You'll find a lot of Mad River Tahoe 16 canoes out on the lakes and lazy rivers, even though Mad River no longer actively produces this model. The larger of the Tahoe models, the 16, offers a stable, durable, high-capacity family model canoe that works for general recreation purposes.
Materials
Built of multi-layer Royalex, this vinyl/ABS/foam sandwich construction wraps a sturdy, buoyant core in a slippery vinyl skin. The hull, available only in green, tends to be a bit more sturdy than other Royalex canoes because Mad River tends to heavily reinforces stress points for added hull strength.
Hull Shape
Slightly rockered for better maneuverability, the Tahoe's 15-foot 10-inch hull length and 38-inch beam give the boat primary and secondary stability, while loading or paddling in still or choppy water. The symmetrical hull shape trades speed for tracking and reliable turning ability. Not designed for racing, the Tahoe handles best on lakes and slow rivers.
Durability
Lighter than canoes made of aluminum, polyethylene and wood and sturdier than fiberglass or Kevlar, the Royalex Tahoe models are designed to be impact-resistant, and more lightweight to allow them to be lifted and carried by families with children.
Features
The Tahoe's 1,100-pound carrying capacity is large for a canoe of average length. It's woven cane and ash seats, thwarts and gunwales are cooler to the touch in warm weather. The boat also comes with an aluminum gunwale system if you prefer metal trim.
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