With a slight V bottom and 2" of rocker in the ends, this design tracks well in flat water, and with only a slight lean, the high volume hull maneuvers easily in swift currents. This sixteen footer's glide and load capacity compare favorably to most other 17' canoes. Built of durable Royalex, the Explorer has extra material reinforcing critical wear points to endure years of hard use with minimal care.

 Royalex®
No model comes closer to being the ultimate all-around canoe than the Royalex Explorer. That's probably why it's our #1 seller. From day outings to wilderness trips, for tandem performance or occasional solo use, and on whitewater rivers and placid lakes, the Explorer has become a favorite of beginners and experts alike. The Explorer's renowned secondary stability is unmatched in rough water conditions, inspiring confidence in paddlers of all ability levels. (Specifications)
Fiberglass
The fiberglass Explorer combines a more affordable material with the excellent paddling performance characteristics of the Explorer design. Stable and secure, the high volume Explorer easily carries family and gear on a casual afternoon paddle or an extended outing. With sharper bow and stern profiles than its Royalex counterpart, the fiberglass Explorer features a better glide, making it ideal for paddling on lakes and gentle rivers. (Specifications)

Constructed of Mad River's custom woven fiberglass cloth, the hull is laminated with selective Kevlar® brand fiber in high-wear areas. Graphite reinforced ends add additional imact resistance.

This Explorer combines the well-known maneuverability, stability and paddling ease of the Explorer design with an expedition-tough lay-up utilizing as many as 11 individual layers of cloth woven from Kevlar® brand fiber in high-wear areas. Graphite-reinforced ends add additional impact resistance.

 Kevlar® brand fiber
This Explorer, made with Kevlar® brand fiber, is a lightweight canoe with tremendous structural strength in comparison to its fiberglass counterpart. For the discriminating canoeist searching for maximum performance, very high durability, and minimum weight, this Explorer sets a standard of excellence unsurpassed in contemporary canoe design and construction. Now available at 51 lbs. in our aluminum gunwale system. (Specifications)
Lightweight
When weight savings is a primary consideration and where usage will be confined to lakes and smooth flowing rivers, the Lightweight Explorer is an ideal choice. This sophisticated craft, with its stiffer and more efficient paddling hull, is well-suited to situations where weight reduction is more critical than impact resistance. At just 39 lbs. with aluminum gunwales, it is a perfect canoe for seniors or any paddlers who car-top or portage frequently. (Specifications)

Kevlar® brand fiber, Core Cell® foam, and a skin coat of resin rather than a gel coat make this the lightest of the Explorers. Designed for weight savings and efficient paddling, this canoe is the least impact resistant and abrasion resistant of our Explorer models. Available in two gunwale systems.
Texas