Long post, i apologize in advance. I have been fortunate enough to get a bonus at work, so I am finally ready to buy a new “nice” solo canoe.
Some background: I picked up an older Rendezvous in tuf weave this Spring at a good price but have not used it a whole lot, just a couple of times. It’s 35 years old, and the gel coat is faded, pitted, and spider cracked in many, many places. I’m also not 100% sure I’ll keep it. It is efficient and fairly fast feeling, and decently maneuverable, but *wants* to be upside down. I haven’t capsized it (yet), but it takes way more focus and attention than anything else I’ve ever paddled to keep it upright. Dad capsized it when I let him try it out, and with water loading it down it was impossible to keep upright. It would not stay upright at all until we got it to shore and dumped it out. With weight in it, it appears to be most at home upside down, which is a bit of an odd quality for a boat. It didn’t take long to see why the bubble sided tumblehome is polarizing to folks. It is extremely trim sensitive as well, and I’m not in love with the sliding tractor seat, although I really should use it more before a final judgement. I may or may not eventually sell it, but it’s definitely not my dream solo.
I’ve also paddled a MR Guide a lot recently, although it is not mine. It has almost no bad qualities in my opinion. Its maneuverability is great for the rivers I run, and its stability is solid as a rock compared to the Rendezvous, despite being narrower. Its royalex hull is stiffer and seems tougher than my t-formex Prospector 15, although it’s heavier than the bigger boat. Since I don’t have portages here, weight is a low concern of mine vs. durability and performance. If it were still made I would be looking hard at a new one. I also love the depth and end fullness as it is a drier ride than my P15. It’s also plenty fast for what it is. Slower than the Rendezvous, but much faster than the P15.
Given this, I have plans to test paddle several different solos, with the following information in mind:
-I mostly run Ozark rivers with some fast sections with obstacles throughout so adequate rocker/maneuverability is needed. I generally prefer symmetric rocker unless on wider/slower water.
-I do kneel some but mostly sit unless in whitewater.
-It would only be used up to class II, and majority will be class I. I have a dedicated whitewater boat for anything higher than class II.
-The rivers I frequent have very abrasive gravel bottoms and shores, and often plenty of large rocks, as well as shallow spots with potential to scrape the bottom throughout. Durability/longevity is a key concern.
-This will mostly be for day trips as I have solo-able tandems for longer trips.
-Even for day trips, I’m a bigger guy and often take a cooler, chair, fishing gear, etc, so it’s not unreasonable to occasionally have a 300lbs total load in the boat. It wouldn’t be all the time, but I’d like the boat to be able to handle it comfortably.
So, I am considering several river oriented boats:
Hemlock SRT: Love the looks and the stats on paper. It seems like possibly my ideal boat. However, it is narrow and mostly a kneeling boat. Have seen several people say they aren’t comfortable sitting in anything but flat calm water. Hard to test paddle without driving 12.5 hrs to New York, but willing to make the drive. (If anyone has one closer they’d let me test paddle
please let me know!). Hemlock is also willing to modify the layup slightly, which is very cool.
Nova Craft Supernova in tuff stuff expedition: Good size and depth, and good reports of performance for rivers. Apparently almost no initial stability, very round bottom. Possibly too much boat for mostly class 1-2. Also NC tuff stuff layups seem to chip gel coat pretty badly. Wish it were still available in royalex or the newer t-formex. Test paddle will be a 4-5 hr drive to Arkansas as there are no dealers closer, but definitely doable and can also probably test a NC Prospector 14 at the same time on the off chance I love it.
Northstar Phoenix in IXP: Specs are pretty similar to the MR Guide which I love. I like the IXP layup (same as my Polaris). I wish it were deeper, and I have some concerns about capacity even though specs list 360lbs optimal max. Have also heard it can be sluggish doing eddy turns. Otherwise it could be perfect. Will probably be a 5 hr drive to Rutabaga to test paddle.
Esquif Pocket Canyon: Technically a small tandem, but 14.5’ is solo territory. Love the size and depth, and t-formex is pretty good for my uses. Rocker is pretty high, maybe too much for mostly class 1-2, but I could also narrow the boat for easier solo paddling and decrease rocker at the same time. Have heard it’s both slow on flat water, or that it’s “surprisingly fast” on flat water. Apparently pretty subjective, so will have to paddle to see what I think. There is a used one for sale near me but price is a little high (has been for sale for 8mo w/no change), although it is fully outfitted w/Mike Yee outfitting. Some river rash but overall good shape.
Other boats I considered at one point but decided not to pursue:
-Wenonah Wilderness: Not enough rocker.
-Wenonah Argosy: Probably not big enough, polarizing like the Rendezvous, and similar tumblehome.
-Clipper Prospector 14 or Caribou S: Could be perfect but none within a 20+ hour drive unfortunately. Emailed Clipper about a dealer close that appears to have shut down, never heard back.
-North Star NW solo: Not enough depth, rocker same as my Polaris and I want easier turning for this solo. May still test paddle at Rutabaga just to be sure.
-Swift Prospector 14: Not enough rocker, not enough depth, seems like a lake boat (pretty though).
-Swift Dragonfly 15: Seems great on paper, but expensive and difficult to test paddle for my area. Also saw a recent report on Facebook about it drafting more water than a Phoenix or SRT in side by side comparisons with the same load in the same conditions. I also have some concerns about the layup vs IXP or others given the abuse I know I’ll put it through, especially if it sits lower in the water than some other options. Spider cracks or gel coat chips are unavoidable, but the Swift’s seem pretty prone to these and I feel like it would hurt me worse personally due to the price. I just can’t see spending the money on a custom ordered beautiful boat like this and ending up with 3-4 good sized spider cracks on the 1st few outings. Since the cost is a stretch to begin with, I’d be sick about it and I don’t think I want the anxiety. Awfully cool boats though. I would still test paddle if possible, but doesn’t seem likely.
Other solos seemed too small, or not river oriented, etc.
So that’s currently where I’m at. Have I missed anything? Any personal experiences with any of these boats that anyone wants to share? I’ve read every thread on every forum I could find on these, but when you’re searching for a boat you always want more info/stories/experiences. Thanks!
Some background: I picked up an older Rendezvous in tuf weave this Spring at a good price but have not used it a whole lot, just a couple of times. It’s 35 years old, and the gel coat is faded, pitted, and spider cracked in many, many places. I’m also not 100% sure I’ll keep it. It is efficient and fairly fast feeling, and decently maneuverable, but *wants* to be upside down. I haven’t capsized it (yet), but it takes way more focus and attention than anything else I’ve ever paddled to keep it upright. Dad capsized it when I let him try it out, and with water loading it down it was impossible to keep upright. It would not stay upright at all until we got it to shore and dumped it out. With weight in it, it appears to be most at home upside down, which is a bit of an odd quality for a boat. It didn’t take long to see why the bubble sided tumblehome is polarizing to folks. It is extremely trim sensitive as well, and I’m not in love with the sliding tractor seat, although I really should use it more before a final judgement. I may or may not eventually sell it, but it’s definitely not my dream solo.
I’ve also paddled a MR Guide a lot recently, although it is not mine. It has almost no bad qualities in my opinion. Its maneuverability is great for the rivers I run, and its stability is solid as a rock compared to the Rendezvous, despite being narrower. Its royalex hull is stiffer and seems tougher than my t-formex Prospector 15, although it’s heavier than the bigger boat. Since I don’t have portages here, weight is a low concern of mine vs. durability and performance. If it were still made I would be looking hard at a new one. I also love the depth and end fullness as it is a drier ride than my P15. It’s also plenty fast for what it is. Slower than the Rendezvous, but much faster than the P15.
Given this, I have plans to test paddle several different solos, with the following information in mind:
-I mostly run Ozark rivers with some fast sections with obstacles throughout so adequate rocker/maneuverability is needed. I generally prefer symmetric rocker unless on wider/slower water.
-I do kneel some but mostly sit unless in whitewater.
-It would only be used up to class II, and majority will be class I. I have a dedicated whitewater boat for anything higher than class II.
-The rivers I frequent have very abrasive gravel bottoms and shores, and often plenty of large rocks, as well as shallow spots with potential to scrape the bottom throughout. Durability/longevity is a key concern.
-This will mostly be for day trips as I have solo-able tandems for longer trips.
-Even for day trips, I’m a bigger guy and often take a cooler, chair, fishing gear, etc, so it’s not unreasonable to occasionally have a 300lbs total load in the boat. It wouldn’t be all the time, but I’d like the boat to be able to handle it comfortably.
So, I am considering several river oriented boats:
Hemlock SRT: Love the looks and the stats on paper. It seems like possibly my ideal boat. However, it is narrow and mostly a kneeling boat. Have seen several people say they aren’t comfortable sitting in anything but flat calm water. Hard to test paddle without driving 12.5 hrs to New York, but willing to make the drive. (If anyone has one closer they’d let me test paddle
please let me know!). Hemlock is also willing to modify the layup slightly, which is very cool.
Nova Craft Supernova in tuff stuff expedition: Good size and depth, and good reports of performance for rivers. Apparently almost no initial stability, very round bottom. Possibly too much boat for mostly class 1-2. Also NC tuff stuff layups seem to chip gel coat pretty badly. Wish it were still available in royalex or the newer t-formex. Test paddle will be a 4-5 hr drive to Arkansas as there are no dealers closer, but definitely doable and can also probably test a NC Prospector 14 at the same time on the off chance I love it.
Northstar Phoenix in IXP: Specs are pretty similar to the MR Guide which I love. I like the IXP layup (same as my Polaris). I wish it were deeper, and I have some concerns about capacity even though specs list 360lbs optimal max. Have also heard it can be sluggish doing eddy turns. Otherwise it could be perfect. Will probably be a 5 hr drive to Rutabaga to test paddle.
Esquif Pocket Canyon: Technically a small tandem, but 14.5’ is solo territory. Love the size and depth, and t-formex is pretty good for my uses. Rocker is pretty high, maybe too much for mostly class 1-2, but I could also narrow the boat for easier solo paddling and decrease rocker at the same time. Have heard it’s both slow on flat water, or that it’s “surprisingly fast” on flat water. Apparently pretty subjective, so will have to paddle to see what I think. There is a used one for sale near me but price is a little high (has been for sale for 8mo w/no change), although it is fully outfitted w/Mike Yee outfitting. Some river rash but overall good shape.
Other boats I considered at one point but decided not to pursue:
-Wenonah Wilderness: Not enough rocker.
-Wenonah Argosy: Probably not big enough, polarizing like the Rendezvous, and similar tumblehome.
-Clipper Prospector 14 or Caribou S: Could be perfect but none within a 20+ hour drive unfortunately. Emailed Clipper about a dealer close that appears to have shut down, never heard back.
-North Star NW solo: Not enough depth, rocker same as my Polaris and I want easier turning for this solo. May still test paddle at Rutabaga just to be sure.
-Swift Prospector 14: Not enough rocker, not enough depth, seems like a lake boat (pretty though).
-Swift Dragonfly 15: Seems great on paper, but expensive and difficult to test paddle for my area. Also saw a recent report on Facebook about it drafting more water than a Phoenix or SRT in side by side comparisons with the same load in the same conditions. I also have some concerns about the layup vs IXP or others given the abuse I know I’ll put it through, especially if it sits lower in the water than some other options. Spider cracks or gel coat chips are unavoidable, but the Swift’s seem pretty prone to these and I feel like it would hurt me worse personally due to the price. I just can’t see spending the money on a custom ordered beautiful boat like this and ending up with 3-4 good sized spider cracks on the 1st few outings. Since the cost is a stretch to begin with, I’d be sick about it and I don’t think I want the anxiety. Awfully cool boats though. I would still test paddle if possible, but doesn’t seem likely.
Other solos seemed too small, or not river oriented, etc.
So that’s currently where I’m at. Have I missed anything? Any personal experiences with any of these boats that anyone wants to share? I’ve read every thread on every forum I could find on these, but when you’re searching for a boat you always want more info/stories/experiences. Thanks!
. It’s interesting that most of the folks he has on the channel to test paddle end up picking the Phoenix more than any other. That in itself speaks well of the hull I’d say. I do wish it were a little deeper, but I saw somewhere that it might “act deeper” due to the shouldered flare of the Yost design. I’m assuming that means it deflects more water away from the hull which gives the same benefit as having more freeboard. This would still result in less capacity vs a similar hull with more depth though (no replacement for displacement I believe). It does seem like plenty of folks sit in them though and as you say it’s easy to change out the drops. It may very well be the boat for me, I like the specs, layup, and the looks. 
