I have had a PB Rapidfire for more than a dozen years, original first generation, with wood gunwales, so it is a bit heavier than the next gen recent cobrasox models. With one glaring exception, I paddle it using a single blade canoe paddle only 99.9%. I use it not only for recreational paddling, and canoe tripping camping, but it is also my race training canoe when my usual race partners are not available to train in a bigger boat. I have a rail mounted higher than highest available stock floor mounted seat installed in my RF, and I even use a thick gel pad to elevate me slightly more for ease of normal single blade paddling. The only exception to using a single blade is when I paddle it during the Adirondack 90 mile canoe race in the solo-rec class, in which a double blade paddle is required by the rules. I like the RF a lot, but when the Shadow came out, it was clear that Joe created the Shadow for one main purpose, and that was to beat all the Rapidfires he had previously sold to racers in the 90 miler solo-rec class. I'll never forget the draft train of five Shadows paddled by PB employees completely dominating the race one year and others every year since in that race class. I have long wanted to get a shadow, but Joe's build time has for many years been one year from order date, especially if I wanted it outfitted with a higher than stock seat for single blade paddling. Joe is always present at the 90 miler, but if I wanted a Shadow for the following year's race, there would be no time to train in it before race date. Although I am tired of waiting, I may get one yet one day.
So, tiring of the constant year long wait time, I began looking at other options, including the GRB Legend, the Savage River Blackwater, and the Swift Cruiser. The first two also reported an extended wait time to build. But After meeting with Bill Swift in May, he said he could have my custom built Cruiser to me in about a month. it was delivered to me just last week, the same day that I received a call that a Blackwater may be available from Southern Tier Canoe. Sorry Jeff, too late.