This is Swift's most popular canoe laminate, with the highest strength-to-weight ratio. It is efficient, has very high secondary stability and carries a good load. The boats initial stability when empty of gear has a twitchy feel, when the canoe is not being paddled this is quiet apparent. I was able to control it fairly well but I'm still learning the tricks. Needs some fibreglass repairs on deck. All are a good value. I have nothing but good things to say about Swift. Keeping the boat clean, with water and a gentle soap will stop dirt from staining the canoe. The rapids on this riverway are not very threatening. This probably helps should we go over a rock or dead head by accident by flexing rather than cracking. This boat is faster in rough water than calm for what ever reason. Carbon fiber canoes are a price tier up from Kevlar canoes and weigh less. Brand The 16 foot, royalex boat is versatile, easy to paddle soloruns rapids and drops well, quick on its feel, and has rocker enough to get through rapids through class three. Canoes generally fit one or two paddlers, although three-person canoes are common as well. With great primary and secondary stability as well as good tracking abilities it is a great all around canoe. Through subtle manipulation of the hull shape, John Winters has developed a canoe that is equally at home on _at water or mild white-water. Learning to fix a canoe is a fulfilling experience that will get you excited about paddling your new canoe. Kevlar canoes in contrast, wouldnt last long pinned against a rock in a river. It may seem strange, but it is reasonable to bring a few items to load the boat and use as ballast. There has been a design change on this boat, so all the new ones this year are a little different than the old ones, if I remember correctly the sides come in a little bit to make paddling easier. If you think that a Kevlar canoe may be right for you, we have some advice that might help you finalize your decision. Ive seen that newer innegra basalt hulls have survived wraps. I own three canoes but the Kipawa seems to be my go-to as it is easily light enough for me to load and unload alone. My canoe is the kevlar & fiberglass blend. Check through the filters "By Number of Paddlers" to see how big you can go. It was a good place to test the canoe's ability to peel out of an eddy with a pronounced eddy line. The boat seems to be just what I wanted; light, responsive and beter than average speed. Inspiring paddlesports participation through quality coverage of the people, places, adventures, boats and gear, trends and events that make paddling something you'll do for the rest of your life. Speaking of rapids, this is my last fiberglass boat. During the first three days of the trip we had to fight wind. I have owned a Swift since 1997 and use it almost exclusively even though I also own a Gypsy and an Impulse. Find our answers to common questions about Kevlar canoes below. Approx. I knew the strokes and could handle a boat in flat water competently. I have a Swift Kipawa SuperLight Kevlar, with ash trim and cherry decks, weighing in around 46lbs. Beginner paddlers will appreciate this boat after paddling a recreation boat for 2 or 3 years. My personal opinion is that the Swift is the best boat in the Seda lineup, all things . I have just had some dealings with the Canadian company to get some parts to repair mine after an exciting day on the Arkansas River near Salida. Although the canoe itself is great, dealing with the company, even spoke once to Bill Swift himself, was NOT a pleasant experience. We bought our Kipawa last Summer 2003 from Swift Canoe in Gravenhurst to replace a Langford Nahanni we had only had for a year, see review for Nahanni. Secondary stability is great. Kayaking the Mouth of the Columbia River's Tidal Influences, When Cities Meet The Water: Americas Top Urban Paddling Destinations, Paddling At Night - Tips and Safety Recommendations. Canoes The lessons have dramatically improved my ability to control the Kipawa in windy conditions. My next boat will be a pure solo day tripper. Two strong paddlers with bent shaft paddles can really move. This is a very quick section with fairly long sections of Class 1-2 water. When you buy the gear you pick it the way it is. Last spring our big trip was the Bonaventure in Quebec. We loaded the boat with tons of expedition gear we felt stupid for taking so much! A Kevlar canoe is a lightweight canoe made for easy carrying and smooth paddling. Too often when I want to paddle my partners don't. This is a fun, responsive, and beautiful canoe. See what our expert staff liked about a given boat to better understand where it excels. Few canoes can bring out the best in your paddling skills as well as the Kipawa. I have the basic Boy Scout/Canoeing Merit Badge background - i.e. (http://www.qualitycomposites.com/). Kevlar Fusion 40 lbs. Sale Price Kids Seat, Skid Plates01445-D121Demo$5645$4895South RiverDetailsSwiftProspector 1717'Kevlar FusionEmerald(46 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Tech, Det. Con: Can be expensive, and they require lots of maintenance. With 4 stores across Ontarios cottage country, we have everything you need to get out on the water! Like the shape, different lengths meet different needs. They forgo a thick epoxy finish to save additional weight, and so are not as durable. A Swift Dumoine for tandem river tripping Turning is aided greatly by bow paddler input. South River, ON From the Outaouais River around Montreal, to the Georgian Bay passing through Alogonquin, this canoe has seen good times and scary times. Don't threaten companies with lawsuits if they don't make it your way. 2394 Highway 11 N. 55 lbs. Sale Price Condition Most people can pack for a one- or two-week trip in a 16-footer. See and review all Kevlar canoes here. The canoe should be upside down and resting on the gunwales. I've only tried it with a healthy load once (the day I trialed it prior to laying down my hard-earned cash!) Check the hull for any signs of abrasions or cracking. They are going to be abundant for a reason, likely because they match the style of travel most common in that region. Not a light weight by any means and no where near what the stated weight is. gform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 10, 'https://algonquinoutfitters.com/wp-content/plugins/gravityforms/images/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_10').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_10');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_10').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! We have used it on river trips but it's a bit delicate to be crashing into rocks and logs, so I prefer lakes or smooth rivers with this one. If you would like to be on next years waitlist, please email us at paddle@killarneyoutfitters.com These canoes are extremely light, making them easy to carry across portages. Brand Many have commented on the initial stability of the Kipawa and I have to admit that a bit more care must be taken when settling in to the canoe with little or no ballast is present however once moving the initial stability changes and becomes more settled. Heads up on the Osprey solo also. Every boat we sell is seaworthy and ready to be used, regardless of its age or level of use. ), the Kipawa handled 2' waves and stayed dry and in control. I will say that it's faster than the recreational canoes I've used before, and it cruises nicely with a good bow paddler. Length This is not a beginners boat as the initial stability is low but it is a blast to paddle and develop good skills. Royalex canoes were renowned for their ability to withstand repeated impacts and still survive. Its not a good deal if you dont end up paddling it. With lots of rocker, less of the canoe engages with the water, allowing it to pivot and turn easily. Model The thwarts and gunwales are well made and securely fastened. That is the formula for killing a customer and getting a company killing lawsuit from the dead paddler's family. An 18' Wenonah Sundowner in kevlar for tandem flatwater tripping Approx. Tandem touring kayak w/rudder in as-is condition. I said OK even though I thought that was pretty steep for two little pieces of wood. The Kipawa behaved almost like a solo boat, and I never doubted I could just point it towards my camp and go. It handled to his liking, especially in the notoriously windy Brown's Tract Inlet, a stretch. The boat is a John Winters design asymmetrical Royalex with a high bow and low stern. Big winds. They dropped me like a hot potato with a phone message over a safety issue on factory installed equipment. I wanted to pay for them but he insisted that Swift absorb the cost. Ideally, store the canoe inside, or at least under some form of shade. Your Swift Kevlar Fusion will handle the rapids, but if you dont have the skills you can smash it up. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, The Great Canadian Kayak Challenge & Festival, Mad River Malecite Ultralite Canoe Review, Walton-Owned Firm Invests in Eddyline Kayaks. The Tripper is just a bit over 17 feet, the Dumoine is about a foot shorter. Quality built in. The key is to store it properly to protect the hull from harmful UV rays. Two weeks along the Bloodvein, through the Woodland Caribou we've portaged this boat through burns, the goat slope of Wrist/Welkin Portage, and quartered through big waves on lakes. For paddling solo whitewater, the Dumoine is a very pleasant boat to paddle. Join our newsletter for the latest updates and news! They quoted me a price of about $20 US. Yoke, Aluminum Trim, Bow Sliding Seat, Colour Match Skid Plates, (50 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Det. It settles down very nicely when loaded for tripping. The effect of this appears to be much improved behavior in the Dumoine entering and exiting eddies compared with a certain shakiness in the Tripper when agressively entering strong eddies. I am a fairly big guy and could benefit from the kneeling thwart being a lttle more forward (closer to the center) of the canoe than it is. It handles very nicely with two in the boat. Swift Muskoka 2394 Highway 11 N. Gravenhurst, ON. Some of the waves were actually breakers curling over top with a crashing sound. The downside of Kevlar is that it is not as durable as a plastic or fiberglass canoe, and they are quite expensive. They are, however, more durable than most people think. The junction is a jet with some very very fast water flowing into the St. Croix at a 90 degree angle. Bought my glass Kipawa and have never regretted it. Lightweight kevlar layup, no gelcoat, no rudder. If youre new to canoes, youve come at the right time. Another great place to look is at an outfitter. Please contact Colin Austin if you have specific questions about any of these kayaks: andrewg@algonquinoutfitters.com, See the live online list of Used and New Whitewater Kayaks here. I paddle both boats tandem and solo, although I have to admit that the Tripper is getting to be more of a challenge paddled solo on longer trips as I get older. In Algonquin Park, my primary destination these days, a boat not only needs to paddle strainght and quickly across lakes, but must also wind through creeks with a foot or less of water, numerous beaver dams, and switchbacks every 100'. The bigger solo boats are intended to glide and be a little more user friendly. Sixteen feet is the sweet spot, where symmetrical canoes can be paddled solo or tandem. . The kneeling thwart is great for soloing this boat, and I have done as much solo paddling in it as I have tandem. I would give the canoe a 9 or 10 if the twitchy feel when not moving was not so apparent, a little more stability there would help when I am fishing. Sale Price I noted that the spacers had a compound angle cut on the bottom and a bevel on the top. The secondary stability is excellent and I tend to tuck into an off-center position and heal the boat over somewhat, some refer to as Canadian style. By the way the Bell Magic and Merlin boats paddling mechanics are also the same as the other boats mentioned above. I felt he was sincere and genuinely convinced that service is important to Swift. Save up to 20% on Kayaks and SUP's online and in store. We know this from timing our runs and paddling with other trippers stroke for stroke. From timing our runs and paddling with other trippers stroke for stroke shade... 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