Swift's 2016 Product Launch

[sweeper]

Researching Swift canoes for Paddlefest in a couple weeks I found this video interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqP_hZoX_k4&feature=youtu.be

 

[icedragonmx]

I can say from experience that the full carbon fiber package is worth every penny! I so want a detachable yoke for mine in CF!!!!! They keep making improvements with the final products and materials used, nice to see! Looks like a new attachment clamp for the detachable yoke too?

 

[Peach Canoe]

Outstanding! Congratulations Swift people.

 

[Canotrouge]

Good work indeed, but I prefer wood.

 

[Guest]

Researching Swift canoes for Paddlefest in a couple weeks I found this video interesting

I have to admit that is a drool-alicious carbon build, and a 32 lb tandem Prospector sets my heart aflutter.

I also have to admit that it is probably so far out of my price range that I need to find some sour grapes.

Lets see. . . .I’d hate to wrap it or pin it and deal with repairing or replacing those integrated carbon/kevlar/foam gunwales. Yeah, that’s the reason I don’t want a 32 lb carbon canoe.

Any idea what that full carbon Prospector 16 retails for?

 

[sweeper]

http://media.wix.com/ugd/f1b4eb_0bcd283958004ea1a39e740f66f1b3b7.pdf

 

[Guest]

$3900 with carbon tech package.

I do like Swift’s craftsmanship and attention to detail.

When’s the next big Powerball? Daddy needs a new full carbon canoe.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Thanks for sharing Sweeper !

I love the seat design, and mounting pods ! Just seeing one of these canoes would be a thrill !

Mike, good luck on the Powerball ! I would sure like to see how you would outfit one of those Swift canoes !

Jim

 

[memaquay]

I asked Swift if they would ever consider making the Raven in a light composite layup.....the answer was no, which is unfortunate, because for a large fellow, it is probably one of the best solo's out there.

 

[Guest]

Mike, good luck on the Powerball ! I would sure like to see how you would outfit one of those Swift canoes !

Jim, I’m not sure what of my usual outfitting stuff I could or would do with a full carbon tech package.

I could glue in some D-rings and some minicel foam, but beyond that. . . .

No machine screws on the thwarts or seats, so attaching webbing loop tie downs to the shank ends is out.

If I wanted a seat in a custom location I’d have it done at the factory, but my preferred trim placement would be hard to determine without putting some gear in the canoe and test paddling it for a spell.

Same for adding a utility thwart. If I knew the location I’d ask Swift to install a carbon version at the factory.

Drilling holes for painter bungee or flotation lacing? dang, drilling holes in a $3900 boat would require several cans of liquid courage.

I think I’ll stick with refurbishing dumpster-ready $200 finds from Craigslist.

 

[Canotrouge]

I like drilling holes in expensive canoes... But most of the time they are not my canoes lol.

 

[yellowcanoe]

If anyone is willing to spend big bucks for less weight why do you need to outfit it with d rings and float bags?
These Layups are Canadian Shield portaging specific.
I surmise some of you fiddlers don't do portage trips. Hence you don't need a light layup

It's a sin to buy a boat for the purpose of ogling

 

[Guest]

If anyone is willing to spend big bucks for less weight why do you need to outfit it with d rings and float bags?
These Layups are Canadian Shield portaging specific.
I surmise some of you fiddlers don't do portage trips. Hence you don't need a light layup

Regarding the D-rings and float bags, I use D-rings (and webbing loops) to help secure gear in my canoe when tripping. When I am day paddling (or sailing) on big open water I use them to secure float bags.

I missed the part where Swift’s carbon lay up, or anyone else’s, is specific to portaging on the Canadian Shield. As a marketing strategy that would seem unnecessarily limiting.

I no longer do trips with long or extensive portages, so I guess I am condemned to humping around a 65 lb canoe.

 

[yellowcanoe]

Swifts main market is Ontario trippers seeking a lightweight non river running boat. I am not arguing your style as it is quite different from most ADK and Shield paddlers. In fifty years of portage trips on Quetico. Algonquin and the BwCA and WCPP seldom do I see many paddlers my self included tie one in. It's kind of expected. After your third set of three ports in one day who wants to deal with tying in. For flatwater it's way easier not to tie in

 

[Canotrouge]

I agree with you Mike! And if this boat, the prospector is available in that layup, I sure hope we can use it where it belongs, on a river, loaded with gear. But that is of course just my 2cents...

 

[scoutergriz]

"Swifts main market is Ontario trippers seeking a lightweight non river running boat" Huh?? Swift makes all kinds of river runners. the Kippawa and prospectors are designed as go anywhere boats with their rockered hulls (2 1/2" for the Kippawa, 2" for the prospector) and the Dumoine is primarily a river boat with 2 3/4" of rocker.
I've run the Grand, the Credit, the Moon, the French, the Mattawa, and even Niagara with my Kippawa. I have no problem with class 3 in my Kippawa and my buddy runs even wilder stuff in his Dumoine!

 

[Guest]

Swifts main market is Ontario trippers seeking a lightweight non river running boat. I am not arguing your style as it is quite different from most ADK and Shield paddlers. In fifty years of portage trips on Quetico. Algonquin and the BwCA and WCPP seldom do I see many paddlers my self included tie one in. It's kind of expected. After your third set of three ports in one day who wants to deal with tying in. For flatwater it's way easier not to tie in

I don’t usually tie my gear in on flatwater trips, although on big open water with wind and wave I sometimes do. I used to strap my barrel down to a D-ring on most trips, but that was largely to keep it stationary. Nowadays I have a foam wedge glued in the bottom of the boat that traps the barrel tightly against a thwart, so I only strap it down if I am tying in the rest of my gear.

But most of my canoes are general purpose boats, paddled on lakes, bays and rivers, both tripping with gear and day paddling more empty, so having some D-rings and webbing loops serves my all around purposes, whether tying in gear or float bags.

Just for funsies I put two Northwater double-D ring vinyl pad anchors and 8 webbing loops on a scale. 2 ounces; I can live with that.

 

[Canotrouge]

Just for funsies I put two Northwater double-D ring vinyl pad anchors and 8 webbing loops on a scale. 2 ounces; I can live with that.

I think lots of time we get caught up with weight, and that prevent from having fun, just like we get caught up in schedules. It is really nice to have a light boat, I use to have a Crozier 18' solo that was just around 22lbs, All of my tripping boats are less than 65, some less than 55lbs. I'm happy with that!