Opinions on a new boat - Rapidfire, Spitfire 13, Trillium

[lowangle al]

Hi Monel, I don't have any input as far as what boat to use but I have experience doing trips on that system. It sounds like you want to do a single carry and keep the weight down to about 65lbs. That was my goal for a single carry, but with 40-45lbs of gear and my Mohawk 13' solo at a little over 40 lbs. I could never get there. A total weight of 85lbs. was doable but a little too much for comfort. I did my solo trips on the Swanson River system on the West side of the road, which is a lot hillier than the Swan Lake side. I double carried the big uphills and single carried everything else.

I also didn't have the patients to install my carry thwart for every portage. I left it installed and paddled kneeling on the thwart with my gear up front. This worked fine, but after three days my knees got sore. If I could have found a 20 or 30 lb boat it would have been a lot more manageable. The single carry really cuts down your travel time, but if I had the time and only had a 40 lb. tandem, I would be OK with a more comfortable double carry. When I'm on the water I prefer to be in a tandem anyway, so that would be another benefit.

Have fun with whatever boat you decide on and I hope you catch some rainbows small enough to eat.

 

[Black_Fly]

I don’t like seats on the floor. Hard to get out of.

 

[RPATCH]

As another data point, I just purchased a Northstar Trillium in Blacklite with carbon gunwales and it weighs 25 lbs flat including a foot rest bar, which just happened to be installed.

 

[Newtown Mark]

I've paddled a Rapid Fire since 2014 and have nothing but good things to say. Stable, fast, efficient. I've used it for short and long trips. I went with the kevlar/carbon layup for strength and durability, with only a small weight penalty versus full carbon. The boat is designed to paddle with a kayak blade from a low seating position (but loaded, it tracks and paddles beautifully with a short bent shaft paddle). I can't say how the boat would "feel" if you raised the seat, but all things being equal, anytime you raise the center of gravity you decrease stability and I believe this would apply to any canoe.

 

[yknpdlr]

can't say how the boat would "feel" if you raised the seat, but all things being equal, anytime you raise the center of gravity you decrease stability and I believe this would apply to any canoe.

Very true from the CG perspective, but it becomes much easier to paddle it as a true canoe with a single blade paddle, as is my strong preference. Originally my RF came only the three stacked stock seats. The highest stack was just not comfortable for me. So, I went back to Joe to have him install the same rail seat configuration that he has in his own RF configured for racing. It has an extra inch and a half added to the seat height with a 15 degree forward tilt.

I have no trouble with stability or maneuverability control in any water or reasonable wind condition in my RF. For many years it was my single blade marathon single blade solo training canoe until I got a sleeker faster PB Shadow with a similarly raised seat. The shadow is a bit more tippy, but manageable and enjoyable for me. I simply do not enjoy using a kayak paddle in any canoe. I have way more control and fun with a single, either bent or straight.

 

[Newtown Mark]

I too like a higher seat when using a single blade. Maybe I need another boat?