Indian Girl design question

[Gamma1214]

Is anyone here familiar with both the BWCA and John Henry Rushton's Indian Girl 16 design? Slipstream Watercraft in the Adirondacks is making them for 2019 and I'm thinking it might be serviceable both solo or tandem. Sounds like, in a hybrid carbon fiber/kevlar, they expect it to weigh in around 28 pounds. I have a (60#) fiberglass Weenonah Jensen 18 but aside from the weight, I understand it might not be the best tripping boat (especially solo) on the bigger waters of the BW. Would the Indian Girl design be better on long (10 days+/-) trips?

Also, I realize that ultra light weight may mean a more fragile boat but is kevlar or carbon fiber actually tougher than fiberglass or does it just weigh less? (Yes, I'm worried about bouncing off of boulders and doing irreparable damage to a brand new boat) Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[Fitz]

If the modern composite version is true to the Rushton design I would suspect it might not be much of a tripper. In my opinion, the Indian Girls were more of a pleasure canoe.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Fiberglass could be stronger. It does not depend as much on the fabric as the layup schedule and how many layers of fabric are installed. The Indian Girl is narrow for a tandem and best paddled solo from just aft of middle. Like this..

https://www.wooden-canoes.com/canoes/16-rushton-indian-girl/

Per Slipstream this might not be the craft for you http://www.slipstreamwatercraft.com/Slipstream_Watercraft_2/Avoiding_Damage_&_Repairs.html

 

[Gamma1214]

Thanks guys. Being from a backpacking background and new to canoe tripping, the light weight was the main attraction. I realize it's not AS important here but, if I'm solo either way, I may be better off in a 13 foot(ish) solo boat as my gear/food weight is minimal by force of habit. I guess I'll spend the winter attempting to educate myself about ideal dimensions and materials before I buy anything. (I'll probably take some road trips and test paddle as many options as possible also.)

 

[yellowcanoe]

most tripping solos are in the 14-15 range
13 feet tends to have a L/W ratio too small to allow decent speed though they accelerate faster