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billconner
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02/10/2021 12:51PM  
I only paddled BWCA and Q until I moved to Adirondacks almost 2 years ago. Bonier streams and such. Scratched my Tranquility pretty deep. So, just for new home with rivers and such, looking for tougher layup. I might run a little bit in class 2, but really barely feel comfortable in class 1, so some tougher than plain kevlar layups. Me and gear in the 275-300 pound range. I like high initial stability, and sit - never kneel. And kind of lean to pack style.

So looking at Esquif Echo and Adirondack - both t-formex; Northstar Northwind solo in ixp; and the Swift Prospector 14 in their innegra layup. I have not paddled the Echo and Swift. I do like the Esquifs are half the price of the other two. The Swift is only 34 pounds and the Echo 45 at the extremes. Northstar and Swift both available pack style; not the Esquiff's. I looked briefly at the Wenonah Wilderness in t-formex but too heavy. And I'm not sure the innegra is really near as bullet proof as the t-formex, and I'll still have the Tranq for flat water.

And I've been made aware anyone who orders a canoe now might not get it till fall. Weird what the pandemic has benefitted.

Thoughts?
 
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02/10/2021 01:24PM  
The tougher materials do get the reputation for durability. Still I have been suprised with the ability for e-glass/fiberglass compost construction. Quite flexible and easily repaired if gouged. My old Wenonah Spirit2 in Tough Weave has more than it's share of battle scars, but has never been compromised. Royalex T-Formex Innegra all take abuse well but do not disregard a primarily glass composite.

butthead
 
MReid
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02/10/2021 03:11PM  
I wouldn't rule out Wenonah Tuf Weave either. I've run rocky ww rivers with mine (1983 Wenonah C1W), with nary a crack, and it's still going 38 years later. The only crack I've put in it was when I dropped it from my shoulders on concrete, landing right on the bilge (the most rigid part of the boat). I thought I was going to crack it in half when I was trying to pull it up over a ledge on the Payette River in Idaho (had a bow deck, so the bow was full of water), but it escaped unscathed.
 
Wolfee
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02/10/2021 03:42PM  
You might want to look at Millbrook Boats located in your neck of the woods. Most of their models are whitewater specific, but I think he has a few solo hull designs as well that might work for flat and light whitewater. Give them a call and explain what you are looking for. I think he'll do custom layups if you want to go tougher vs. lighter. A google search will get you the phone number.
 
justpaddlin
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02/10/2021 05:50PM  
It's always hard to know what someone else will like. Personally I didn't care for the Swift Prospector 14 when I tried one. It's symmetric (and short) so not in the same league as the NW Solo for cruising and it only has one inch of rocker so it doesn't maneuver that well...nothing like most Prospectors. It seemed like a friendly, versatile beginner boat to me. If you want a Swift pack boat I'd suggest the Keewaydin 15, it's similar to a NW Solo...versatile, stable, seaworthy and carries a big load.

For a downriver boat you might consider the Northstar Phoenix or Hemlock SRT. For an all around sitting and kneeling boat you could also consider a Swift Shearwater, it's very versatile and carries a big load and maneuvers a little better than the NW Solo or Keewaydin 15 but gives up a touch of cruising speed. I think they still make them on request.

I've never paddled the Echo.

Just my thoughts.
 
billconner
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02/10/2021 06:52PM  
Thank you all for comments.

I agree the Northwind solo is probably not for me in Adirondacks. I wish Northstar made their Adirondack in IXP.

I tend to prefer shorter than longer. A couple of streams I paddled last year were just continous turns. Something in the 12 to 14 foot range seems right and some rocker.

Hard to test paddle in the pandemic.

Even Swift salesperson said t-formex is tougher and they don't make canoes in t-formex.



 
02/10/2021 07:05PM  
Since you are out east...perhaps a Savage River Illusion? Their heavy-duty layup is billed as Expedition Kevlar; 13.5' and 26lb.

Just spitballin'.
 
MReid
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02/10/2021 07:30PM  
T formex Wilderness for sale on the For Sale forum here
 
billconner
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02/11/2021 06:25AM  
MReid: "T formex Wilderness for sale on the For Sale forum here
"


53 pounds. Why not aluminium? :)
 
billconner
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02/11/2021 06:33AM  
sns: "Since you are out east...perhaps a Savage River Illusion? Their heavy-duty layup is billed as Expedition Kevlar; 13.5' and 26lb.


Just spitballin'."


Forgot about Savage River. Will look into it. Not clear on layups.

I did a volunteer work weekend on NFCT and one of the volunteers talked about destroying a kevlar canoe early on the trail.
 
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