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I bought the Pelican Explorer DLX model from Canadian Tire up here in Canada in 2007 and while not the most luxurious or lightest canoe out there its served my Brother and I- both rank amateurs- very well over the years and I'm starting to believe the things about bullet proof. According to the literature that came with it, its rated at 81 lbs and I believe it. With no carrying yoke it is a monster on portages but between the two of us we've worked out a system where we can carry the thing over fairly long portages comfortably and so far its worked well. I got it on sale for I think $499 Canadian and without a doubt I've had my moneys worth out of it.

As I say I'm an amateur and still learning as I go but this things been sunk three quarters full at the edge of a lake, dragged out, emptied, reloaded and we just carried on on our way. Its been dragged down low rivers over rocks and dragged a good way down more than one portage and the thing still holds its hull shape and paddles ok although its getting pretty scratched up now.

Although I'm looking into getting a canoe that's lighter and a little better suited to real expedition tripping, for the price I'd buy another of these in a heartbeat. Takes a licking, keeps on ticking and although a little slow to paddle compared to other canoes it tracks well- it has a keel- and will make a great fishing and mucking about boat for a long time to come