Canoe Review: Esquif prelude

Esquif Prelude specifications

Tippy is relative, I remember the first time I stepped into the prelude 2 years ago. I got one leg in, and dropped out on the other side.

Now, 2 years later, I got into that same prelude. Getting in was not a problem anymore, controlling the boat was a bit different. But after fixing the seat so I really fit in, I must say I don't totally agree that the prelude is tippy.

What I noticed is that the prelude is actually fairly stable, if you paddle it right. It means really J-lean, no bell-buoy lean, good timing, ... . Then it's quite manageble, and the secondary stability is really good. But as soon as you start to body-lean it, even the slightest, you're off for a wet ride. So is it tippy? It depends. But basically that's what I like about that boat: it teaches me good habbits. Don't lean, tilt, and if I forget it, I swim. It's not the boat I'm paddling at the moment when pushing my limits when it comes to water level, but a great boat to add extra challenge to easier river.

You feel the relative unstability of this boat when paddling a section where not all the waves are clean an smooth. When the waves are altering and coming from all sides, you have to be flexible in the hips, and let the boat work. But actually that's the only place where I think so far of the prelude as "tippy". The other times it was a false lean I did.

Also remarkable for the prelude is how dry it runs for a short boat. It is definetly dryer then the viper11. Of course you get water in when running big wavetrains, but it has fairly good upward momentum.

The prelude accelerates also pretty good. It is relatively easy to accelerate this boat in 2-3 strokes to get it where you want it. The problem is, after 4 strokes or so, accelerating stops, and it's not a good momentum-keeper. That I noticed when trying ferries on a given spot. Making the ferry with a nitro was no problem at all, going over with the prelude was always a close call. I guess it's the lack of length that makes some moves a bit harder, other a bit easier. It simply has to be said: the prelude amazingly snaps into the eddies. I had no idea one could get into an eddy so fast with an OC!

I found the prelude really hard to roll though, not to say impossible since I haven't managed to roll it  yet. Not that I have a great roll, but I do roll my Viper11. And here comes the tippy part again, or rather the lean part. When rolling  you lean out, which is punished by the prelude quite fast and quite strikt. So rolling the prelude is a matter of training: providing enough force and a good timing.

Lighter paddlers do have less problems with this boat. I've seen some lightweight kayak paddler doing quite good in the prelude. But after all I think the prelude is a really great design, and it's PE, another huge advantage.

Stability

Well, tippy is relative, but this canoe is generally accepted as tippy. The primary stability is close to none. The secondary is good, as long as you maintain a proper J-lean. Take out your head for a notch, and chances are you the rest of your body follows your head, into the water. This canoe teaches you a lot about good paddling posture.

Dryness

I am actually impressed about how dry running this canoe is. It pops up easily on wavetrains and doesn't take in to many water. Great!

Turning

A short, strongly rockered canoe, it is fast turning. No secrets here. But that's the reason why you buy such a short canoe, to be agile.

Speed

Here we come to the, probably, weakest point of the prelude. This canoe simply isn't fast, even in comparison to other playboats. The good thing is that the prelude is one of the faster designs in the subsection of really short playboats. The Esquif L'Edge or Spanish Fly still are slower. I haven't actually had the chance to compare it to the Mohawk Rodeo though.

Acceleration

Impressed, that what I can say about it. Even though  the Prelude is not fast, it's easy to accelerate. 2-3 strokes are enough to bring it up to speed. The problem is there is not much room to speed it up more afterwards. But acceleration is simply good. And for some types of water the factor acceleration is more important then the speed.

Boof

Short, much rocker, need I say more. This canoe is simply a boofing machine.

Rolling

Hmm, one of the hard skills to master in this canoe.  Due to the rather fragile stability, it's not an easy canoe to roll. And I hear from other paddlers as well that they have a hard time rolling this canoe, or getting used to rolling this one. It's simply a very strict teacher for this class I guess.

Conclusion

This canoe is definetly not suited for the beginner, even the beginner who can handle a very steep learning curve. With exception of really lightweight paddlers. You have to get used to this canoe, the stability and the responsiveness. But at least for me, once I've got used to it, I really love it.