has less heft. It has a more comfortable paddling station. Most importantly, the P14’s compact shape and easier reach will translate into improved boat control for many soloists.
At 13.5 inches deep and with a capacity of 550 pounds, the P14 maintains a solidly high capacity for its size. Just what you would expect from a Prospector. There is ample room for all your tripping gear. And if you travel light, there’s even room for a dog.
Nova Craft offers the P14 in its full range of composite materials, from a 35-pound aramid layup to a 50-pound fiberglass version. Our tester model is made in TuffStuff, Nova Craft’s bestselling hull material, which debuted a decade ago to respond to the loss of Royalex from the canoe market. It’s a durable layup for backcountry tripping, allowing a paddler to bang the canoe around a bit without worry and providing peace of mind when tackling unexpected shallows.
And it’s reasonably light, too. At 45 pounds, our P14 tester is manageable for most solo paddlers, both on the shoulders when portaging and at the take-out when loading solo.
Prospector 14 outfitting
With the Prospector 14, there’s no shortage of outfitting options. You can add skid plates, kneepads, cages for whitewater tripping, or an expedition deck if you’re traveling big water. Our tester features Nova Craft’s standard aluminum gunwales, but I’d be tempted to opt for ash gunwales for an instantly warm and classic look.
Because the seat is close to the P14’s center, paddling with a permanent yoke won’t be possible for many paddlers. That’s why Nova Craft offers a removable yoke. It consists of steel brackets and a cotter pin on each side. The removable yoke system installs and de-installs in seconds. Super simple. In testing, I found smaller paddlers can easily slip in behind the removable yoke and comfortably paddle with it installed—perhaps ideal for route sections with many small lakes and portages. Larger paddlers will have to remove the yoke to be comfortable, which is how Nova Craft recommends you paddle the P14 on your next solo wilderness adventure.
Where to buy the P14
Prospector 14 Solo TuffStuff
Prospector 14 Solo Aramid Lite
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This article was first published in Issue 72 of Paddling Magazine. The only tripping companion you really need. | Feature photo: Geoff Whitlock
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