Mad River Canoe’s iconic Explorer design is getting a new lay-up for the new season.
Taking advantage of advances in materials and resins, Mad River released the Explorer in their new Fiberglass Expedition (FGX) material for 2015. This new hybrid laminate lay-up makes for a durable canoe at a moderate price.
“We made fiberglass-based Explorers for almost 30 years,” says Mad River brand manager and boat designer, Buff Grubb. “Now we’ve brought them back in an updated lay-up to help fill the void created by the loss of Royalex.”
Though not a substitute for Royalex, the Explorer FGX feels plenty tough for trippers and cottagers who don’t need the rockbashing capabilities of a true whitewater hull. Longtime fans of the Mad River line can expect a more impact and abrasion resistant hull with FGX than with Mad River’s previous fiberglass models.
The Explorer was first introduced in 1973 in fiberglass. “In a sense we’ve come full circle on this one,” says Grubb.
Designed by Mad River founder Jim Henry, the Explorer was released just four years after the company’s very first canoe, the Malecite. Deeper and wider than the Malecite, the Explorer matured into Mad River’s bestselling boat and remains so to this day. The key to its longevity and popularity has been its versatility.
“It’s got plenty of capacity to be a pocket north country tripper as well as a family boat; sufficient stability to serve fishermen and sportsmen, and it’s seaworthy enough for big open waters,” says Grubb.
The Explorer was the first open canoe to successfully run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in the ‘70s. Its 1,100-pound capacity can easily handle weeks worth of tripping gear, or a hunter and a brawny elk.
On the water the Explorer’s symmetrical, shallow-V hull creates easy, predictable handling and excellent stability. We had no qualms about standing up to snap a few photos. Just over two inches of rocker in the bow and stern allow for a balance between tracking and maneuverability.
Paddling up-river into a stiff headwind, I was impressed to find that the Explorer kept up-to-speed with minimal effort. The vivid red hull and fine, signature ash trim and cane seats of our tester model made it an instant favorite around the Canoeroots office.
According to Grubb, “About the only discernable difference between our current Explorer models is the weight differential.”
The FGX version averages about 63 pounds versus the Kevlar Expedition at 52 pounds and Ultralight at 45 pounds.
With the Explorer FGX you get a proven hull design that is capable and versatile. If you’re budget-conscious and looking for a beautiful boat that allows for a wide range of paddling, it’s hard to beat the Explorer.
This article first appeared in the Early Summer 2015 issue of Canoeroots and Family Camping magazine.
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