Thread: Canoe opinion?
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 8
Default Canoe opinion?


riverman wrote:
wrote:
Am looking at a boat from Dicks Sporting goods...they have it branded
as a Woodsman by Wilderness. Wilderness is part of Confluence
Watersports which owns Dagger and Mad river, looks like it is made by
Mad River it is a Horizon 15 with wood/nylon webed seats. It is a
royalex boat that is 15'2" and weighs 56lbs. Has vinyl rails,
It is on clearance for $450 right
now....http://www.madrivercanoe.com/zoom_bo...zon_15_rx.jpg#
Any experience with one/ royalex?
Thanks
Toby



Now for the boat itself. What you told us is a bit concerning. By
'Wilderness', I assume you mean "Wilderness Systems", which is owned by
CW. Problem is, Wilderness Systems boats are kayaks and SOTs (sit on
tops)....they don't make canoes (as far as I know). If CW is taking one
of their MR Horizons (which is a fine boat) and relabeling it as a WS
'Woodsman', you need to find out why. It might be a new marketing deal,
or their might be a bad hull that they don't want to put the 'MR' name
on, or you might have some of your facts mixed up. I don't know of any
"Wilderness Woodsman" boat.

But if its a MR Horizon 16' for $450, they are selling it for less than
half its market price. Check it out VERY carefully....it might be an
excellent find, or it might be a lemon in disguise. Personally, I'd be
a bit wary.

Anyone else got input?

--riverman



I found some posts on paddling.net about this particular canoe, from
what I've read the older ones were made by Bell but the newer ones are
made by MR. HTH

Here's the thread, it's from last summer:

http://www.paddling.net/message/showThread.html?fid=advice&tid=501503

Here's a few of the posts:

Answer - Mad River Horizon 15
Posted by: blk on Jun-30-06 8:47 PM (EST)
Dicks Sporting Goods is having an Outdoor Expo in the parking lot
outside their big store in Robinson Township, PA today.

I saw a Woodsman sitting right next to a Mad River Canoe. I saw
identical seat drops, very similar deck plates - with a round circle
stamped ito the plastic in the same size and position where Mad River
puts their rabbit. Checked the HINs, both had the same MICs - WEM -
Confluence Water sports.

Spoke the the Mad River Rep. - Who building these boats for Dicks?
Answer: We do.

BLK


horizon 15
Posted by: Ben7 on Jul-01-06 11:54 PM (EST)
Yeah,
After more checking on the specs I believe that this is a Horizon 15. I
emailed the company to try to get verification, but they didn't
respond. Whoever made it it is a nice canoe at a good price. Also the
"woodsman" lettering peals off very easily. Just get yourself a decal
of a rabbit smoking a pipe and no one will know the difference : ).


woodsman canoe
Posted by: ml1804 on Jul-01-06 8:29 PM (EST)
I've had the same questions about this canoe.

I'm considering purchasing the same canoe myself. After several visits
to the store, and several phone calls to Dicks, here is what I have
found. My first visit, the salesperson had no idea who made the canoe.
When I called on the phone, they told me it was built by wilderness
designs. I called back to verify, and another salesperson told me that
the manufacturer was definately Bell.

They don't have it in stock, and they won't order one until I give them
a 50% deposit. I'm still confused. I'm not sure if this helps.