Recent content by Marc Ornstein

Yes. Any canoe that is paddled from a near center paddling station (minimal pitch, toward the bow or stern) will naturally carve away from the heel.

I agree, that for most, recreational paddling, heeling to the rail is unnecessary, though it can be useful occasionally.

The answer is yes, on both accounts. If I get the hull running straight (minimal interfering winds or currents) and I heel the boat, on-side or off-side, then take the paddle out of the water, I can often get a 180 deg.+ turn. If I initiate the turn, (sweep, J etc) place the paddle...

Both boats are similar in size and capacity. The Firebird has shouldered tumblehome as has been discussed above, while the Illusion is more of a "bubble sided" canoe. What that means is that when heeling, the Firebird will likely stiffen as you approach the shoulder and then will "release" a bit...

If "we" would stop patronizing Amazon and the other "cheaper is better" retailers, perhaps we'd have more high end retailers remaining in the marketplace. I paddle with a local group, mostly kayakers, and a regular topic of conversation is who bought the cheapest kayak at Walmart, Tractor...

Yes. This is the last scheduled event of the season.

The "best" example of a bubble sided boat from, back in the day, is the Curtis Lady Bug. Several of the other Curtis boats, of similar vintage, had bubble sides but were geared a bit more toward touring (straight tracking), though when heeled smartly, turn nicely. The Nomad is a fast touring...

Great trip report, Glenn. Thanks for a fine collection of beautiful photos of the ponds, its surroundings and Rascal. I appreciate your including me in a few, as well. As for a remake and trip to the third pond, I just checked with Rascal and he says that our schedule is clear, so, you're on.

Obviously, I am partial to the Savage River boats, June Bug, Illusion and Harmony, depending upon the size of the paddler. The Fire series, Flashfire, Wildfire and Starfire are quite popular and are all available on the used market. I believe that Swift offers both the Flashfire and Wildfire by...

One point on secondary, sometimes called final stability. Some very hard chined boats and some continuously flared boats can get very squirrely at some point in the heel and flip suddenly with only the slightest additional heel. Hulls with roundish bottoms and soft chines can generally be...

Most of the so called shouldered boats are essentially flared to the shoulders, then tuck in. As such they stiffen, as you heel them, until you reach the shoulder. Pushing them past the shoulder, they "release" a bit, making them feel, to some, a bit unpredictable, but only if the paddler wants...

https://www.weau.com/2026/08/31/indie-comedy-canoe-dig-it-coming-eau-claire-la-crosse-september/

1st off, a disclaimer. I am the designer of the Savage River Illusion. I receive a modest compensation for each hull sold. I designed the Illusion to be completely symmetrical. I prefer a hull that responds predictably, in both forward and reverse. I wanted a hull that would turn easily and yet...

My paddling partner and your website owner, Glenn MacGrady, on Boreas Pond in the NYS Adirondacks.

Thanks Alan. I have a suspicion that Glenn's boat may indeed be the culprit - well sort of. If I recall correctly, in the original batch of photos that I uploaded, only those with his boat in them were effected. I suspect, that whatever mechanism the program uses to "prepare" the photos for the...