I have a boat that Mad River guesses is a Courier. They could not give me a definite ID from the stamped number. ? It does fit the measurements. No seats, set up w/ single and double knee pads. The hull appears to be in very good shape, but it was stored outdoors and the gunwales are soft. I'll replace them w/ ash. does anyone have photos or info on an old courier? Thanks

Well, I'll be! Not many of them around. It's a solo tailored for "Big guys" and/or "Big loads." If you're a small person with no load it will "Bob" around like a cork!

Seems to me that the "V" is deeper in this boat than other mad Rivers with the shallow-V bottom. That means that while wide for a solo (about 31") the initial stability is less than some solo boats. But the secondary stability is solid, you can "Park" it on it's side or lean it to paddle it "Canadian" style.

The paddling station in this boat is wide, so you need fairly wide shoulders or to paddle it "Canadian" style to get a good vertical stroke. Ash gunnels make it "Feel" wider still. If I were replacing gunnels, I would consider going to a good canoe shop or a builder and whether they could outfit it with aluminum to decrease that width.

If you want it to be beautiful, though, stick with wood. Here are some pictures of mine to help you out. Love mine! This is one boat that I won't get rid of unless I destroy it; and as well made as Vermont made Kevlar Mad Rivers are made, it should last my lifetime! TW

Pretty boat ozarkpaddler... lovin' the look of that river too.

Yes, it IS a pretty boat. Not quite as beautiful as a W&C boat, but that butterscotch color of aged kevlar gives off that warm feeling like wood! And, as I said, those Vermont-made Mad Rivers were made very well. Here's one more pic of that pretty boat. TW

Wonder what happened to the guy that wanted the pics? TW

PAR (post and run)

Ozark, I enjoyed the photos. Nice fast water boat you got there.

I haven't been in your neck of the woods for awhile, but used to paddle the Current, Jack's Fork, Black and Eleven Points once or twice a year. How about some tips on your favorite Ozark river floats? I need some new places to paddle. Thanks.

What kind of "Tips" you wanting, Andy? If you are coming this way, be happy to give you "Particulars" of my favorite places. My favorite for pure paddling is the Northfork, but for camping it's the Eleven Point. The Current is mellow and close for us, and I know the upper river like the back of my hand. It's kind of like an old friend that I'm comfortable with in all of his seasons and moods. The Jack's is nice, but so rain-dependent in the best stretches. From Emminence down, it's full of horse crap from the trail riders and stables along the river. Sad, because I use to pull a lot of smallies out of that stretch down to Two Rivers. The Black is mellow and clear, but lots of rif-raff in the Lesterville area. Had an incident last year where a couple older folks got beat up by some drunk locals and local law enforcement and the prosecutor failed to do anything. I just stay off the Black, now. The St. Francis has some whitewater in the upper river and has fewer springs, so is more rain-dependant also. Not as clear as the others, and much of it pool & drop. Drop me a line if you're in need of more specifics and I'll help if I can! Take care. TW

Thanks Ozark. I've not been on the Northfork. Put-in and take-out spots? Also, if in a single vehicle, any vehicle portaging assistance available? Yeah, the Jack's and the Black were usually spring paddles when the water was up. Sorry to hear about the problems on both of them. I was always able to catch a few smallmouth on the Black. The biggest fishing surprise came on the Eleven Point when my partner reeled in a good sized walleye.

I'll be in touch.

Actually, small populations of Walleye are available on many Ozark streams. The walleye tend to be in the warmer areas where smallies are and where the trout disappear. Plus, the Eleven Point also has sauger, a close cousin of walleye.

The North Fork has a bit more private property in spots, but it has more fast shoals and riffles than the others. Also, there are an abundance of old grist mills in the area to visit. Twin Bridges and Dawt Mill are both reasonable with shuttles. Dawt charges $5 to use their access, but will shuttle you for $15, not a bad deal at all. Or, shoot me an e-mail and the wife and I and another couple we paddle with are always happy to have an excuse to do the North Fork. Shuttling always easier with friends.

Here's a few North Fork, and area grist mill pics. TW

Thanks for those pics and info on the Northfork Ozark. I especially like the one of you in the Courier using the double blade. It reminded me of how fun it is to steer through small riffles and rapids. I know its the adrenaline, but when the boat speed seems to triple and you get that blast of cold air in the face, what a rush!

This is my third attempt to reply. A somewhat tech-savvy geezer, I have never posted anything before and neither of my earlier replies was posted...sorry, I don't know why. So, this will be brief, if it works, more will follow. Thanks Ozark for a response which suited me perfectly. Your boat is beautiful and inspiring. My boat is the "honey brown" unpainted kevlar. I have a friend who is a strip boat builder and I am a restoration carpenter, so I'll use the stock ash gunwales and make the thwarts and seat(s?) myself. I live near the Delaware and there are many rivers and creeks which are similar to those in your photos. I'll be in the water 15 minutes after the boat is ready. But that won't be for a while, as I'm driving from NYC to Oregon tomorrow. The route will leave at Niagra Falls and re-enter the States at Sault Ste Marie and follow Rt 2. No boat with us, but we would intend to slow down to camp and swim. Any suggestions? Dining along the road (we've never eaten walleye)? I'll post before photos (if I can post at all), when I return. I'll surely ask for more advice then. Thanks to you all for the response. I am no longer wandering in the wilderness, but I hope to get back there in this boat soon. not brief, sorry.

Glad the pics were of some use. Would love to see YOUR pics after you get it re-furbished. Have a great road-trip! TW

Hi, I recently purchased a beat up MR Kevlar canoe. I suspect it is a Courier. Can you give me feedback on this serial number? MAD2709M84F-K
I am pretty sure the 2709M84 indicate the date of production and that the K is for Kevlar. Does your serial number end with F-K?

Also, this boat has been through the ringer. It appears to have been crushed and patched where all three original thwarts were. Can you share the width of your shell at the 3 main thwarts? My thwarts were clearly too long when I bought the canoe as the shell beam was 35.5"! After paddling it I experimented and narrowed the shell to 30.5". It was brought to my attention that this change could left to a "hogback" or inverted rocker as it pushes the bow and stern outward.

Thanks for any help!

-rr

I can't find my specs written anywhere. I remember giving mine to a guy renovating one and here's the link:
Courier Refurbish

I've owned both kevlar and royalex. Would still own if not for a physician telling me to essentially "Make my peace and prepare for the end" a few years ago. Almost went to the next chapter, but, the Lord had plans for me! Here's a few pics to give you ideas: