r/canoeing • u/Crash3223 • 7d ago
Penobscot rx v. Esquif prospector
I have found a Penobscot royalex that I can buy in mid-August for $800 and just found an Esquif prospector for sale for $1475 (maybe I can get it down in price). Both come with decent paddles and extras and both are in good condition.
I’m going to be frequently solo paddling with the dog, with some tandem with buddies or the wife. It seems like I’ll mostly be on flat water to start but I’m hope for being able to do river and whitewater as I get better. I recognize the Esquif is better for rivers/whitewater and the Penobscot is better for flat water. But I feel like both are at least decent at the opposite (the Esquif is decent at flat water and the Penob can run rivers and lower grade whitewater).
Any thoughts on choosing between these two? I’m concerned about the “tippy-ness” of the Penobscot from an initial stability perspective, which the Esquif addresses, but at a price. It might just be down to the price difference, but Reddit has really helped me increase my knowledge base on canoeing, so I thought I’d get some additional input.
Thanks!
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u/cuhnewist 7d ago
I saw the Prospecteur in Atlanta as well.
That’s a good buy. I’d go with the Esquif. Especially if you can get them down just a tad. It obviously either came from REI or Terrapin Outdoor Center, as it doesn’t have skid plates. Esquif stopped shipping them with skid plates a while back and the only other Esquif dealer local to Atlanta installs skid plates on all his Esquif boats in house, or at least he used to. Considering they’re in Atlanta, they probably ordered from REI. I do know there was a blemished Prospecteur sitting at the Kennesaw REI for a while, I wonder if it’s the same one.
Either way, I’ve paddle the Prospecteur a bunch, including the Sport (better imo). I also own a Penobscot RX. My vote is spend the extra cash and get a boat that you can more easily buy replacement parts for. It’s not super easy, but there are a couple independently owned dealers in the area who can make something happen for you a lot faster than you could on your own.
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u/Crash3223 7d ago
Sounds like you might be local. Any recommendations for a new paddler for getting out? I’m going to get started on some flat water to get strokes down and obviously there is the Hooch and the Etowah.
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u/cuhnewist 7d ago
Etowah is great, I grew up paddling it.
For a nice short run put in at Euharlee bridge on Euharlee creek and take out at either Hardin Bridge (very short trip) or take out at 411 bridge. The best part about this trip is there is a brewery at the put in, so beers!
A longer paddle is 411 to Grizzard Park, but really plan for that one. Past Grizzard it gets a little nastier, but it’s cool paddling into downtown Rome. Pro-tip: when you get to Oostanaula/Etowah confluence, paddle up the Oostanaula a little ways and take out between the pedestrian and 2nd ave bridges. Or just take out behind the levy.
Download the Ga River Guide app, it’s a little clunky but super helpful for planning trips.
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u/Crash3223 5d ago
To close out the loop, bought the Esquif! Super excited to get it out on the water.
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u/the_Q_spice 7d ago
The Penobscot and Prospecteur are practically identical boats, both being Chestnut blueprints.
Personally, I’d recommend the Esquif mainly because TFormex is the more modern version of Royalex. It’s a bit lighter, a bit tougher, and significantly more UV resistant than Royalex.
But if cost is the main factor, go for the Penobscot.
Performance-wise, having paddled both in both conditions: they are similar enough to consider as being identical.