Nova Craft Prospector 16 Tuffstuff Expedition

Here’s everything you need to know about Nova Craft Prospector 16 Tuffstuff Expedition. Find all the information it in this article.

Paddling empty and solo, (I’m about 225 lbs) the rocker is more noticeable than in the Pathfinder and will be countered with buckets or coolers if I should do solo trips. The color of the inside surface is light much cooler than in my previous boat . Time will tell on whether it will hold up to my bad habits as long as the Royalex, but I’m optimistic. The Workhorse of the Canadian north, our Prospector 16’ feels most at home loaded with gear on a remote wilderness lake or river. Whats more, it provides a very dry ride in big waves and whitewater. Lightweight version of the Prospector 16 made from Nova Craft’s lightweight TuffStuff material, with a larger carrying capacity than the 15 foot version.

They use woven fiberglass cloth to make a truly superior hull. Fiberglass canoes are great for recreational and cottage use and are a good choice for budget-minded individuals. Since 1971 and a trip down the Eastmain, I have paddled prospectors. In 1971, they were wood and canvas from Chestnut Canoe Company. Since the early Eighties, I have paddled Nova Craft’s model 17′. Like its wood and canvas predecessor, it can handle all sorts of water.

Light! I’m A Strong Woman,

I have seen it advertised at both weights, and the seller whose boat I tested told me 64 lbs. Explorer 17, and to get it up over my head and onto a car, so even if it is 64 lbs., it is quite a bit lighter than the Explorer, which is made of full thickness, bomb-proof, Royalex. Weight is more of an issue here, since my Prospector is the “standard” Royalex lay-up.

Upon their return, I asked Wayne what his impressions of the new canoe material were and he replied with one word – phenomenal. He said the canoe endured many impacts in rapids and against canyon walls, all without showing any signs of problems. You can view images of this trip on their website and Facebook page. After this, our confidence in this new material skyrocketed.

Extremely Lightweight Canoe With Great All

All that was required were some extreme, real-world tests of a TuffStuff canoe being put through its paces on whitewater. We decided to send a canoe out to MEC Calgary, so that their staff could determine whether or not it was suitable whitewater material. The canoe is subjected to tons of abuse, the most extreme of which is a wrap around a big rock in the middle of the Bow River. The TuffStuff Expedition canoe survives the wrap and they continue to paddle for the rest of the day. Any concerns about real-world durability were quickly being put to rest. The Enigma Key canoe paddle is a traditional beavertail design constructed from quality pine, mahogany and ash with a clear lacquer for a clean finish and to increase durability.

It’s lightweight construction makes it easier to portage and car top and it is even possible to carry Singlehandedly. The Nova Craft prospector 16 Tuff Stuff comes with 2 ash wood and bootlace seats fitted as standard, deluxe carrying yoke, thwart, carry handles and built-in buoyancy tanks in the bow and stern. Options such as factory fitted skid plates, kneeling thwart and special colours are also available upon request. I wanted to thank Nova Craft Canoe for making such a wonderful product. I have been researching the perfect all around canoe for some time now and I am happy to say that I think I found it. I recently purchased a Prospector 17 to fill all of my canoe needs.

Nationwide Click & Collect

There are 2 ash and bootlace seats as standard giving maximum comfort for even extended paddling trips. The tough SP3 canoes are very popular for centres and rental operators due to their durability, superb construction and low maintenance. The Nova Craft Prospector 16 in Tuff Stuff is a popular and widely paddled canoe due to its’ size being ideal for both tandem and solo paddling. Now with the arrival of Nova Craft’s superb Tuff Stuff and Tuff Stuff Expedition materials, the Prospector 16 is amazingly light and so easy to portage considering its’ size.

We also stock the The Nova craft Prospector 16 SP3 plastic construction, as well as other materials being available to order. The Nova Craft Prospector 15 Tuff Stuff is available for instore collection from Norfolk Canoes or from any branch within the Canoe Shops Group. If you would like the Nova Craft Prospector 15 Tuff Stuff delivered, please contact us with your address details and we can discuss the options for delivery using our fleet of Canoe Shops vehicles.

About Tuffstuff

A great cheap lightweight open canoe paddle with aluminium shaft and Polypropylene plastic blade. Lightweight, tough and an ideal spare paddle or for rocky areas when you don’t want to be using your nice wooden paddle. This boat strikes me as handling and tracking pretty well, but I was testing it solo, with no load on a windy day and a shallow lake, so I had to work to control it.

Probably the 15 would be better, but it depends what kind of water you intend paddling on, and how much gear. For open water with no gear, or day trips on Grade 2 rivers, the 15 would be better, but overnight or much whitewater the 16 might be dryer. Fiberglass is an affordable composite material with a proven track record of durability. Nova Craft’s fiberglass hulls are among the lightest and most rugged on the market today.

Lightweight Canoes

Pal is slightly less good on whitewater and choppy stuff, but is better on straight line sheltered water stuff. If you’re doing moderate whitewater and choppy stuff with camping gear, a Prospector will be great. The difference between the two won’t be that noticeable, you just need to learn to handle it, and especially to trim the canoe properly, in the wind.

Click here to see more details of the Nova Craft Prospector 16 in SP3. The most surprising thing about it was how comfortable it was to portage. I have fun with the other boats, and enjoy each ones special purpose, but when I don’t know what to expect, I take the prospector. Only downer is the stupid rope pulls in the bow and stern. The dealer in Cabin John, MD gave me the best deal.Have fun, be safe, go far, u can do with this boat.

Nova Craft Prospector 16 Tuffstuff Expedition

It’s ridged and very responsive, great on rivers, and with the keel tracks well on lakes with very few correction strokes, great all round versatile canoe. I have yet to find a fault with it, it even looks great. I ordered mine in Royalite from Rutabaga.com and got it in 4 days via roadway express. I paddle it mostly solo and with camping gear and it has performed flawlessly. I paddle heeled over , Canadian Style and paddling off the right side all of the time.

Tuffstuff Expedition

The Prospector 16 TuffStuff is a lightweight canoe that excels on longer river trips but is equally at home carrying the family for an afternoon picnic. Because the material is nearly indestructible, it makes them attractive to owners who plan to subject them to hard use with little maintenance. While SP3 canoes are our heaviest boats, they are also the most affordable canoes we produce. These canoes are ideal for canoe liveries and rental shops since they will give many years of faithful service at an attractive price.

Dan, Since Outfitting A Boat

Tough canoe barrels are ideal for storing kit when open canoeing. Lashed to the canoe they also provide some additional buoyancy. Ottertail design that cuts through the water effortlessly.

I’ve Had My Prospector 16 For

Very comfortable portage yoke and the handling of the canoe is excelent. At 56 pounds the canoe is effortless to portage and manuver in tight places. I have had it for four years and have gone on many trips in both whitewater and lake tripping. The only thing I wish was a bit better would be the fit and finish of the wood work to the hull.

TuffStuff is a new composite material made of basalt and Innegra fibers. When they are woven together into a cloth and infused with our high impact vinylester resin system, the result is simply amazing! TuffStuff canoes are a great choice for paddlers looking for a light canoe thats tough enough to last – the perfect replacement for Royalex. What’s more, it provides a very dry ride in big waves and white water. It is simply the best all round wilderness tripping canoe available. TuffStuff is a composite material made of basalt and Innegra fibers.

Nova Craft Prospector 16 Tuff Stuff And Tuffstuff Expedition

We have been paddling the Prospector 17 for two years now and it has become our favorite canoe. The Prospector 15′ is a scaled-down version of our larger Prospectors that’s faithful to the original lines in every way. You get all the great handling features that make the Prospector a paddling legend, in a package that’s a bit smaller and more responsive. The P15 is an ideal choice for paddlers who want a tripping boat but don’t need the extra volume.