New Esquif Solo for 2026, Echo 2.0

[ABT]

Haven’t seen much about this yet, and nothing on the Esquif website I can find, but I have it from a couple of sources now that Esquif is releasing an updated version of the Echo for 2026.



From a dealer website:

COMING SOON - Olive

For 2026, Esquif has added a new model of the Echo. Meet the Echo 2.0. Built on the same beloved hull shape as the Echo, the Echo 2.0 has additional freeboard to allow for an increased payload and a dryer ride.

Additionally, the Echo 2.0 is made of standard T-formex. Now you can take longer trips and paddle more whitewater. Echo 2.0 is responsive, durable and dry.

ECHO 2.0 — Weebata

For questions or to order, call (989) 708-0346 or email sales@weebata.com COMING SOON - Olive For 2026, Esquif has added a new model of the Echo. Meet the Echo 2.0. Built on the same beloved hull shape as the Echo, the Echo 2.0 has additional freeboard to allow for an increased payload and a d

www.weebata.com

Seems like it would be very much like a Yellowstone solo, but with the symmetrical rocker of the original composite Wildfire the Yellowstone solo was based on. Difficult to compare the Yost rocker with how Esquif measures it, but maybe someone who has paddled both an Echo (1.0) and a Wildfire or Yellowstone solo will chime in. Word is the new Echo will be 2 inches deeper than the old one.

 

[ABT]

For reference, here are the original Echo specs:

 

[NikonF5user]

This is about about which I have been curious for quite some time. Interesting to see an update - I wonder if they are going to remove the tumblehome to increase freeboard a bit (and either way I also wonder whether both the one and two will be simultaneously available)...

 

[dutchlennart]

That should sell well.
That could be a very good river / general tripping boat.

Hopefully they give it an other name and keep both in teh line up. For many that do only flatwater and are below 85 kilo's the extra height will only and problems not solve them , weight and more boat to catch wind are the main ones i think of

 

[ABT]

For many that do only flatwater and are below 85 kilo's the extra height will only and problems not solve them , weight and more boat to catch wind are the main ones i think of

I suppose that’s true, but with its symmetrical rocker and T-formex construction it seems much more like a river boat to me than a flat water boat. The biggest complaint I have seen repeated about the Echo is the shallow depth. I’ve seen multiple posts from folks excluding it from consideration as a river solo due to the depth (also the width occasionally). For flat water, there are many other options that would likely perform better and with lighter weight layups.

I think you are right, the updated version will sell well. And it will be interesting to see if they keep both options. It doesn’t seem like they have done that much in the past but if there are two separate molds and enough demand for both it could be possible.

 

[dutchlennart]

For flat water, there are many other options that would likely perform better and with lighter weight layups.

There are but not that many in this pricerange.
This is about a third or less from a swift or halve of a wenonah to name a couple.

And when i look what is currently on the European market. There is not not much competition.

 

[NikonF5user]

with its symmetrical rocker and T-formex construction it seems much more like a river boat to me than a flat water boat. The biggest complaint I have seen repeated about the Echo is the shallow depth. I’ve seen multiple posts from folks excluding it from consideration as a river solo due to the depth

I have been thinking for some time that Esquif has been missing the boat (pun intended) a bit by not having a 14' Prospecteur solo - this boat will end up being essentially that with its added depth. With exactly zero evidence to support this claim, as I floated above I could see the main difference being the lack of tumblehome, meaning roughly the same amount of material will add perhaps 2" of center depth while slightly increasing the gunwale width, making the Echo 2 look like the P14 from Nova Craft, but at about half the cost...