MAD RIVER OUTRAGE WHITEWATER SOLO CANOE - $1,500

[Barkjockey]

The Mad River Outrage is a classic, highly-regarded solo whitewater canoe known for its exceptional durability and performance, especially among beginner to intermediate paddlers. It is no longer in production, so it is primarily available on the used market. Key Features & DesignThe Outrage was introduced in 1995 and designed by Jim Henry and Tom Foster. Its design features contribute to its highly-praised river handling capabilities: Fish-form design: The widest section is forward of the centerline, providing a buoyant bow that helps the canoe ride over large waves and is ideal for upstream paddling.Hull: It has soft chines and a shallow arch hull, offering a balance of stability and maneuverability.Rocker: The design incorporates a significant amount of rocker, which enables quick, responsive turning in whitewater.Construction: Most models were built with Royalex®, a material known for its impact resistance and "memory" that helps it return to its original form after impact, making it very durable for rugged river use. Performance and User ExperienceReviewers consistently praise the Mad River Outrage for being a confidence-inspiring boat for various skill levels. Stability: It offers excellent secondary stability, allowing paddlers to lean it far on edge before bracing. Initial stability is considered good, though perhaps slightly "jittery" for a complete novice.Maneuverability: The boat "carves effortlessly" and spins nicely, making it highly effective for catching eddies and navigating Class III and IV rapids.Speed & Dryness: It has good hull speed and a full bow that deflects waves well, leading to a relatively dry ride compared to other open canoes.Versatility: While designed as a play boat, users have found it suitable for everything from play runs to multi-day river trips, though it can be a challenge to track straight in flat water. SpecificationsThe specifications for the standard Outrage (12 ft) and the larger Outrage X (13 ft) are as follows:Specification Mad River Outrage Mad River Outrage XLength 12' 13'Gunwale Width 25.5" 25.5"Max Width ~23" 29"Depth at Center 15.5" 15"Weight (approx) 52 lbs 53 lbsMax Capacity 425 lbs 550 lbsBow Rocker High (not specified) 6"Stern Rocker High (not specified) 5"Ideal Paddler Under 200 lbs Over 190-200 lbsAvailabilityMad River Canoe no longer manufactures the Outrage or Outrage X. They are frequently found in used condition on online forums and social media groups dedicated to canoeing and whitewater paddling. Used prices typically range from $800 to $1,500 depending on condition, age, and included outfitting/accessories like airbags.This Mad River Outrage canoe has the IQ or IQ2 gunwale system, used specialized, adjustable airbag cages for flotation and safety, allowing paddlers to add or remove airbags for different conditions without drilling holes, fitting snugly into the boat's channels for whitewater performance and stability. While the Outrage series was popular, Mad River production has ceased recently (around 2022), so finding new, specific airbag kits might require searching used markets or third-party suppliers for compatible systems. Key Features of Outrage Airbag Systems:IQ/IQ2 Gunwales: These modular systems feature integrated channels (circular profiles) on the inner and outer gunwales.Adjustable Cages: Airbag "cages" or float bags fit into these channels, allowing for easy installation and removal.Versatility: They offered flexibility for various activities, from camping to whitewater, by securing flotation.No Drilling: The design eliminated the need to drill into the hull for securing bags.Accessory Pockets: Some systems included pockets for gear like throw bags or water bottles.