Recent content by M Clemens

I have had a couple of the Gamefisher air-cooled 2 stroke outboards over the years, very lightweight (20 pounds) and trouble free. They show up fairly frequently in the used market. No reverse gear, though, you have to spin 'em around.

A fascinating perspective to be sure. To answer lu22's question then, and after finding the Facebook Marketplace ads providing price and a hint of the overall condition, Glenn's recommendation is to offer $1000 for the Explorer, I suggested waiting for other opportunities, and the rest of the...

Me as well. About 8 years ago I paid $1100 for a fiberglass Curtis Ladybug just because I hadn't had one before and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. That was alot 8 years ago, now they are selling for at least that, Kevlar almost $2000!

I guess I am confused by the logic. If someone is offering a canoe for sale at $1400 and one believes it is not overpriced, then by offering the buyer $1000, does that not imply that it was thus 'overpriced'? I think the market decides what a fair price is for most things, not really a new...

I don't believe so. As I said, overpriced by at least a couple of hundred bucks each.

One last bit of advice for @lu22: even without benefit of a knowledgeable inspection, I think both canoes are overpriced by a couple of hundred bucks, more so on the Explorer that has been posted on FB North American Canoe Trader since Oct 2024. Since you are somewhere in the Northeast, you...

Easy to find, the Explorer is in Saranac Lake (FB Marketplace) for $1400 (and is stored hanging from the lining holes) The Wenonah is in Littleton NH for $1700 with a Redleaf bag, and is stored properly on its gunnels.

I think either canoe could suit your needs, and there are tons of reviews to peruse on both; from there on it becomes a matter of personal preference regarding seating etc. But of the two canoes you have pictured, I would opt for the Spirit II, if costs are equal. The Kevlar Flexcore layup...

There was a similar discussion regarding relative strengths of composite layups over on the MYCCR forum a couple of weeks ago. Included was a You-tube video from across the pond. Though not a canoe-specific application, some of the scientific impact testing was quite interesting, if one has...

Sometimes, I think, the marketing folks can target a specific paddler to excess and thereby alienate others, causing the early demise of a model. I think the Moccasin may have suffered that fate. When one hears “made for kneelers” most think “tippy when seated”, but it was not the case...

Okay, it needs a little work, but for $175? Why are you still here!

I had a 1999 Moccasin in Kevlar Flexcore for a while. Kruger design, but mine was ordered with the Wenonah sliding bucket. It was pretty quick and narrower than most of Wenonah solos. One of the canoes I regret selling, but too heavy for me in that layup with gelcoat. Definitely worth your time.

It would seem we live in a world where the manufacturer must anticipate every use or misuse of their product. Some examples of Swift user complaints from recent memory: Why didn’t someone warn me not to use the kayak roller boat launch with my Carbon Fusion pack boat? Why didn’t someone warn...

Idiot Savant, have you considered experimenting by pinching the gunnels to decrease the rocker slightly and improve tracking? I know the Echo is slightly under 30 inches at the beam, but some hulls respond better to this technique than others. It is a reversable modification if not successful.

I think many of us (well me) thought you had pulled the inserts partially or completely out, so overthought the repair. Should have waited for the pics, I guess. Sorry you feel that way about Swift; though not perfect, I would say their customer satisfaction is quite high. Biggest complaint...