Langford Canoes Prospector 15'

Review Date
June 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Regor(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler

Price Paid:  $1550.00 at Langford Outlet - Ot

Summary:
Bought my Langford 15' Canoe last Fall, although I didn't have lots of time left before winter, I did enjoy it very much. This is my first canoe, so I don't have anything to compare it to beside the few 'test-drives' and odd rentals, and my decision to buy a Langford 15' Kevlar Prospector was based on the following criteria (beside that I wanted it to be 15'): 1. Handling was very nice; I was very tempted by a Bob Special, which handling was VERY responsive, perhaps a little too much to my taste in Solo, but the Langford-modified-Prospector was tracking much better with its Low-V Hull, yet remained quite responsive and easy to handle. 2. Weight was reasonable, not low by any means, but offered a good compromise between Hull Rigidity and Raw Weight (about 50-51 lbs) although somewhat higher than advertised! 3. The Low profile foam-core rib system is nice and 'comfortable' (somehow, the high rounded ribs on the Bob Special had the nasty habit of falling right beneath my knees no matter what position I was in!) and provides much greater hull rigidity (you can actually stand up on the upside-down canoe and not even bend this hull). 4. Very good balance between Primary and Secondary stability that gave me a feeling of security in all water conditions. There is room for improvement: the additional Gel Coat inside the boat that is just 'brushed-in', gives it a bit of a hit on the aesthetic side and Langford could easily do a better job at it. On the other hand this is a canoe not a fine piece of furniture and the inside of the Canoe does take a beating and the Gel Coat (which by the way many vendors don't bother to put in at all to obtain a 'nicer finish' and lower weight) does add more Hull Rigidity, albeit at some cost on the weight side. As for the added Hull Flare atop the tumblehome I have mixed feelings, it does seem to make Solo Paddling a little bit more difficult (again I don’t have much to compare it to), but it sure comes handy in speed-boat-infested waters and I am not afraid to take on a two-foot broadside-wave with it. All-in-all as for any canoe the keyword is compromise, some room for improvement but would I buy this canoe again… I haven’t seen one that I would rather have yet.

Customer Service:
Didn't need it, but the Langford Outlet Manager offered to give me some color-matched gelcoat if and when needed.

Similar Products Used:
Tried the Novacraft Bob Special.

Review Date
May 4, 2001

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Visitors rate this review
2.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: DOMINIC F(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from JEFFERSON

Price Paid:  $1600.00 at FROM MANUFACTURER

Summary:
After searching and paddling numerous canoes I settled on a prospector based kevlar/carbon canoe. After reading the hype about Langford and there "legendary" quality I bite. The 15' Prospector paddles great through no fault or skill of langford. I am not too keen on the unneeded flared hull tacked on to the top of the tumble home, If they wanted to make it more seaworth an additional inch of height would have been adequate. What disturbed me most was the sloppy gelcoat finish on the inside and the overtighened,stripped and bent bolts holding the seats, paddling thwart and carrying yoke. It appears the canoe was slapped together to meet an order. Not much quality for a "top priced, top of the line" quality Canadian canoe.

Customer Service:
The customer service person was corteous and concerned when I called to complain, they payed the shipping. But I would have to send it back to get it corrected. Not something I could afford to do. I emailed the owner to express my concerns in a constructive manner but he did not feel it necessary to reply.

Similar Products Used:
None