Recent content by NikonF5user

Inquiring minds want to know - in what situations do you choose one over the other? I am a WildFIRE fanatic but have never paddled an OG Dragonfly. That being said, I certainly know what I like in canoes, and I know the reputation of the Dragonfly - and it's certainly an alluring boat. Having...

I have all three of those things in my kit! Since I posted this, I have been debating doing a reverse loop of sorts, heading south after climbing Maple mountain and going through all of the waterfalls. Although I have been watching several videos, and those portages look ROUGH. I think I will do...

Certainly in terms of weight. Not sure the Echo 2.0 has the capacity or the big water abilities of the Guide. Would be a fun pair to match off in a YouTube comparison video!

No, but I doubt that's Esquif's intent - rather I think it will compete with the Phoenix in IXP or perhaps Nova Craft P14 in TSE (plus of course many out-of-production smaller Royalex solos) - something that will get slammed into rocks without as much concern...

It would be nice if they made it in T-Formex Lite; this would allow the Echo to be competitive with the Bell YS Solo / Royalex WildFIRE in both weight and capabilities (and the Echo may even be a bit more playful with its symmetrical rocker).

I think it is difficult for kneeling to ever raise the CG over sitting on the same seat (if nothing else but because the lower legs are flat on the bottom of the boat), but I bet it does move the CG forward. I also suspect that moving the CG forward and placing a lone weight near the stern to...

Fortunately for us, this is no longer the case - the mold is in active use and this new Aero layup is intriguing! The only issue is the weight - I am hoping Redfeather develops a carbon gunwale system to bring the weight down into the upper 30 range... Redfeather Ursa Minor

@RPATCH has far more experience with this than me (I have none), but I wonder to what extent the covered deck cuts wind impact? No question the lower - slung hull of the kayak has the most in influence on limiting wind resistance, but I suspect the covered top is also a major factor, and I know...

ain't no boat that fills in for a WildFIRE!!!!

My Boy Scouts canoe instructor used to say "weight towards the wind" - wind from the front, weight in the front - wind from the rear, weight in the rear...

Do not forget that the Polaris can be had with carbon gunwales (although I do not believe they are integrated as they are with a Swift) which both stiffen the Starlite boat and drop the weight by a pound. You can also get all carbon components to shave 3 pounds, but it's quite a bit more...

I didn't realize that - but for some reason I have never paid as much attention to Wenonah as I have some of the other brands - so my bias has suppressed my knowledge it would seem!

I'm surprised to hear about the SRT damage, unless they were using ratchet straps (which is a huge no-no). That being said - I'm learning that it's better to get a lighter layup and repair any potential damage as opposed to default to the heavier layup. I mean, if you know you're going to do...

There are advantages of having a gel coat - it's more abrasion resistant plus also more UV resistant. New Swifts can also be had with epoxy resin - I believe these boats lack the gel coat plus also have a new "UV shield", but I do not know how well that UV shield compares to gel coat. I'm...

Just a suggestion - if you're going for a test paddle of a D15, I'd highly recommend also checking out the new Cirrus 14.6 - from what you're saying here it may tick all the points for you. It's the same length as the OG Dragonfly but it's fuller and can carry a larger load while having better...