About ten years ago we bought Esquif's Prospecteur as an all purpose family boat. The first trip five of us and camping stuff paddled across a lake. Now it's out every year from spring melt until after the leaves fall. The boat started on flat water but now spends most of it's time in Class II and III (and the teenagers have taken it through a few IV's). It's been banged into more rocks from the side, front, and underneath than I thought possible. It sure doesn't look like new but it has taken a beating from ma&pa and three now teenagers.
It's a great tripping boat. That has carried us on a thousands of miles of expedition. It handles well loaded and it's fun and responsive when empty. For an all-round boat it can't be beat! It is everyone's (in this family) preferred boat on whitewater trips. It'll be a sad day when it gets retired.
