Swift Drops a New Tandem Tripper - Wabakimi 18

[Tryin']

Swift is bringing yet another fine-looking tandem hull to market. Some interesting design features on this one.

Can't wait to see the specs on the P15 solo lurking in the background, either.

 

[ABT]

Can't wait to see the specs on the P15 solo lurking in the background, either.

On the P15, Bill Swift told me about 2 months ago that it was one inch deeper than the P14 (so about 13.5”), had 2” of rocker vs the P14’s 1”, and was the same max width of 32”. He also then backtracked on the 2” of rocker and said he wasn’t 100% sure but that it was definitely more than the P14, and said he looks at so many specs it’s easy to get confused. So take those specs as possibly not perfectly accurate I guess, but it sounds interesting in any case. I’m guessing there will be a video on it in the next few weeks.

 

[ABT]

On the P15, Bill Swift told me about 2 months ago that it was one inch deeper than the P14 (so about 13.5”), had 2” of rocker vs the P14’s 1”, and was the same max width of 32”. He also then backtracked on the 2” of rocker and said he wasn’t 100% sure but that it was definitely more than the P14, and said he looks at so many specs it’s easy to get confused. So take those specs as possibly not perfectly accurate I guess, but it sounds interesting in any case. I’m guessing there will be a video on it in the next few weeks.

Turns out it was only a half inch deeper, and the video was sooner than I thought:

 

[Steve in Idaho]

That looks to me like a pocket poling boat.

 

[ppine]

I really like big tripping canoes. That one looks plenty fast. It is not deep enough. With 2 passengers and no load there is not enough freeboard. I like em to be at least 14.5 inches deep, 15 is better.

 

[dutchlennart]

I really like big tripping canoes. That one looks plenty fast. It is not deep enough. With 2 passengers and no load there is not enough freeboard. I like em to be at least 14.5 inches deep, 15 is better.

Last year swift introducés the lavaille .. that is 15 deep and their big tripper ish.
Not sure if they still build the tenemagami. That is a freighter.

This new boat seem more for the week woriors. I think 90% of the canoe buyers.

 

[memaquay]

I think Swift is becoming like Garmin, with its smart watches. If you try to buy a garmin smart watch, you have to look at about 30 different models, all supposedly designed for one thing or another.

Swift seems to following in a similar fashion, pretty soon there will be so many models, all with different construction methods, people won't know what to buy. That 18 footer looks like a turkey to me, if one is going to build an 18 footer, make it big.

Perhaps I'm still jaded because swift dropped the J. Winters' line of canoes, which I think are superior to their current line up. The Temagami was one of John's designs as well.

 

[eckilson]

That 18 footer looks like a turkey to me, if one is going to build an 18 footer, make it big.

I think the Wabakimi 18 looks great - beautiful lake cruiser. It is definitely going to dive into waves, but looks less likely to get blown around in the wind. 18' boats are a blast to paddle and really move. Friend of mine had a MR TW Special, and I got out with him in that boat whenever I could. We could leave the rest of the pack in the dust. With 2' of rocker this boat should be OK on rivers, except tight turns on really small streams.

I'd take it in a minute, but for now I am going to need to make due with my 17' Spirit II.

 

[tketcham]

Looks like a fast touring tandem for light gear haulers. I'm not a fan of recurved stems on modern canoes but I could enjoy paddling this canoe.

But I might be happier with this one...

Wenonah Jensen 2

Two inches of rocker, 37.5" max width is at the gunnels with a 32.5" waterline so seaworthiness should be good. Stern paddling station may not be as ergonomic as the Wabakimi, though. The Jensen 2 isn't deep at 13" so it may be better as a light gear tripper if you're going out on big water, or, you could just put a splash deck on it and it's good to go. Our Wenonah Odyssey has a 13.5" center depth and it's a bona fide gear hauler so center depth isn't a hard and fast rule.

 

[tketcham]

Swift seems to following in a similar fashion, pretty soon there will be so many models, all with different construction methods, people won't know what to buy.

It's not just Swift, take a look at what Wenonah's selection looks like these days. And all the models they've put into retirement. Gotta sell what the people wanna buy. Or is it: People gotta buy what's sold to them? I think it's great that canoe builders are offering interesting adaptations of proven design elements so long as overall, there's a good selection of canoes from a number of builders to choose from. I'm not sure limiting the number of canoe models in order to make it easier for new canoe buyers is needed but it does get complicated, even for experienced paddlers.

 

[gumpus]

I think Swift is becoming like Garmin, with its smart watches. If you try to buy a garmin smart watch, you have to look at about 30 different models, all supposedly designed for one thing or another.

Swift seems to following in a similar fashion, pretty soon there will be so many models, all with different construction methods, people won't know what to buy. That 18 footer looks like a turkey to me, if one is going to build an 18 footer, make it big.

Perhaps I'm still jaded because swift dropped the J. Winters' line of canoes, which I think are superior to their current line up. The Temagami was one of John's designs as well.

Swift has lost me regarding their lay-ups. I would not be comfy ordering a boat with their new no gelcoat lay-up just because it has no reputation based on real use by lots of people, plus it makes me nervous that Bill seems so focused on aesthetics (I don't care if you can hide the scratches with 303 and I am not going to 303 the boat after every paddle. WTF).

I think Yost has some great designs but I'm a John Winters fan too; Winters boats seem to have more personality. I remember test paddling a Swift Quetico 18'4" on the Detroit River and it felt safe and playful even in 2-3 foot waves. If I needed a big boat I would have chosen it over the superb Bell Northwoods 18'6".

I think you can still order a Shearwater. I wonder if you can order a Quetico 18'4".

Swift Quetico
Manufacturer's Description:
The Boundary Waters and Quetico Provincial Park are the home of high speed flatwater touring and it isn't unusual to see ex-marathon boats loaded to the gunwales racing across the lakes. For strong experienced paddlers, these boats provide lots of fun but they lack the versatility of a true tripping boat. Make no mistake, Quetico is a fast touring boat, but it offers some bonuses. It has more stability, more volume, and more seaworthiness than defrocked racing boats. For serious flatwater paddling, Quetico is a welcome addition to the canoeing scene.

Specifications:
Length: 18`-4"
Width: 35"
Centre Depth: 14"
Bow / Stern Height: 22" / 19"
Weight: 66 lb. (Swiftech)
Weight: 57 lb. (Expedition Kevlar)
Weight: 53 lb. (Ultralight Kevlar)
Capacity: 460-660 lb.

Manufacturer:
Swift Canoe and Kayak
(705) 687-3710
P1P 1R1
RR # 1, Hwy 11 North
Province/State:
ON
Swift Canoe and Kayak
(705) 687-5587
Country:
ON
Sales email:
swift@swiftcanoe.com
Homepage:
www.swiftcanoe.com
City:
Gravenhurst

 

[tketcham]

Swift has lost me regarding their lay-ups. I would not be comfy ordering a boat with their new no gelcoat lay-up just because it has no reputation based on real use by lots of people

Our Swift Prospector 13, with the expoy finish, hasn't been bumped down through a boney stretch of stream yet but in the times we've had it out and hit (or dragged over) a few things, it's been surprisingly tough. Gelcoat, in my opinion, is good for hiding scratches and dings but a tough skin coat can be just as durable. The idea of trying to keep my canoe as shiny as my car is amusing; I don't use 303 on it either.

 

[Odyssey]

I'm purposely avoiding a rant today because it's a pleasant snowy Sunday and I'm tinkering with the idea of a 3rd coffee. But here goes...
That wavy gunnel line/asymmetrical hull is freaky but so interestingly inspired. I love where and how these designers are taking things way outside any known envelopes. I'm intrigued by that "Prospector", both 14' and 15'. But I still say they are far enough from an original that Swift should just dream up an original moniker. Those ends and cheeks are too far removed from any Chestnuts that they should just let that name go. IMO.
Not a rant. Just a minor pedantic complaint.

pa Okay, I just wandered into another thread from yesterday already thoroughly covering my non-rant. Ha. Carry on.

 

[gumpus]

Our Swift Prospector 13, with the expoy finish, hasn't been bumped down through a boney stretch of stream yet but in the times we've had it out and hit (or dragged over) a few things, it's been surprisingly tough. Gelcoat, in my opinion, is good for hiding scratches and dings but a tough skin coat can be just as durable. The idea of trying to keep my canoe as shiny as my car is amusing; I don't use 303 on it either.

I agree that a skincoat boat can be just as durable as gelcoat although I think each handles certain types of booboos better. I had a 29 pound Souris River that I'd take anywhere. At same time when I spoke to Swift several times looking for a Wildfire lay-up that could handle ramming partially submerged trees like my Merlin II all they can tell me about is how their lay-ups compare to each other. I didn't order a Wildfire because my take is that they simply don't offer a lay-up as tough as a black/gold Bell.