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  1. tketcham

    Swift Drops a New Tandem Tripper - Wabakimi 18

    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...
  2. tketcham

    Swift Drops a New Tandem Tripper - Wabakimi 18

    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...
  3. tketcham

    Swift Drops a New Tandem Tripper - Wabakimi 18

    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...
  4. tketcham

    Kayoos

    "It's like deja vu all over again." (Thanks, Yoggi.) https://www.canoetripping.net/threads/what-is-a-canoe.128510/ And if it's not the boat, how about the paddle: Double-blade or single-blade? 😂
  5. tketcham

    Clipper prospector 14 debate

    First thing I thought of when they set out was that Ken needed some extra weight in the canoe to help with tracking. Still, paddling in a heavy wind isn't much fun in a bouyant solo.
  6. tketcham

    Clipper prospector 14 debate

    When I was looking for a durable expedition tandem I didn't start out considering Clipper's Prospector 17, mainly because I considered any "Prospector" to be more about tradition than function. But taking a second look at Clipper's canoe, it doesn't really look like a Prospector, and it had the...
  7. tketcham

    Clipper prospector 14 debate

    No worries. :) The main reason I ended up with three Western Canoe/Clipper canoes over the years is that I lived in Washington state for some time and had friends with a Clipper Tripper 17' 6" that they really enjoyed. They let me (us) try it out a couple of times and I was impressed with how...
  8. tketcham

    Clipper prospector 14 debate

    Here's a post (in the thread link below) by Rubbaboo about the Clipper Prospector 14 being used as a whitewater play boat... I’m comparing three boats: the Clipper Prospector 14, Clipper Caribou S, and the Nova Craft Prospector 15.
  9. tketcham

    Clipper prospector 14 debate

    I agree. I put the Clipper Prospector 14 up as a candidate for a solo canoe only as a suggestion. And I was careful to say it wasn't a whitewater playboat and would require a splash cover to keep dry. Also, additional floatation or dry bag floatation (or both) would be needed in case of a tip...
  10. tketcham

    The Canteen

    I agree. I use stainless steel thermos bottles now (Hydroflask) instead of Nalgene bottles. The drawback to the thermos bottles is they don't hold as much water for the same size bottle, so you have to carry more bottles or use larger bottles. I suppose I could find uninsulated metal bottles but...
  11. tketcham

    What are the best river and inland lake canoes of all time?

    It'd be interesting comparing the Clipper and Swift versions of the P14 in a range of water conditions. And I wonder if James van Nostrand and David Yost ever got to talk about canoes? Clipper builds solid canoes that last; they can be just a bit heavier for it though.
  12. tketcham

    What are the best river and inland lake canoes of all time?

    I don't know anyone personally but I've heard it's fairly capable in whitewater. It's not a playboat though, it's intended for handling fast moving sections of river carrying a load. It's an all-around canoe, designed to be able to cover long stretches of flat water and not have to portage...
  13. tketcham

    What are the best river and inland lake canoes of all time?

    I wasn't going to post anything because the OP is such an open-ended question, especially the "of all time" factor. And did it mean a canoe that can do both lakes and rivers or are they separate categories? Anyway, after RBourg's comment I thought about having one canoe that could do both. I...
  14. tketcham

    What are the best river and inland lake canoes of all time?

    What are the best river and inland lake canoes of all time? [Assuming you're including some whitewater capability but not difficult whitewater, Class 3+ and up.] Tandem: Clipper Prospector 17 for a combination of rivers and lakes. Why? I've paddled this canoe in all kinds of conditions and it...
  15. tketcham

    Kayak paddle length for wider canoe

    Exactly. That's what I've been trying to point out but apparently failed to convey. It's not about whether it's a canoe or a kayak. It's about a double-blade paddle that fits you and your boat and your paddling style. I think manufacturers and retailers would be better off not referring to...
  16. tketcham

    Kayak paddle length for wider canoe

    I checked the BB website and the Impression Solo isn't specifically a canoe paddle. In fact, it doesn't even show up if you use any of the canoe paddle filters, it just shows up among all the single-blade paddles under the "Canoe" heading. But if you look under the "Kayak Fishing" or "Kayak"...
  17. tketcham

    Kayak paddle length for wider canoe

    OK, but I'm not convinced and don't need to be because I don't use a double-blade paddle for canoeing. I may decide to use one if I'm no longer able to comfortably use a single blade paddle. Just for discussion, this is what Joe Moore at Placid Boatworks says about double-blade canoe paddles. He...
  18. tketcham

    Thoughts on Northstar Polaris or Northstar Boreas?

    Thanks for the comments on the Bell Northstar! Although the Northstar Polaris isn't the exact same canoe, I would think that the performance characteristics would be very similar. I see that Oak Orchard has a used Bell Northstar for sale. Despite the concerns I sometimes hear about Northstar's...
  19. tketcham

    Headlamps. Do you guys use 'em?

    Headlamps. Do you guys use 'em? Yup, headlamps are the best flashlights around for all sorts of things. Over the years I ended up with four headlamps with different brightness levels, features, and power. I usually bring a previous iteration as a spare. I would suggest that he make the...
  20. tketcham

    Thoughts on Northstar Polaris or Northstar Boreas?

    Nice looking canoe! I think Northstar's Blacklite with wood trim is a handsome combination. I often get compliments on my Firebird. But aluminum trim is maintenance free and lighter. I was thinking of the Starlite layup to save a couple pounds more. I'm becoming a gram weenie in my old age.
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