Got a chance to try this boat out for a little bit last night,thanks Mr Cooke! I would have to say that it is one of the funkiest/coolest boats I’ve ever seen or paddled. When I first got in I had a little panic attack because I thought I had misjudged how deep I was and assumed I was grounded out in the bow, I wanted to make sure to wetload as to not scratch the bottom (someone else’s brand new boat), but to my surprise the boat was just that stable! I never would have thought a boat that looks like that (shows what I know about hull design) would be close to if not the most stable boat I’ve ever been in but it was, more stable than the big Wenonah fast trippers and more stable than my Magic, I was really impressed with this aspect.

The construction of this boat is amazing, infused hull, feels stronger, thinner and smoother than a wet bagged hull, the carbon/Kevlar foam gunnels are insanely stiff yet very low profile, super cool build technique. All this fancy construction manifests in a insanely light hull, 22lbs, a solid 17-18lbs lighter than my wood trimmed magic, a boat in this weight class would make single portaging (without killing yourself) a really viable option, think of the distance you could cover!

While on the topic of covering distance we should talk about the boats strongest skill set, speed, its FAST with a capital F. With my rather large self I can muster about 6.3 mph in my Magic with my bent shaft, was able to clock off 7.9mph in this boat and to be completely honest I was pretty tired, this boat flat out flys. The seat was finished nicely, adjusted effortlessly, all carbon fiber, even the tubes that wrap around the sliding rails are carbon fiber. About the on the only thing it doesn’t do as well as the Magic is turn, but that has always been one of the Magics strong points so there is no surprise there, but it does respond nicely and is plenty agile enough for tripping.

Honestly if you are looking for a very fast tripper this may be the boat for you, incredibly stable, incredibly stiff, incredibly light and of course incredibly fast.

Very very cool boat.... I want one....

Thanks for the review, Ragged. If I win the lottery...

I went to the savage river site but none of the links work - all I can see is home page. Anyone else have this problem?

quote billconner: "I went to the savage river site but none of the links work - all I can see is home page. Anyone else have this problem?"

I think its having some issues, I came home last night and had the same issues but it was working a few days ago when I was on it, I'm sure it will be up again soon.

Ragged, what is the length on that model?

I emailed and they knew they were having problems as a result of changing servers and expect to be back to normal in a day or two.

That 22 pound version in the carbon Kevlar is $3200. I've thought - may be wrong headed - the carbon or graphite Kevlar was a little more brittle than regular Kevlar but maybe not but it's still only 25 pounds in plain Kevlar, and "only" $2900.

quote TIMMY: "Ragged, what is the length on that model?


"

I think Dan said 17ft

quote billconner: "I emailed and they knew they were having problems as a result of changing servers and expect to be back to normal in a day or two.

That 22 pound version in the carbon Kevlar is $3200. I've thought - may be wrong headed - the carbon or graphite Kevlar was a little more brittle than regular Kevlar but maybe not but it's still only 25 pounds in plain Kevlar, and "only" $2900."

Carbon Kevin isn't a hybrid fabric, it's two separate fabrics, one outer layer of Carbon backed on the inside with a layer of Kevlar, similar to Bell black gold and Souris River Carbontec.

But yes, carbon is stiffer and more brittle but using both plays off each fabrics strengths.

Thanks. Now I want one.

Did you try it (or talk to Dan about it) in wind or waves?

quote Ragged: "

quote TIMMY: "Ragged, what is the length on that model?



"

I think Dan said 17ft

quote billconner: "I emailed and they knew they were having problems as a result of changing servers and expect to be back to normal in a day or two.


That 22 pound version in the carbon Kevlar is $3200. I've thought - may be wrong headed - the carbon or graphite Kevlar was a little more brittle than regular Kevlar but maybe not but it's still only 25 pounds in plain Kevlar, and "only" $2900."

Carbon Kevin isn't a hybrid fabric, it's two separate fabrics, one outer layer of Carbon backed on the inside with a layer of Kevlar, similar to Bell black gold and Souris River Carbontec.

But yes, carbon is stiffer and more brittle but using both plays off each fabrics strengths."

Yes I knew that - just was using short hand to describe the two generic lay ups/price classes. I watched them lay these up at the SR factory - a great reason to go to Atikokan.

quote Banksiana: "Thanks. Now I want one.


Did you try it (or talk to Dan about it) in wind or waves?"

It was dead calm so negative on that front, and did not ask Dan about it, if a guy wanted to find out all he would have to do is hit one of the local lakes that allow power boats, those wakes from the wakeboard boats are as big as anything I've canoed in!

quote billconner: "


Yes I knew that - just was using short hand to describe the two generic lay ups/price classes. I watched them lay these up at the SR factory - a great reason to go to Atikokan."

I would love to have seen that, lucky! I wasn't totally sure if you knew that, I know some have thought the black and yellow twill fabric used on the inside of older Bells was a hybrid fabric when it was just black dyed Kevlar, so I figured I'd play it safe and make sure everyone knew you were talking about the two separately.



There were some other brand new boats out last evening as well, a gorgeous Colden Starfire and a brand new Bell Composites Magic, Magic looked nice but I'm not sold on the red/yellow tweed, I liked the old Black and Yellow better.

A friend and I will be receiving 2 graphite/kevlar Blackwaters on August 1st. Bought sight unseen after a lot of rearch, hand wringing and paddling a couple other boats. Oh yeah, and saving. We are doing 6-7 days out of Lizz Lake on Sept. 5th. I'll try to write up a trip report afterwards. I'll put up a review of our take on the boats here after we get them wet.

Forgot one thing. What's with no foot brace in the model pictured? I can't picture paddling a tractor seat without foot braces.

one day , i will own a savage river solo canoe!

Savage river site is now functioning. If you want to test it out Silver Lake in Columbia Heights 7/31/2013 6:30 pm to ? Or try out a few other hulls?

Thanks Ragged, I've been looking at that boat from afar for 3 years. In my mind there was no way it could be "all that" and not have some serious hidden problems. Seems like I was wrong, and that makes me happy.

It is an impressive boat

here is the tale of the tape, comparing it to a Wenonah Voyager:
Max width:
V=28.75 B=28
Gunwale width:
V=21.5 B=21
4" waterline:
V=27.5 B=27
Length:
V=17'6" B=17'


and weight:
comparing similar layup, a savings of 9 pounds for the Blackwater

the biggest difference is the height:
Bow to stern:
V=19,14,16 B=16,12,12
which I suspect would make it affected less by the wind
I say this is the biggest difference, because weight makes itself known out of the water.

That is the one complaint I've always had about Wenonah solos, they are way too tall! which is weird because my Jensen 18 tandem is shorter than my two Wenonah solos. I suspect this is mostly because they don't want to freak out customers who are used to the safer feeling in a taller boat. I can't believe they actually think it is necessary. It isn' IMO.

quote ZaraSp00k: "
That is the one complaint I've always had about Wenonah solos, they are way too tall! which is weird because my Jensen 18 tandem is shorter than my two Wenonah solos. I suspect this is mostly because they don't want to freak out customers who are used to the safer feeling in a taller boat. I can't believe they actually think it is necessary. It isn' IMO.
"

I agree about the excess free-board. I talked to Wenonah about ordering a voyageur with the freeboard cut back to the advantage specs (which would be very close to the Blackwater). They were willing but have yet to quote a price.

Love the 18 Jensen, wish I had bought one when I had the chance.

That is the one complaint I've always had about Wenonah solos, they are way too tall!

My experience exactly when paddling the Prism. I am in a whiny mood today so will vent. You folks in the Twin Cities area have such access to boats and water. I have so wanted to join Dan C. and the paddling opportunities he provides but Des Moines is just too far away. And now when I finally decide to close the deal on one of Ted's new Magics I learn about the Blackwater and other boats I have never heard about.
Thanks for listening (reading) my whine. And I am happy about my decision.

I don't have the solo, but I purchased the Savage River Deep Creek last summer. Have used it on 5 trips so far and absolutely love this canoe! 16.6 feet and 30 pounds.

quote DanCooke: "Savage river site is now functioning. If you want to test it out Silver Lake in Columbia Heights 7/31/2013 6:30 pm to ? Or try out a few other hulls?"

I wouldn't suggest doing this. It'll cost you a $1000. Trust me, I know this from experience. Can't wait for Copia :)

quote bmaines: "

quote DanCooke: "Savage river site is now functioning. If you want to test it out Silver Lake in Columbia Heights 7/31/2013 6:30 pm to ? Or try out a few other hulls?"

I wouldn't suggest doing this. It'll cost you a $1000. Trust me, I know this from experience. Can't wait for Copia :)"

I'm assuming you actually meant to quote the part about somebody wanting to order a Voyager cut down in height. It wouldn't surprise me if they wanted a grand for that, but you could also do it yourself. Maybe the poster should start another thread asking about people who have done this. I know somebody who knows somebody that did it, apparently you remove the gunwales and cut 'er down, then reinstall the gunwales. Apparently not as difficult as one might suspect, or so I'm told. I briefly considered doing this to my Jensen C1W which apparently a number of people have done it to.

Cutting down the gunnels would only get the height of the canoes similar/ alike in that regard. The other differences yet remain. Testing the two canoes side by side was very telling of the differences. Individuals may place more value in one feature or another. That is why I say paddle first buy later.
PS. I do not sell canoes for any manufacturer.

quote ZaraSp00k: "

quote bmaines: "

quote DanCooke: "Savage river site is now functioning. If you want to test it out Silver Lake in Columbia Heights 7/31/2013 6:30 pm to ? Or try out a few other hulls?"

I wouldn't suggest doing this. It'll cost you a $1000. Trust me, I know this from experience. Can't wait for Copia :)"

I'm assuming you actually meant to quote the part about somebody wanting to order a Voyager cut down in height. It wouldn't surprise me if they wanted a grand for that, but you could also do it yourself. Maybe the poster should start another thread asking about people who have done this. I know somebody who knows somebody that did it, apparently you remove the gunwales and cut 'er down, then reinstall the gunwales. Apparently not as difficult as one might suspect, or so I'm told. I briefly considered doing this to my Jensen C1W which apparently a number of people have done it to."

You assumed incorrectly.

Actually, I was referring to the down payment I sent John Diller after paddling Dan's boat.

The initial stability is really that solid? I fish out of a Canak/Prism and it is downright perfect. How does the Blackwater compare to the Prism?

I looked long & hard at the Blackwater but thought "No Way" when it came to initial stability at rest. That speed & glide would be nice though, plus it is just a damn sexy lookin' boat.


Oh and if you are looking for a Wenonah solo with cut down freeboard...there's always the Canak. :D

Haven't been in a Prism in over 10 yrs, so can't compare(meaning I can't remember). But I can say the initial stability is greater than my Magic. I consider my Magic pretty darn stable, so I can't foresee any problems fishing out of the Blackwater.

it's been awhile since I paddled a Prism as well, but I thought the initial stability of the Blackwater was similar to my Voyager, but as I said before, the low sides IMO would seem to make it less susceptable to the wind and I don't think the higher gunwales serve any purpose unless you are trying to transport a moose or something.
But I don't consider my Voyager to be a good platform for fishing, but you can certainly do it. I guess it depends on your comfort and experience level.

keep in mind you can have them build a Blackwater with taller sides, I don't know about the cost though, and I really don't know why you'd want that

I thought the Blackwater was very similar to my Voyager, and the spec sheet indicate it would be. If anyone buys one and decides they don't want it, I'd be glad to take it off your hands and get rid of my Voyager.