Description
PakCanoe 170 is the wilderness work horse. It can carry two paddlers with gear for a month or more. With a length of 17 ft. (5.20 m) and a payload of up to 910 lbs. (415 kg), it is ideally suited for use on long and demanding expeditions. As a family canoe, it can hold parents with several kids and gear. With its large “foot print” the 170 offers the best alternative for shallow water. Luggage can be distributed well because of the size of the 170, and the 38” (96 cm) beam offers very high stability. The boat comes standard with two bench seats. If required, additional seats can be installed. A spray cover is available. The 170 is available in red or green, each with a black bottom.
- Beam: 38″ / 96 cm
- Depth: 14″ / 36 cm
- Weight: 56 lbs / 25.5 kg
- Length: 17’ / 520 cm
- Capacity: 910 lbs / 415 kg
- Packed Bag Size: 35″ x 18″ x 14″
The first PakCanoes were made in 1995. Since then, they have been continuously refined into the rugged wilderness craft they are today. PakCanoes draw on over 30 years of experience with folding canoes in demanding wilderness settings. In designing the PakCanoe our goal was to make a canoe that would be superior in safety, performance, convenience, and aesthetics. We think you will agree that we have been successful. The basic design of PakCanoes remains virtually unchanged since we made the first ones in 1995, but many details have been improved to adapt PakCanoes to demanding wilderness expeditions. Not all PakCanoes go on expeditions, but all PakCanoe models are sometimes used that way, so we build all PakCanoes to expedition specifications. Our customers like to know that their canoes are built to take adventures – and occasional misadventures – in stride for years to come.
PakCanoe hulls are formed by a reinforced PVC skin held under tension by an interlocking framework of tubular aluminum. Seat positions adjust to trim the canoe. Because of their skin-on-frame construction, PakCanoes flex and work with the waves in a way that hardshell canoes can’t. The bow will rise and climb over waves instead of crashing into them and taking on water. This lets PakCanoes run much drier than traditional canoes in storms and whitewater. The canoe will absorb severe impact and usually slide over or by rocks with no damage where fiberglass, kevlar, or aluminum canoes crack or get hung up. In this respect, the PakCanoe behaves much like ABS boats weighing 20 – 30 lbs more.
Because of their skin-on-frame construction, PakCanoes flex and work with the waves in a way that hardshell canoes can’t. The bow will rise and climb over waves instead of crashing into them and taking on water. This lets PakCanoes run much drier than traditional canoes in storms and whitewater.
Disassembled the PakCanoe stores in a 35″x 18″x 14″ bag, small enough to fit in even the smallest car or closet.
Important Features for Expeditions
PakCanoes can often be found on the most remote rivers in northern Canada or Alaska, and it is gratifying that so many expedition paddlers trust their PakCanoes. On a remote river you simply can’t afford to have your equipment fail.
Reinforcements. Expedition craft must stand up to wear and tear, and we reinforce all abrasion areas where the skin rests against the frame. There are five heavy “keel Strips” under the bottom and thinner reinforcement strips to cover the gunwales. Additional protection against abrasion is provided by a closed cell foam pad covering the bottom between the skin and the aluminum frame to keep the skin from direct contact with the frame (this is incredibly effective).
Cross Ribs are connected to the gunwales by lockable clips to make a solid connection even when you grab the gunwale to lift the canoe.
PakCanoe Sides are protected by inflatable tubes on the inside pushing the fabric away from the aluminum frame and forming a built-in fender.
D-rings are factory installed at both ends, half way up the stem to provide a low attachment point for ropes.
Important for Family Use
Inflatable Tubes in the sides place flotation where it needs to be for improved stability and safety. The PakCanoe is easier to assemble because the inflatable tubes provide skin tension after the canoe has been assembled.
Aluminum Parts are anodized to provide superior corrosion resistance even when the PakCanoe is used in salt water – and you will not get black hands by handling anodized aluminum.
