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I purchased this canoe about a year ago to use with my 2HP Honda outboard. I paddle every week and run out of paddling partner to run a shuttle. So I put the motor on and run up river then take it off and paddle back. My wife and I have also used it to pleasure sightseeing. It is a wide and stable canoe, great for fishing, and wide enough for carrying camping gear. It handles well in a pretty good wind and chop because of the extended chine to push oncoming water down and away from the boat. This is a class boat made from durable fiberglass, with a 20-mil gelcoat surface with reinforced keels and gunwales, oak thwarts, vinyl rails, and two seats. With a weight of 45 lbs it is easy to load on my van.

It’s been over five years since I first wrote a review on this boat so it’s time for an update. A generally great all around kayak. The oval shaped bottom performs like some surfing kayaks and it still can make the twists and turns of the many Florida rivers. The fixed rudder (skeg) that is molded into the bottom of the boat makes for excellent tracking on windy days. It handles rough water in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico and does well in the surf and paddles through wind and chop with ease. Every time I lift the kayak on top of my Van I appreciate the fiberglass hull that allows a 16’ kayak to only weigh in at 50 lbs and you can still buy this kayak for around what you would pay for a plastic boat. River or open water this kayak makes for an enjoyable paddle and the extra large hatch in back provides ample storage space for a river camping trip.

I have now logged over 10,000 miles on the trailer. I live in Orlando and this includes trips all over FL., Ozark rivers in MO., Buffalo river in AK., whitewater trips in NC. The majority of the miles are highway at 65 -75 mph and I have no problem getting through the Atlanta mess at rush hour with the trailer. I have also used it on forest roads (washed out, sandy, bumpy). I am extremely pleased with the trailer. Also with Jim Martin of Jimco Mfg. He is always available to take a phone call or calls back.

The problem that I had early on was the fenders kept blowing off and I would call Jim and we would discuss. He made two modifications. The first one helped but did not solve the problem and I told him to forget the fenders. The trailer does not need them but a couple of weeks later he called me and said he was sending me another set to try out. I have put about 2,500 miles on the trailer with the new fenders and they work fine. Jim is always working to improve his line of trailers.

I have several boats. I have carried a 17' sea kayak, 14' solo canoe, 13' whitewater canoe, 10' whitewater inflatable. I have also used it as a shuttle vehicle and carried four boats, it will carry three canoes easily and many combinations. I have mounted a large plastic box on the bed that I carry paddling gear.

As for bouncing around - no this is not a problem. The trailer handles the same with one boat on the side or one on each side. On my trip to AR. I brought up one canoe and one of the other paddlers had a problem with his Mohawk canoe so I brought it back to Orlando for him (their factory is outside Orlando).

As far as other trailers. I researched every other light boat trailer on the market. Reviewed web sites, read msg boards and the trailers that I had some interest in I called and talked to the Mfg. The only one that came close was a bike trailer sold in Calif. that is modified for carrying kayaks.

I believe that Jimco has a bike mount for the trailer. I do not bike so not positive.

At age 58 with the usual knee, elbow, back, chest, muscle, pulls and sprains and the purchase of a new Voyager van I decided that it is time to stop lifting my kayaks and canoe on the top of my vehicles. Living in Florida I paddle an average of three days a week from the Keys to North Carolina. So trailer shopping I went. In reading reviews I realized I needed a high speed, lightweight trailer that was built to haul light loads. If I put my two kayaks and one canoe on the trailer that is only 120-lbs. total and I often only take one boat. I also paddle in salt water regularly so corrosion is a serious concern. Florida, Alabama and GA do not have the best put-in, take-outs so I need to be able to lift the back end of the trailer when maneuvering. Also total weight is important when dollying up or down a steep boat ramp. I'm not an expert trailer backer upper. In reading the reviews I determined that biting the bullet and spending the extra money was the only acceptable solution. The majority of trailers were too heavy and not made for hauling kayaks/canoes at high speeds while being light enough for me to lift and dolly up and down steep grades. That left the market to two that are similar one in California and the one I purchased, Portage Trailer by Jimco, Inc. is designed and manufactured by Jim who explained to me that he is an active paddler who wanted a trailer to do the things that I discussed above. The trailer comes in a kit form but is basically completed. The instructions are simple to follow and are easier to put together then a ten-speed bike. So I it together and it looks good. Now the proof is in the pudding. Friday I drive up to Goose Pasture in North Florida. The first 180 miles are freeway at 70 mph. The trailer and canoe ride fine. The next 12 miles are dirt forest roads that are typical rutted, washed roads. Lots of bouncing around but the suspension system is designed for this so the boats ride fine. Saturday and Sunday we shuttled through the forest and paddled the Aucilla River. Sunday back home at 70 mph. This trailer worked like a dream come true for me. The other paddlers in the group really smiled because they like the shuttle possibilities, my set up will carry three canoes or five kayaks or some combinations. Oh, one more thing Jim of Jimco, Inc. is just a phone call away. This is a high tech trailer and I do not try to understand the type welding but I'm sure Jim will tell you all about it. Feel free to email me about MY trailer.

This is the only fiberglass boat I know of that retails for under $900 new. The first time I tried out this boat I found that it handles very well at almost 16' with no rudder. It tracks well in windy open water. Still turns easily on a narrow creek. The cockpit is quite large and I found that I was siding around. The manufacture has since put in the hardware for a clip in seat. Now with the adjustable seat I find that this my be my favorite kayak. One other concern that I had was weight. This is not a problem because the boat only weights 49 lbs. There are bulkheads front and back with a large hatch in the back and a small hatch in the front. Plenty of room to pack for a paddling camping trip.