I need to know if any of you guys know anything about Blackhawk canoes, specifically the Zephyr ICS kevlar model.

It's a 14'-2'' solo with adjustable seat. It weighs 37 lbs.

It was bought new in 1992 and used two seasons and stored in his garage. I know someone who has seen it and said there is not one single scratch in it. I know the guy takes good care of everything he has. He wants to sell it to me (for what could be an incredible deal) because he said he knows I would appreciate it.

I can't find anything on this make and model.

Sounds like a nice ride.

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=856

I'd Snatch it up in a New York minute! I've only paddled one briefly, but I have a friend who is somewhat of a Blackhawk "Connoisseur." I'll e-mail him this thread. He goes by the name "Blackhawk," by the way (LOL). I have 3 friends who have Blackhawks and none of them are looking to sell their "Classic" boats. Here's a picture of one of my friends boats. Can't remember if this one's a Zephyr or Ariel. TW

I paddled one on a twisty stream once and found it had somewhat low initial stability but high secondary. Good thing, too, because it responds very nicely to control strokes with the on-side gunwale a few inches down. It isn't a freestyler like the Wildfire, but I can imagine it being a very nice tripping boat with around 250 pounds in it.

I have to go at least check it out. I'll set it up for next week. If I like it, I will sell my Old Town Pack 12 footer.

This guy is really picky and would only sell it to me. It could be a great deal as he said he's firm on the price of.......



Ready?.........





Wait for it..........




.........





$300

THAT, is a DEAL! TW

If you don't want it, I am very neat, and anal. Persnickety even. I could send a resume outlining my persnicketyness.

if you buy it you better feel very very guilty.

Blackhawk Zephyr

I used to own two of them; still own one.
Let good friend talk me out of one, and as far as I know she is very happy with it.

Beautiful canoe; I call it a "gentleman's canoe".
For all practical purposes Blackhawk Canoes(Janesville, Wisconsin) went out of business in 1995.
You should be able to find the serial number on the stern of the boat.
The last 2 numbers sould be the year of it's production.


I generally leave speculation of how poor, or how great a canoe is to others.........and take their speculation with a grain of salt.........since I have absolutely no knowledge of the paddling skills of the speculators.

I will say this; if the canoe in question is in the condition stated, and for the price stated, I'd jump on it "in a heartbeat".
If it doesn't live up to "your" expectations; contact me, and I'll take it off your hands & give you a healthy profit.

Specs:
Length 14' 2"
Waterline length 14'
Hull width 27 1/4 "
Gunwale width 26 3/4 "
Depth at center 11.5 "
Bow height 17"
Stern height 11 "
Paddler weight range w/70 lbs. of gear 125 to 190 lbs.

If the canoe is kevlar, that is probably what was know as Blackhawk's Gold layup.
With the ICS system is was advertised at 42 lbs.

The ICS (Integrated Component System) was an option available in the "Adventure Series" of Blackhawk's solo canoes. The 3 options were flat cane seat, canted cane seat, and composite bucket set. The foundation of the system was internal side pods in the canoe, which allowed seats to adjust both fore & aft, and to be raised or lowered.

The information provided in this email came directly from Blackhawk literature. If you disagree with the information I provided; contact Blackhawk Canoes.

The blue Blackhawk canoe in the photograph sent in by Ozarkpaddler is "not" a Zephyr. It "is" an Ariel, and has the ICS system installed.
The paddler is a friend of mine from Wisconsin.
He purchased the Ariel from me.
I own it's sister ship" (green in color), which was purchased on the same day as the blue Ariel in the 1990s; at Rutabaga, in Madison, Wisconsin.

P.S. Hope the info. has helped. I was not BSing you when I said I will be ready to take "that old barge" :^) off your hands if you purchase it ...... if it's not your "cup of tea".
I am "always" seeking Blackhawk solo canoes. Always.

BOB
aka Blackhawk

It is the flat cane seat with height adjustment and forward/back adjustment.

I have heard that's it's one of two things. A tippy freestyle type canoe and others have said it's a nice little touring canoe.

I'm looking to trip out of it. Something a little less "waggly" and hold a line better in the water than my Old Town Pack and a canoe that's easier to paddle than the Pack.

I'm hoping this will do the job and I'll sell off the gently used pack.

quote kanoes: "if you buy it you better feel very very guilty."

Even at that price, it isn't theft if the other person agrees. :-)

Lorax, you have to get it. You have a moral obligation to the great gods of canoe design to preserve and protect - and USE - one of the nicer boats from the early post-aluminum era.

You will find it worlds apart from your OT Pack.

If you get it but don't want to keep it, e-mail me on the back channel.
Please.
:-)

I just called and set up my "test paddle" for next week once I get back from our Namekagon canoe trip starting Thursday night.

He said he will have to get it out of his basement rec room where he stores it. It's even been stored and maintained at a consant temperature. LOL
I've seen some die hards being their Harleys indoors through patio doors for winter storage, but canoes stored year round indoors?

Guilt.....I would not feel guilt! Paddle it, buy it, enjoy it!

Even if you don't like it, you could buy it and "Blackhawk" would maybe discuss a trade for a more suitable tripping canoe. Good luck! TW

There's not a whole lot of info out there on them, but what I'm reading (especially here), I'd think that it would be a nice canoe to use as it was intended.

To be used, and used a lot!

They were made in Janesville, Wi. There is some background info in some of these reviews. Blackhawk Canoes

Would you be able to tell me if I have a black hawk ariel or another model?
Its about 15'5" from bow to stern; 32" wide from outside edges of gunnels; 11" high. Weighs about 40 lbs. Was told it was an early kevlar layup but have no idea what model it might be. It is pretty good shape; only minor scratches/scuffs.

Also, how much is something like this worth? Thanks.

Zephyrs, Ariels and Starships all had a unique stern deck treatment that I dont see on your boat (at least from the pic provided). Their lengths were...in order....14-2, 15-1, 15-8. Another canoe that this may be is the Shadow SS Special which was listed at 15-8, but they were listed at about 27 wide. Another boat in the 15' range was the Combi at 15-9, 29 1/2 wide, but that usually had 3 seats and could be paddled tandem or solo.

There’s a beautiful red one on Craigslist right now for $800. Check the Minneapolis listings.

300 for a like new kevlar canoe, whats there to think about.

It looks like a Shadow 15.8. Attached are the specs and a pic of mine. They did not make many of these...probably less than 10. Blackhawk usually left a patch unpainted on the interior of Kevlar boats as shown in the pic so I doubt yours is Kevlar, but it could be since Blackhawk experimented a lot and 40 pounds is closer to the specs for a Kevlar boat.

I'll say it's worth between about $600 and $1200. Most people won't pay much for an older canoe but there are a few Blackhawk enthusiasts out there that might be happy to pay closer to a thousand.

Thanks for the info. That looks exactly like my canoe except for the color. I don't have a patch like that inside but the mesh inside looks the same. The guy I bought it had it made at Black Hawk as kevlar and it is close to 40 lbs. I have no reason to doubt what he said. I double checked my measurements. The width is 31.5-32" The seat may have pushed the sides out 0.5" when installed. The length looks closer to 15' 9". The bow is about 17" high and the stern 14". The numbers seem to be very close to the shadow 15.8 SS. Not sure why my bow and stern seem lower.

Do you guys agree that this might be the Shadow 15.8 SS?
Here are a few more pictures.
Thanks all for you help!

I have a 1994 Starship that weighs over 50 lbs in fiberglass. I bought it used in 2000 and I love everything about it except the weight. It really handles well with a load. It takes a big wave to get any water in the boat.

I had the gunnels replaced and it cost $1500. for all the intricate cuts. It's a very unusual deck design. It would be nice if Northstar or Swift Boats would buy the mold and put it out with today's materials.

I think it's a SS Special. It's not unusual for the numbers to vary a little. Seems to be a trend with Blackhawks. Lots of hand work and experimenting.

I'm looking to sell this canoe. Here is my ad?
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/6643938136.html

I'm looking to sell this canoe. Here is my ad?
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/6643938136.html