I live on a smaller rocky river/creek class 1 and 2 water and am wanting to buy a beater fun canoe. My intention is to solo mostly and the occasional day tandem, not a lot of gear and maybe fish out of. I currently solo paddle a Wenonah kevlar "Encounter" on lakes, but not ideal for this application.
On my local Craig's list are many Old Town Guide's, Discoverys, and Pack canoes. Once in awhile are Mad River Endeavors and some serious White Water types of canoes. These all pop up pretty cheap, usually just a couple hundred bucks and all some type of RX or Poly. I also want to play with free style type of paddling but not seriously more of a style to improve my other paddling skills.
I recently picked up a Penobscot 16, but it's hogged back and a waste of money and a lesson learned. And I don't see them very often out here vs the others above. I thought it was going to be the perfect canoe for banging down the river and I got excited and bought it without doing my due diligence. Oh well.
Your thoughts?
Doug T

How much "beating" are expecting? My sister's family has an old town in ABS, a saranac I think, the thing is a tank. Although you will not achieve a whole lot of finesse. Lol.

After the twins were born brother in law and I took a short trip down a small river, Congaree?, near Columbia, SC. Not a bad little boat for some river day tripping.

I would pickup one of those $200 colemans i see on craigslist all the time. Tear it up and go get another.

Wick: "I would pickup one of those $200 colemans i see on craigslist all the time. Tear it up and go get another."

I loved our old Coleman :) Heavy as could be but we beat the crap out of it as kids and you'd never know it.

I would look at an old Blue Hole or a Mad River Explorer. You can find both reasonably priced from time to time.

May not be classified as "beater" but e-glass composite is very durable and easily repaired at home. I have bashed many a rock in II+ rated rivers paddling a TuffWeave Wenonah Spirit 2.

"Blue Hole or a Mad River Explorer" Kyle your roots are showing!

butthead