A paddle buddy's dad is selling a Mad River Independence in Fiberglass. He is offering it to me for $300. It's in very good condition with nothing more than the regular wear and tear on the bottom. Extra seat (at 15'9" is it capable of being a 2 person boat?), thwart bag & paddle come along with it. He thinks it's a 2001, which looks like the last year they made it.

I don't really need it, but I really do want it. Seems like a great price. An October paddle on the Current down in the Ozarks may be the first real trip with it.

Am I nuts for buying this thing?

No, not crazy. Excellent solo boat, designed as such. Would NOT set it up as tandem. Great price too.



Hmmm.....

Great boat, great price. Only your wife will think you're crazy......and we've all been there. Buy it. I have one and love it.

cowdoc: "Great boat, great price. Only your wife will think you're crazy......and we've all been there. Buy it. I have one and love it."

I'm already starting to figure out what I'm going to have to sacrifice in order to appease wifey and make this purchase a reality. LOL

Thanks Guys.

A fine touring canoe. I am headed out 7-16 for a 10 day loop in my kevlar Indy.

I think that some folks are uncomfortable with the v-bottom. It work well in the MR tandems like the Explorer, but in a narrow solo boat it takes some getting used to. That said, secondary stability is rock solid because of the V-bottom. They are set up for kneeling, but I have never had a problem sitting and set mine up so the seat can slide to adjust trim and make room for a clamp on yoke.

At three hundred bucks its a deal. If you didn't like it you would have no problem selling it for more.

I'm sure the V bottom will take some getting used to as I've never paddled one. That's the only bit of hesitancy I have about it. But if the secondary stability is that good, I'm sure I'll be fine after some time in it. thanks

The Indy flattens out more mid-ship than other MR models. You'll hardly notice it. It should weigh in at 44-ish pounds. The fg models being a touch heavier than the kevlars may help with stability.

Here is mine jumping off at Round Lake in 2016. The only solo I like better might be the Northwind Solo, but mainly for the depth at center. Though I feel the Indy should be deeper I have never had waves slop over. I've had it out in pretty rough weather.

Buy it!

If you haven't bought it by now, then you're nuts.

I can't resist sharing this photo of my Indy. Unfortunately, it is a little dated and my baby girl is starting to learn to drive!

Each person is different, but I found that the Indy, when empty, is like a kite on the water. Great paddling practice. Loaded for tripping, it is a sweet boat. When I take her out for the day, I load her with water or firewood or something to create the right weighting.

I really love this boat, and I believe you will, too. I paid a lot more than that for mine!!! : )

This boat is bought!

I'm just waiting on it to be brought down to my neck of the woods on a trip to visit his grandchildren. I should have it next weekend or the week after at the latest. It all depends on baseball schedules.

I'm looking forward to getting it out on a downriver fishing trip or two.

hooky: "I'm sure the V bottom will take some getting used to as I've never paddled one. That's the only bit of hesitancy I have about it. But if the secondary stability is that good, I'm sure I'll be fine after some time in it. thanks"

$300? That's a "Steal!" I paid $750 or 800, can't remember? And I feel like it's worth every penny.

The shallow-V likes to rest on one or the other "V." Doesn't take long to get used to. You mentioned using it on Ozark streams? The stern digs in a bit much for my taste on Ozark rivers, which is why I tried to sell mine. Of course, I'm probably larger than you?

I'm guessing I have you by a few pounds at 250+ right now. We're thinking about doing the Current, so I'm hoping there won't be a lot of dragging as a result. We were going to do the buff and a friend who lives down there said October flows would make it a hike, not a float.

I'm excited to get it and take it on its maiden voyage.

Congrats on your new boat! It's a great solo canoe. I hope you use it a lot and hope you post your impressions once you get some time in the boat.

hooky: "I'm guessing I have you by a few pounds at 250+ right now. We're thinking about doing the Current, so I'm hoping there won't be a lot of dragging as a result. We were going to do the buff and a friend who lives down there said October flows would make it a hike, not a float.
I'm excited to get it and take it on its maiden voyage."

Well, October is my favorite time to be on the Current. Colors start to peak 3rd-4th week, but the whole month is typically magical! If you need a shuttle or some company, give me a holler. Heck, I'll paddle MY Indy too to keep yours company (LOL)!

I appreciate the offer, ozark. It would be nice to meet someone from this board.

I finally picked it up Friday after work and paddled it this morning. Flat water reservoir and up into a feeder creek until the water got too skinny. I paddled it empty and with a canoe paddle instead of a kayak paddle. I really need to learn how to use a traditional paddle, but that's for another thread. My first impression was, "Wow. I'm going to dump this thing". After a few minutes, I started sorting things out and began get used to it. By the end of the paddle, I was a lot more comfortable with it .

Great! She is a different boat when she is loaded. The wind makes you work for your bacon when the boat is empty. Although, I credit this practice of running the Indy empty in the wind with making a better paddler. You can load it with water jugs or firewood or kids or dogs in front and back to practice with it loaded. : )

Looking at your pic, I see the seat is set high.....right under the rails. My seat is canted slightly with a 2 inch drop in front and about an inch on back. That may firm the boat up a bit for you.

I had a couple of dry bags in the truck that I had planned on filling and using for ballast, but decided against it. I thought it would be better to paddle her at her squirreliest. I'm definitely going to put a load in her next time. May even try to fish out of her too.

Lowering the seat is on the list of things to do. I had wondered about moving it, but from the pictures you all have posted, it looks like it's where it's supposed to be.

Portage yoke is also on the list. I could set the front of the seat on my shoulders and make it work, but my neck is sore from just the roughly 100 yards of carrying it down to the water and back to the truck.

I'm really pleased with the boat. I appreciate all the answers, pictures and encouragement.

Lots of good ideas for set up for solos at this post. Mine is #42. Don't carry it with the seat on your neck. You can do some real damage there.

solo set up

sedges: "Lots of good ideas for set up for solos at this post. Mine is #42. Don't carry it with the seat on your neck. You can do some real damage there.


solo set up "

I'm still sore from that little short carry Sunday. Thanks for the thread. Lots of good ideas in there.

Ozark - check your email. Subj line is "Hooky from BWCA.com"