Mad River Canoe’s story unfolds on a picturesque hillside in Vermont, circa: 1971. In his backyard shed, Jim Henry, the company founder, began his mission to build a better canoe through innovative thought, design and materials. With confidence in his abilities, he designed and built the first Malacite model. He then raced in – and won – the Downriver National Championship and the rest, you know. Word spread and demand grew. A tradition of innovation was born.
The irony is, while Mad River Canoe has been the innovator in design and materials all these years, it’s the great tradition of canoeing that goes back thousands of years that has kept us so popular generation after generation
Versatile
In much the same way that Rabbit felt confident on all manner of terrain, our Versatile Canoes will help you feel confident on both flat and white water adventures. The moderate rocker and durable material offer all around performance with minimal compromise: the best design for most water. If your paddling takes you from rivers to lakes, our Versatile Canoes are your best bet.
Explorer Series
This durable series is equally at home on the river as it is on open water. The Explorer Series tracks well and cruises on flat water and is seaworthy enough to handle chop, wind and waves with confidence.
Manufactured Triple Tough TM for years of rugged, maintenance-free reliability, the Explorer TTs also offer versatility and stability for tandem paddlers or the whole family.
The Malecite is fast and efficient and accommodates both solo and tandem paddling. And the Freedom Solo is, quite simply, the most versatile solo boat on the market for mixed water conditions and uses.
The question is inevitable. And the answer is yes. There is, in fact, a Mad River. Its waters run through Waitsfield, Vermont, where Mad River Canoe was first founded. Our River Canoes are good, adaptable boats designed with added emphasis on performance in moving waters, favoring maneuverability over tracking.
Legend Series
The shallow arch hull and moderate rocker of these canoes allow for effortless exploration and discovery of your favorite river along with its treasures.
The process of designing and building boats is as much art as science. And for many of us, the journey can be more rewarding than the destination. If you are one who appreciates the beauty and discovery of the journey, then our Touring Canoes were crafted with you in mind. Designed for cruising on open waters, these hulls and material offer a light weight and maximum paddling efficiency.
Expedition Series
At 55-58 lbs. and 18' 6" long, the Expedition is bringing tripping back in a big way. Designed with very little rocker and an asymmetrical hull, this hybrid composite "super" canoe will track true and stay on course throughout your entire journey.
Rabbit's reputation as a trickster reminds us to incorporate an element of play in our days as well as our designs. And always end our day with a smile. We invite you to do the same and offer our Whitewater Canoes to help find the fun. These are very specialized boats for high level whitewater play. These tried and true designs can go anywhere a kayak can go and have won more than their share of whitewater championships.
Outrage / Caption Series
When you say "play boat" the image in your head is the Outrage. Designed for different sized paddlers, select the edition that fits you best. And for tandem performance and agility, Caption is the only name you need to know.
The innovation we bring to the canoe industry is not limited to design and construction. We're constantly investigating new ways to grow our family of paddlers. For those who are newly introduced to this world or who are looking for a low maintenance solution for getting their family on the water, we offer our selection of Recreational Canoes. Easy paddling, multiple uses and virtually no upkeep, make these the ultimate grab-and-go boats.
Adventure / Destiny Series
Our Adventure line offers as versatile and family-friendly an entry level boat as possible. And the Destiny, with its comfort and speed, brings new performance to rotationally molded canoes.
Legend has it, that Rabbit was a great hunter. In fact, he once caught The Man in the Moon. He returned him of course. It was the sporting thing to do. Naturally, any sporting canoe we would put forth would be designed with the sportsman in mind. Our Sporting Canoes offer a high level of stability and easy access to gear, making for enjoyable days on the lake or in the marsh.
Angler / Duck Hunter
The Duck Hunter offers classic styling paired with uncompromising functionality. And the Angler provides reassuring stability that allows you to focus on your fishing.
This hybrid angling boat was designed specifically for anglers. It's a canoe version of a sit-on-top with the added benefit of generous, easily-accessible gear storage.
“Going Green.” For some, it’s a fad. For others it’s a mission. For Mad River Canoe, it’s not as much a matter of fashion as it is principle. For our newest concept boat, we decided to take a journey of discovery: to figure out what we’re doing right and what we can do better. The journey was fruitful. The findings were many. And the cumulative result is the Malecite ECO.
Featuresour signature shallow V-shaped hull, a swedeform asymmetric profile for maximum paddling efficiency and speed, complemented by significant flare above the waterline for dryness and lift. Additional design enhancements include a filigree deck detail that reduces weight and ensures faster drainage, a tripping thwart for added structural support and stiffness, and a lighter slotted gunwale system. Only 50 hand-crafted canoes available worldwide.