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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...

In skinny, short hulls I have the same issue, but with my ankles. So I fab up a wood bar and lock it in position since with either foot bar or pegs I never move them. I used to put Wenonah bars in everything, but over the last few years mostly kayak style pegs.

Well, your FB post turned up a couple of more folks that experienced the problem, so there's that. If you want to remove, repair and reinstall, I get it. One thing about the PlusNut and similar crimp-type fasteners is that they work best when installed in a flat geometry to get the optimum...

Did you ever reach out to Swift? I know he has had to repair at least two others. Even if you don't want to ship it back there, he could provide some guidance on their process.

Even if you could get the old one out cleanly and repair the jagged hole, most of these inserts require a special tool to set it.

Echo 11.5" depth at center, Wildfire 12.5"

Agreed. Swift has been using 12 digits as long as I can remember. Should be good in any state. Is it possible the SWI prefix was not included in the correspondence?

FYI, I did find the Swift video in question, titled 'Video Owner's Manual - Solo Canoes'. In the video, owners are cautioned to lift the canoe with hands on the gunnels AND yoke (not just the yoke), to avoid transporting the canoe yoke attached, and to remove the detachable seats. It seemed as...

And why I thought it interesting. I've always wondered why, other than the Dagger Tupelo, no one ever offered a true sit-on-the-floor Royalex Pack canoe. Is that a Northstar seat on your Echo?

Be advised, there are smaller threaded inserts that secure the seats to the composite side pods in many of the late model solos. Best to be careful with those as well.

This is an example of a damaged insert and the hole that might be left after extraction. It would be interesting to see Black Fly's current state as well.