New Hemlock Peregrine owner

[coldfeet]

I went up last week to Dave’s shop and traded my Placid Rapidfire and cash for a sweet Hemlock Peregrine. I loved my Rapidfire and it served me very well for many years. Due to more knee issues I felt that a dedicated canoe would be best. Took the Peregrine out this past weekend up in the ADK’s on Lower Saranac. As you know the temps were up there in the low 80’s. My buddy Chris and I wore our full dry suits for my usual “uh oh!” But I stayed dry the whole time other than the usual burping of the suit. It was tough and hot with many hat dips into my head.
I packed a lot of gear as usual for its maiden voyage. I used a double blade on the open water for some speed and then went to the single bent shaft on the narrow sections to the lower locks. I was able to do the J stroke a bit staying straight. It felt weird compared to the single strait blade I use with the Chum. I’m learning and trying my best. The winds were strong when we went into middle Saranac a short distance to the new lean to on the right side.
My knee was replaced again this past January and was a bit sore. My right knee has issues also and didn’t like the angle so I had to keep positioning it as best as possible. It’s 7 lbs heavier than my Rapidfire but not noticeable. Not sure what you call the color. I like it.
Dave is a really nice guy, beautiful canoes are all over his shop. The reds, greens and white boats are all beautiful.
Side trip before leaving I met David Yost and saw his canoes. Very polite and informative gentleman.
Here are a few pics. The loons were out big time really loud. Frogs were peeping. Eagles flying around. Just beautiful.

 

[Boatman53]

Well done.
Jim

 

[Erica]

Very nice!

 

[deerfly]

beautiful canoe and outing, congrats.

I'm still enjoying my peregrine, will be 6 years this month since I got it from another member on the site.

 

[Alasgun]

Nice color too!

 

[Ripple]

Very nice. They are beautiful boats.

 

[Robin]

You come far, pilgrim.

When we first met you went backward down rapids in your new OT Camper. Now look at you, wet suit, bent shaft, fancy schmancy boat, ice out ADK paddlin', dropping legends' names like non-other.

Well done my friend.

 

[lowangle al]

Well, you got an early start to what I hope is your best season ever. Good luck with the new boat and knee.

 

[stevet]

Gotta love Dave’s boats. Great looking…paddle well…outstanding construction…what more could one ask? Love that sage color. Congrats and enjoy.

 

[Frenchy19]

That boat is a beauty! Hope you find may years of enjoyment in it.

 

[Sdrew22]

Great boat and color. Dave is the best and his canoes are fantastic. Enjoy!

 

[Patrick Corry]

You come far, pilgrim.

I love that line. It‘s from the movie Jeremiah Johnson if I’m not mistaken, when Johnson meets up with Will Geer’s character “Bear Claw”. Loved that movie!

 

[Boatman53]

One of my favorite movies also.
Jim

 

[coldfeet]

You come far, pilgrim.

When we first met you went backward down rapids in your new OT Camper. Now look at you, wet suit, bent shaft, fancy schmancy boat, ice out ADK paddlin', dropping legends' names like non-other.

Well done my friend.

Haha, thanks Robin, yea I really tricked you when Ray and I went backwards down that "sketchy" section. It was all planned, but you were smart asking for payment before I added all of those scratches. I even didn't shave for a week when I went to pick up the new boat. In my past life I was a Voyageur! Except my trips were in Central Park and Flushing Meadows Park by the World's Fair.
But honestly when both of those David's were talking to me about how they build canoes I admitted to them that I was just a city boy that got into this awesome hobby and was going for the ride as long as I could. I do have to say that I have a wonderful wife who never said no when I wanted to buy some gear. I talked to myself a lot and thought about the future when I was making the decision to buy the Peregrine.

Thanks everyone for sharing their reviews and opinions on Hemlock canoes, I am very happy and can't wait to get back out onto the water.
Best wishes to all.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Congrats on your new canoe, Coldfeet.

then went to the single bent shaft on the narrow sections to the lower locks. I was able to do the J stroke a bit staying straight. It felt weird compared to the single strait blade I use with the Chum. I’m learning and trying my best.

You can, of course, paddle your Peregrine with a bent or straight single blade. Bring both and keep increasing your single blade usage vs. your double blade usage. You will become a more proficient paddler the more you become comfortable and effective with the different types of paddles, and you will begin to engjoy more and more the rich palette of single blade strokes and correction combinations. I prefer bent singles for straight ahead travel—even though they do a weaker J, because I mostly use a Canadian stroke correction—and straight singles for moving water and wind wavy flatwater. I weaned myself completely off double blades 40+ years ago and have never missed them since.

My right knee has issues also and didn’t like the angle so I had to keep positioning it as best as possible.

Are you kneeling or sitting or both in the Peregrine?

Not sure what you call the color.

Dave Curtis calls it sage green. It was originally chosen by the deceased Harold Deal—the designer of the Hemock SRT and Shaman—for his last canoe, after which Dave made it a standard color.

 

[coldfeet]

Hi Glenn, I can't kneel, to much pressure on them. I do what to get a straight single blade that is the correct length and not use the ones that came with the canoes that I purchased over the years. I read a lot about measuring oneself but I believe the best way is to bring the boat someplace and go into the water and test the different lengths with a paddle maker. I was considering those guys up in the ADK who make the kevlar ones that are like the ZRE. but no rush just yet..off to Copake NY soon, maybe I'll meet up with you some time.

 

[Camp43]

Congrats on the new boat!

 

[coldfeet]

thanks, it's sitting now waiting to go out and play. That was the plan, I'm buying toys now knowing that once I retire from teaching June 2024 then the fun will begin.

 

[NikonF5user]

thanks, it's sitting now waiting to go out and play. That was the plan, I'm buying toys now knowing that once I retire from teaching June 2024 then the fun will begin.

You're making me jealous - six years minimum to go for me!

 

[coldfeet]

You're making me jealous - six years minimum to go for me!

It's been a great ride, of course everyday is a different experience when working with children k-5. Time goes way to fast,, be well.