The Canoe That Grew With Us
Posted by Charles Ruechel on 2025 Sep 12th
When I first laid eyes on the 20-foot Clipper Mackenzie that would carry our family through the Broken Group Islands, I wasn’t sure if it would even fit on top of our car. But with two growing kids, our trusty 17’ Prospector was starting to feel cramped. The kids weren’t quite big enough to rely on for long crossings or headwinds, so we found ourselves standing outside Western Canoe and Kayak, about to hoist the biggest canoe that had ever graced our roof racks—unaware that it would completely change the way we paddle as a family.
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The first surprise was how easy it was to lift. At just 76 lbs, “Big Mack” was actually lighter than our old 17-footer. The second was its speed—we easily kept pace with the two other canoes in our group. And on the exposed crossings, where swells rolled in from the Pacific, I expected stability from its 40” beam, but I hadn’t counted on how nimble it would feel. Fully loaded with two adults, a 12-year-old, a 9-year-old, a week’s worth of food, camping gear, and 85 liters of drinking/cooking water, the Mackenzie still turned smoothly, quartering waves with ease. And somehow, there was still room to spare.
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Most people choose kayaks for the Broken Group, and for good reason—ocean swell and headwinds can be unforgiving. Taking kids in a canoe there isn’t common. But for us, the Mackenzie made it possible, comfortable, and even fun.
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In short, this canoe is a game-changer for families like ours: big enough to carry everything (and everyone), yet light and fast enough to keep paddling simple. One canoe, one family, one incredible adventure.
