The Explorer was designed as a reliable expedition kayak and has a large carrying capacity. In 2000 it was used on a one-month expedition to Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support. Ideal for the medium to large kayaker.
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Explorer, Explorer LV, Explorer HV
The Explorer line of boats are available in three layups: Standard, Elite and Carbon/Kevlar.
Read the 2008 Sea Kayaker Magazine's Reader's Choice review of the Explorer here (PDF).
Explorer
The EXPLORER is the larger expedition version of the Romany 16 with more hull speed and cargo room. It’s a super fit for middle sized paddlers, and has become one of the standards of paddling here in the Northeast. It carves and spins. Its secondary stability is remarkable. Its fuller ends hold more gear and keep the bow from pearling. Certainly there are faster boats, but not many when it is rough and challenging. It’s the bumpy and lumpy water where we feel challenged and the Explorer’s and Romany’s excel with their user friendly hulls, high secondary stability, thigh contact, and expedition features. In 2000 we used Explorer’s on a one-month expedition to Antarctica carrying all supplies with no support.
This is MIKCo’s primary guide boat; most of us paddle one on trips. We think it has become a standard for expedition boats around the world. Its durability is exceptional. We regularly land on rock beaches fully loaded. Its designed for it.
Dimensions: 17’6" x 21.5". Cockpit: 32” x 15.5” Weight: 56 lbs standard
Price: Standard $3,100. Elite $3,400. Carbon/Kevlar $3,700
Volumes
Front compartment: 58 litres
Middle compartment: 39 litres
Rear compartments: 60 litres
Deck: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus foredeck rescue patch of extra 1.5 oz mat.
Hull: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus 8 oz cloth. 2 inch keel strip. Double thickness reinforced bow and stern.
Inside seam: 2 inch diolen plus 3 inch glass cloth.
Outside seam: 1 inch glass cloth.
Explorer LV
The unique EXPLORER LV is designed to give the smaller paddler a full size boat. Too often builders make short boats for smaller paddlers, making it harder to keep up - waterline length is hull speed. The Explorer LV has a modified deck with smaller cockpit and less cargo volume, but is fitted to the infamous Explorer hull. We know of no boat that combines expedition features and rough water stability of the Explorer series with sizing for smaller paddlers. We recommend this boat with the NDK foam seat. If you’ve been having a hard time getting needed contact with your boat, try this one.
Dimensions: 17’6" x 21.5” Cockpit: 28.5” x 14.5”. Cockpit: Weight: 54 lbs standard
Price: Standard $3,100. Elite $3,400. Carbon/Kevlar $3,700
Length: 17 feet 8 Inches(5.40m )
Width: 21.5 inches ( 0.54m )
Volumes
Front compartment: 58 litres
Middle compartment: 39 litres
Rear compartments: 60 litres
Deck: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus foredeck rescue patch of extra 1.5 oz mat.
Hull: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus 8 oz cloth. 2 inch keel strip. Double thickness reinforced bow and stern.
Inside seam: 2 inch diolen plus 3 inch glass cloth.
Outside seam: 1 inch glass cloth.
Explorer HV
The EXPLORER HV is simply a larger version of the infamous Explorer. It has increased foot and thigh room (1.5” more) for the larger paddler, and a larger cockpit. The modified deck is glassed onto the same hull as the Explorer with its terrific balance of user friendly, expedition features and performance.
Dimensions: 17’ 8" x 21.5". Cockpit: 32” x 15.5” Weight: 58 lbs.
Price: Standard $3,100. Elite $3,400. Carbon/Kevlar $3,700
Length: 17 feet 8 Inches(5.40m )
Width: 21.5 inches ( 0.54m )
Volumes
Front compartment: 58 litres
Middle compartment: 39 litres
Rear compartments: 60 litres
Deck: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus foredeck rescue patch of extra 1.5 oz mat.
Hull: 2.5 oz C.S mat plus 8 oz cloth. 2 inch keel strip. Double thickness reinforced bow and stern.
Inside seam: 2 inch diolen plus 3 inch glass cloth.
Outside seam: 1 inch glass cloth.