Inspired by a comment I received from a paddling.com reader/reviewer, I sent an e-mail to the Swift company President asking him to read the Dumoine review. 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. I e-mailed Swift to request a smaller spacer on the kneeling thwart because it was too low for my feet constituting an entrapment hazard. Need a solo canoe, a tandem canoe for a BWCA, want to surf the waves on Lake Superior, or spend some time in the Woodland Caribou? The weight of the boat is 61 lbs. If a used canoe is sold with a bit of damage, dont worry. Designed by New York's David Yost, the boat features a straight keel and very fine entry and exit lines. A lttle nice fact about the Kipawa is the carrying yoke, it is contoured well (very comfortable)and perfectly placed so that when you carry the canoe it is balanced. Swift Canoe & Kayak - Kayak Options. Click here to see fifteen good reasons to buy a Souris River Canoe. Nevertheless we had lots of freeboard and the boat was surprisingly quick. Find dealers and places to buy Kevlar canoes in our Paddling Buyers Guide. I know for sure I could never have done it with the old aluminum canoe we use to take on our trips. In fairness, the Dumoine is also a lot newer. The shop is open 9-5 Weds through Sunday, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays. I've never babied any of my boats, and the Kipawa held up quite well to the rigours of the 7-day trip into an area known for having jagged rocks. Seventeen feet is a good length for a canoe that will be taken on a mix of rivers and lakes, with sufficient storage space for up to a month of gear and food. Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Tech Package, Skid PlatesSerial02505-I121ConditionLt Use *RepairedRetail Price$8595Sale Price$6795LocationAlgonquinWiniskLength17'6"MaterialCarbon FusionColourBlack Carbon/ChampagneFeatures(46 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Yoke, Kids Centre Seat, Carbon Kneeling Thwart, SkidsSerial10724-617ConditionUsedRetail Price$6895Sale Price$4995LocationAlgonquinProspector 14 SoloLength14'MaterialExpedition KevlarColourRuby/ChampagneFeatures(41 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Multi Height Seat Pods, Skid Plates, Fishing Pkg, Cherry YokeSerial0578-0918ConditionUsedRetail Price$5595Sale Price$4295LocationAlgonquinPack BoatsSorry, we currently have no clearance Pack Boats availableKayaks Most solo canoeists will opt for a canoe of 15 feet or shorter. My day-to-day put in requires a short solo carry. Most people can pack for a one- or two-week trip in a 16-footer. Serial Love this boat and I am not a Swift rep. Or a Langford rep for that matter. plywood. I spent 3+ hours on the seat during a day paddle, and didn't notice until afterwards that I was getting a little sore. The best time to find a deal on a used or demo boat is typically in the off season, but you will find boats listed here all year long as they become available. Let me pose a question. Crossing Lady Evelyn's eastern section during some of the highest waves I've yet to encounter on a canoe trip - with the exception of a 10-day trip I undertook along New Brunswick's Northumberland Straits back in 1982 - were confidently undertaken. The purpose is to handle whitewater waves while tracking well on flatwater. The downside is that they weigh a ton, making any portage gruelling. Con: Can be expensive, and they require lots of maintenance. The paddling mechanics between the Kippawa and Mattawa are the same and are the same with as the Shearwater also. A Kevlar canoe is a lightweight canoe made for easy carrying and smooth paddling. This is a very quick section with fairly long sections of Class 1-2 water. Kevlar and other aramids have revolutionized paddling, making canoes much lighter and easier to carry while still retaining some durability. Bought it to use tandem on cl 1-3 rivers, which it has handled quite well, although a bit wet in the upper 2 and 3, which is to be expected. Product review, Before submitting your question, have you tried searching, Before submitting your question, have you tried searching our. I think your complaints about your spacers reflect the attitude of a very litigious American society. Now my son has been soloing our Dagger 15' reflection, and I have found the Swift to be a decent solo canoe for this 6'2", 210 lb. Quality built in. If the canoe fills with water, they will keep it afloat. If you dont see the canoe you are looking for, please check back from time to time; updates are made when canoes are added or sold. Three-seat model. The kneeling thwart is great for soloing this boat, and I have done as much solo paddling in it as I have tandem. We are the second owners, so Im not sure if its the Ultralight w Aramid 3,699 new or Ultralight wAramid gel bottom 3,949 new. Features Verdict - The Dumoine was more manouverable and required less bailing. It has the removable 3rd seat and the reinforced gunwales. The key is to store it properly to protect the hull from harmful UV rays. Made in Canada. She handled very responsively in the 3 mph current. 50 lbs. 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. Material It is a little broad to paddle solo in a sit 'n switch style. It's probably most at home on lakes, where it tracks smoothly and steadily. 60 lbs. This is why I went with the Osprey for a solo boat, a lot less strain on the shoulder, the paddling mechanics are different with this boat. by Swift Canoe & Kayak 16' 8" Length 37" Width (in) 37-48 Weight (lb) $3,595 Base MSRP Read Dumoine Reviews (8) or Submit Your Review Dumoine Options Carbon Fusion 37 lb Carbon Composite MSRP $3,895 Expedition Kevlar 48 lb Kevlar/aramid Composite MSRP $3,595 Kevlar Fusion 40 lb Kevlar/aramid Composite MSRP $3,595 Dumoine Description paddler. I used an angled power stroke to correct for the slight weathervaning in the high winds. Sliding bow seat is great for trimming the canoe, contour of the seats make for a comfortable kneeling or sitting paddle. A Swift Dumoine for tandem river tripping 2394 Highway 11 N. For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used canoe, read our article How To Buy A Used Canoe. 705-386-0440. I have owned tandems by Mad River, Bell, Novacraft and Bluewater. Pics on request. Skid plates, contour yoke, web seats, aluminum gunwales. This is inexcusable. 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. We also have answers to common questions that will give you more insight into whether this is the right canoe for you. Once a boat is purchased it must be picked up within 30 days after which time storage fees will apply. Anyway, Swift did give me satisfaction thanks to a little boost from paddling.com and its readers! ), I have spent time on my technique, always feathering the paddle and cutting far under the boat to minimize the need for hard J action (I have very long arms). With the right materials, many holes in the canoe can be fixed. These will most likely occur at the bow and stern if the canoe has been paddled or dragged onto the shore. Brand The boats prior to 03' I believe are better. If there is a local canoe manufacturer, they will have tweaked their boats to the local waters. I would rate that river as a challenging class II that day due to the high, cold water and the almost continuous nature of long stretches of rapids with large waves. My only negative comment would be that I did shorten the seat spacers to raise the seats and kneeling thwart when setting up the boat for myself and my big feet. You can embark on your canoe adventure anytime between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm for an evening of relaxation, yummy food, and conversation. If properly cared for, a Kevlar canoe can last a long time. I'm very pleased with the Dumoine. Retail Price Ultraviolet light from sun exposure can do serious damage to a canoes hull. There are lots of different canoe options, depending on the type of paddling you plan to do. Features It is a Dave Yost design with the usual Yost bubble-sided . The following pieces of advice are keys to getting a good deal on a high-quality canoe. Aluminum trim and plastic seat make it a no maintenance boat. I was interested in an alternative to my usual bicycle touring. This reduces my wetted area and makes for less drag and more efficient handling with less expenditure of energy. Kids Seat, Skid Plates, (46 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Tech, Det. If you think that a Kevlar canoe may be right for you, we have some advice that might help you finalize your decision. The only comment I have is there is a little flex in the bottom of the boat, which I have been told is normal. Con: More expensive and even more delicate. Which is a good feeling as I look forward to future wilderness trips with my new grandson. Pictures are not available, please come and see the canoes in person. I would recommend this canoe to anyone, especially to medium-framed women. It is too easy to blame the company if you kill yourself canoeing (or doing anything else). The canoe is fairly fast, turns well when trimmed properly and is light enough for me to get on and off my vehicle alone. I bought another Swift with confidence. If youre on the fence about buying a Kevlar canoe, consider the following pieces of general canoe buying advice. Carbon Kevlar at 42lbs. Carbon Kevlar at 42lbs. We were told that there was nothing that could be done - "the defect is in the mold". I felt very comfortable with them much more than I did with Swift corporate in Canada but more on that later. I picked up my Kipawa Fusion Kevlar canoe 3 years ago and primarily solo in it, although I always seem to have my Labrador for bow ballast just aft of the forward seat. It was interesting to compare the performance of the two boats. These weights will differ slightly depending on the brand, design and modifications made to the canoe. My next boat will be a pure solo day tripper. 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'. However, it did not take long on the water to move past that feeling of instability. Kevlar canoes are available at any paddlesports retailer, where you will also have a chance to speak to knowledgeable staff. (An off-boat break and stretch probably would have helped.). 450 lbs. Colour Happy paddling. Algonquin Outfitters - Outdoor Adventure Store, Skid plates, contour yoke, web seats, aluminum gunwales. My boating experience was with the usual Grummans and kin, with limited distance and portaging experience. Swift Canoes - The Swift Team started building canoes in 1984. Kids Seat, Skid Plates01445-D121Demo$5645$4895South RiverDetailsSwiftProspector 1717'Kevlar FusionEmerald(46 lbs) Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Tech, Det. I wanted to pay for them but he insisted that Swift absorb the cost. If you are looking for durability, or to save a bit of money, maybe these other materials are better options: Pro: Cheaper than Kevlar and much more durable. The skills I have learned have changed my perception of the Kipawa from a good canoe to a great canoe. What prompts me to write was a trip down the Eel in southern New Brunswick after work one evening a few weeks ago. It is the kevlar fusion layup with aluminum gunwales, cherry thwarts, cherry sliding seat (which is my only complaint)and color-matching skid plates. If you want a boat for everything the Mattawa is a better all around boat, I have used one of those on a few trips also. (Mind you, my bowman may take omberance with that statement, as he got quite wet from the water that shipped over the bow from time to time when the odd out-of-sequence or especially nasty wave hit us!). Next boat, a solo. Does it work? Wenonah Spirit II Kevlar This is a beautiful canoe. Approx. As far a using the boat solo, it is ok for short trips, I would never take it tripping though, it is just too big and cumbersome. Like the shape, different lengths meet different needs. Few boats do both. I have found the canoe to be very fast compared to all of the rentals I paddle near. I have a Swift Kipawa SuperLight Kevlar, with ash trim and cherry decks, weighing in around 46lbs. River, Lake, Solo, or Tripping it's not the best design at just one purpose but if you like to do it all than the Dumoine is your best choice!! Guide Fusion 48 lbs. Well, the Wildfire is a compromise, yes, but the best I've seen (haven't paddled a Swift Osprey, but I'd like to). I'm planning a 4-day solo trip into Algonquin Prov. A Swift Osprey for river paddling and day trips. Click the links below to view Kevlar canoes sorted by type and brand. As much as I wanted to give a positive review, I could not - to me customer service is very very important. Find our answers to common questions about Kevlar canoes below. is_redirect && ! For paddling solo whitewater, the Dumoine is a very pleasant boat to paddle. Please note: None of the hulls are compromised. Bought my glass Kipawa and have never regretted it. file size: 256 MB. Turning is aided greatly by bow paddler input. Heads up on the Osprey solo also. Whose fault is that? The Kipawa is equiped with cherrywood interior, sliding bow seat and yoke, with aluminum gunwales and the stated weight of 48lbs is right on for the expedition kevlar. Approx. Youll be able to buy the necessary materials from your local hardware store or by contacting the canoe company directly. The canoe is fairly fast, handles exceptionally when trimmed properly. To correct this I modified the factory arrangement.First I cut out snug-fitting deck patterns from light cardboard then scroll-sawed the decks from ext. Some of the waves were actually breakers curling over top with a crashing sound. Brand They are some of the more expensive canoes on the market due to the materials and time it takes to make the boats. The woven seats are very comfortable. I felt he was sincere and genuinely convinced that service is important to Swift. This is a structural design flaw in an otherwise beautiful canoe. I have had my expedition grade kevlar Kipawa canoe for about 1.5 years and use it mostly for solo paddling. Length = 17'-8". That low stern kept us in a straight line with minimal correction. The front webbed seat slides for optimum positioning depending on the load. We met a couple of lightly loaded 17 and a half footers along the way and had no trouble keeping up with them. This was even though the crew of the Dumoine weighed about 140 lbs more than the crew of the Tripper. Single-person touring kayak. With a 7-day trip in the Kipawa now behind me, I'm happy to report that the boat handled as well as I had expected she would. Regardless of who is with me, the Kipawa is a breeze to trim with the slider seat. We quartered into them and rode over them with no problem. Please call Swift Algonquin at 705-635-1167 if you have any questions. Beginner paddlers should know that the Kipawa has lower initial stabiility and great secondary stability, so it feels tippy to anyone that is used to a flat bottom canoe. Retail Price When loaded with gear in the bow (40 pounds or greater) the problem goes away. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful. 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. That rocker really allows her to turn well. Give particular attention to the rocker of the hull. 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