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Couchsachraga
member (9)member
  
05/28/2017 10:40AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
3 years ago we traveled down to the Oakland, MD area for the World Canoe and Kayak championships (to watch; my paddling isn't THAT good;) ), and stopped by Savage River Canoe to check out their tandems (we wanted a newer canoe for tripping with the kids than our old Sawyer Champ II). I made the "mistake" of trying out most of what they had... the Susquehanna and Blackhawk I knew we wanted to check out (we purchased a Blackhawk and have been very pleased), but also hopped in the prototype Blackwater (the demo had just been sold) and was impressed.

Fast forward 2 years and after talking to Ben Diller a bunch decided that rather than get a smaller tandem for when just myself and one of our kids paddle, I'd get a Blackwater and add a front seat (great for the 9 and under crowd, not really meant as a tandem). I picked it up yesterday and paddled it for a bit on the Hudson (upstate NY, near Lake George). WOW. Light, comfortable, stable, and fast. I typically paddle my Wenonah Advantage almost every morning a mile or two around an island before going to work... I'll need to time it, but the Blackwater seems to glide far better, seems faster, and more "sporty" (responded better to leans and such). Primary stability is a little less, secondary more (vs the Advantage). I look forward to more time in it, and a few multi day (up to a week) trips this summer. I'll try and remember to post back here with more thoughts. I know a few folks here have paddled the Blackwater, but I know there isn't a lot of information / reviews out there about them, so I'm hoping to add to that.
 
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05/28/2017 11:36AM  
I'll look forward to your further reviews.
 
Couchsachraga
member (9)member
  
05/28/2017 06:25PM  
Since a picture is worth a thousand words... here are a few (Wenonah Advantage and Savage River Blackwater)



 
05/28/2017 07:47PM  
I have paddled my Advantage since 86 and wish to add a blackwater. As well as being quicker on the water it will make single portaging much easier. Thanks for the write up. Let us know how she paddles with a load.
 
Couchsachraga
member (9)member
  
05/28/2017 07:52PM  
Nicely with a partial load (50lbs up front... aka my daughter;) ), I'm hoping to do a trip in the next few weeks (once the black flies die down a little) with myself (175), daughter, and gear in the boat (probably 275 lbs total, though I'm aiming for 260).

I'm eager to get it in some waves too at some point - I started out as a whitewater paddler, and with the exception of some good sized waves on Fourth Lake coming in to Inlet (NY) have found the Advantage to be quite seaworthy, but I've heard the Blackwater is better.


The weight difference (I have an extra layer of Kevlar... 26 lbs or so?) is very noticeable (my Advantage is around 42 lbs - Kevlar, but not UL).
 
05/30/2017 06:24AM  
Nice get. Blackwater's the solo boat I've had my eyes on for a bit now.
 
pblanc
distinguished member (133)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/07/2017 04:51PM  
I paddled a Blackwater back to back with a Wenonah ultra-light Advantage a few years ago. Just a brief paddle around Cooper's Lake in Western PA but I agree the Blackwater was faster and it parted the water at the bow nearly silently.

I did not test secondary stability but I would certainly believe that it is probably better than that of the Advantage.
 
06/07/2017 05:11PM  
I have been lucky enough to try out this hull (thanks Dan) and have to say its probably my number one choice for a solo. I have thought about selling my Magic and picking one up but I have a bit of time into my Magic so id hate to see it go. Likely going to just try and pick one of these up some day when the time is right, then my son or daughter can use the Magic. I found it to be a very fast and stable boat, would love to trip in one, non-punishing single portaging would be very doable with this boat.

 
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