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Newby. Help with tandem selection, please.

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Hello! Been lurking for a while and decided to join. New to canoeing but not to boats. 25+ years in jon boats, poling skiffs, a bay boat and I recently built two small composite skiffs. Also recently purchased an Old Town Stillwater to learn on before I drop big money on a nice canoe. (Not the ideal tandem, I know, but the price was right and it’s place to start.)

Looking for a lightweight tandem to be used solo 90% of the time. 3-4hr fishing trips. Mostly within a mile of put in, some trips could be 3-4 miles round trip? Mainly small lakes, coastal SC creeks and FL mangroves. Since I plan to use this into my 60’s and 70’s (hopefully 80’s?) and will need to hoist it up onto roof racks by myself, light weight is imperative. Stability more important than speed.

Considering: Wenonah Heron in either Kevlar or Intek, Northstar Opal in BlackLite k w/carbon fiber gunnels, Swift 15’ Prosector in carbon fusion w/carbon/kevlar gunnels. After researching, these seems to be the best options from low $ to higher end. The Swift would be my first choice but no easy way to look at / paddle one living in SC.

Even considering a 14’ solo Swift Prospector to really keep it light. I understand the trade off in stability if I go solo canoe.

Thoughts / considerations on the good, bad and ugly of these hulls and manufacturers?

Thx
 
Welcome Mr. Giffman,
If you have built a couple of composite skiffs, you clearly have the requisite skills, experience and suitable place to work.
Don't waste $3,000 on a fancy canoe, spend waaaay less and build exactly what you want.
Just my admittedly biased opinion.
 
The thought crossed my mind but the idea of starting another boat build makes me want to vomit. lol. 4+ yrs of dirty work and I’m officially burned out. Bucket list item achieved and glad I did it. I’ve sold the boats and the proceeds will pay for a Mac daddy canoe of my choice.
 
Hello! Been lurking for a while and decided to join. New to canoeing but not to boats. 25+ years in jon boats, poling skiffs, a bay boat and I recently built two small composite skiffs. Also recently purchased an Old Town Stillwater to learn on before I drop big money on a nice canoe. (Not the ideal tandem, I know, but the price was right and it’s place to start.)

Looking for a lightweight tandem to be used solo 90% of the time. 3-4hr fishing trips. Mostly within a mile of put in, some trips could be 3-4 miles round trip? Mainly small lakes, coastal SC creeks and FL mangroves. Since I plan to use this into my 60’s and 70’s (hopefully 80’s?) and will need to hoist it up onto roof racks by myself, light weight is imperative. Stability more important than speed.

Take a look at a Northstar Polaris with a center seat. The Polaris is a narrow tandem and can be ordered with a center seat. I ordered one this way in blacklite with a footbar for the center seat. After removing the bow and stern seats the canoe weighs 37 pounds. Very stable sitting in the center seat and fast. I added a webbing carry yoke for lifting and carrying. I’m 78 and have no difficulty loading this canoe on my own.

IMG_0158.jpeg
 
A center seat is the best position for a serious fishing canoe, IME. Other than that, of the canoes you mentioned I would prefer the Opal over the Heron. I think the 16" stern on the Heron is too low when paddled backwards from the bow seat, and I like the look of the stems on the Opal better. The 15' Swift looks very similar to the Opal and has a very traditional look that I like.
 
I've paddled the Swift P14 and P15. Overall I think the P14 is a great choice since it's an exceptionally stable solo. Why compromise for 90% of your paddling?

That said, if you want a tandem I'd be curious to know what you like and dislike about the Stillwater. The P15 is VERY stable...and in my view a little sluggish. If you will always be on calm water that may not be a problem but the P14 will cover distance more easily and do it in less than perfect weather.

I also have a Northstar Polaris with center seat. Polaris is a bit narrower than the vast majority of tandems and that helps it paddle quite nicely solo. It's still very stable. I like the looks of that Opal too. If you're near SW MI you're welcome to try my Polaris.
 
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