It is in our nature to see a problem and offer a solution. Tandem canoes have several advantages and several limitations. This page will attempt to explore the limitations and explain that sometimes BIGGER IS BETTER.
Tandem canoes are designed to hold two adults. Mix in a few kids, the dog and an increased volume of camp gear and your tandem canoe is no longer practical. What a shame – kids love canoeing and camping but Mom and Dad with their 15 foot tandem canoe may just have to set aside canoe camping with the kids, find a babysitter for now and save up for another tandem canoe. That way when kids become teenagers they can occupy their own paddling positions and the family can once again canoe together, hopefully they are still interested.
Our MacKenzie 20 foot canoe brings the fun back to young families. It can hold 1500 lbs. and provides seating for 2 adults and 4 children. These canoes weigh roughly the same as a plastic tandem canoe and can be portaged in the usual manner. Once afloat the feelings of extra size go away as you seem to travel as fast as ever.
Two couples canoeing in two separate tandem canoes is fun but put all four adults in one Mackenzie 20 and the “fun factor” goes off the chart. When everyone’s in the same boat the social dynamic changes but more importantly there’s no cause for marital stress when the slower canoe falls behind the lead canoe – can’t happen! – no arguments.
Think of the savings – 4 people, one car, one canoe on a single roof rack verses 4 people 2 cars and 2 canoes on two roof racks consuming fuel at two times the single car rate. The social aspect improves again as everyone is traveling together in the car. As well, the per person or per seat cost of renting a Mackenzie 20 is a fraction of the rental cost of two separate tandem canoes .
Now maybe you are only two people but would like to enjoy a “few extras” around camp – bring it on. A few hundred extra pounds of gear on the way to your campsite is no problem. Enjoy the folding chairs and the bigger ice cooler. Then there’s the hunting, fishing, and long distance expeditions that might come up.
There’s lot of reasons to consider the versatility of a Mackenzie 20; it’s not just economical but hopefully far more unique and memorable. Each year we keep increasing our fleet of MacKenzie 20’s but they still seem to be in short supply most weekends. Guess the word is getting around.
For some videos on how to proficiently use a larger canoe click below.
Videos
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