Esquif Echo Solo Canoe Review

Esquif’s Echo Solo Canoe in T-Formex was a blast to paddle. If you are missing the days of Royalex in your life, this might be a good solo canoe choice. At 45 lbs, the Echo is still easy to lift with plenty of durability for rivers and lakes. We enjoyed the nice touch of wood trim which is standard in this model.
I personally will likely not own another thermoformed canoe because I find Northstar’s IXP lay-up superior in performance and long term durability. However, this comes with a price tag! So…T-Formex may be a great choice for many. And of course, T-Formex is repairable and can be outfitted. Something you can not do easily in a poly canoe.
Esquif are the real deal canoe lovers. Kudos to them for adding this great design to the market!

[@Evan_Le5]

Great video. I’ve really come to love my Echo!

[@brentmoreland2623]

Great canoe and review! Thanks

[@theoutdoordad7395]

really enjoyed this, I've got an Esquif Prospecteur 15, great canoe for rivers solo or tandem and T-Formex is very tough !

[@jimwortham8634]

Thanks for posting just bought a pack canoe having bit hard time getting in and out

[@ck3979]

Awesome! More esquif reviews please!

[@HappyPaddlin]

Distributed their canoes for a few years between Bell and Northstar. Some fun designs. Their square sterns and ww canoes were some of my favorites. Great folks. However, my back likes Kevlar/Carbon these days when possible ;)

[@paddleboy84]

Great review. I enjoyed my time in that Prospector and the Echo. It was enlightening coming home and paddling my Phoenix though. Not sure I’d be ready to get rid of my composite canoe for a plastic one.

[@bobbarker2515]

Would you recommend this for a beginner? Or is it more of an intermediate canoe? Im new to canoes but fish out of a kayak. I want something I can fish out of that paddles easy, would be used on small rivers but no whitewater

[@bobbarker2515]

Also should add im 6'2 250. No plans on carrying more than 10lbs of gear

[@HappyPaddlin]

Thanks, w/o size it’s always hard to make recommendations. Dan in that vid is about 220 lbs. It will certainly float you and gear and has pretty predictable stability, so I think you would just want to start in smaller calm waters and work your way up. T formex has its place in the market but I personally don’t need it with strong laminations like IXP now being used. Lighter and stronger. But of course a bit higher in price. Don’t buy a poly canoe!

[@bobbarker2515]

Appreciate the reply and video

[@aaronwright4039]

How would this boat do with a kayak paddle vs. A canoe paddle?

[@HappyPaddlin]

No problem at all! Many solo canoe paddlers will carry both and like changing the muscle groups up and having the double blade option for wind. I’d use an adjustable Bending Branches/Aquabound paddle from 240-255cm for ultimate versatility.

[@Thestripper1]

1:00 Alas this is no longer the case. I've seen the dreadful black vinyl gunwales on the Echo. It destroys the nice look of the boat. I guess there is still an option for wood if you are lucky.

[@HappyPaddlin]

I had just spoken to one of their top brass who had mentioned this the other day! Agree the wood is nice but wood does add weight, cost and introduces cold crack issues with T-formex if not addressed in cold climates or large temperature swings. But, you are definitely preaching the choir regarding the love of wood trim for personal boats! Thanks for the input!

[@Thestripper1]

@@HappyPaddlin It's worth all the trouble. The ckunky black plastic gunwales destroys thewhole impression of the canoe.