Swift Cruiser 16.8 - First Impressions Video

[canootrippa]

I recently had the opportunity to be featured in a Swift Canoe and Kayak video where I discussed the new Cruiser 16.8 I ordered in Carbon Fusion with the Epoxy Resin option. The day after I picked up the boat from their Oxtongue Lake, Ontario location I took it on a backcountry trip to the Temagami Region of Ontario. After I finished the trip, Bill Swift suggested that I stop by their Gravenhurst shop and share my thoughts in a video.

We did the video in one take. After viewing the video I wish I had used different wording at times. For example, I should have said that I found rough water performance to be excellent, even when travelling perpendicular to the direction of the wind. Hopefully viewers understood what I meant.

About a week later, I was able to connect with David Yost via phone so I could thank him for designing such a great boat. He spoke with me for about an hour, and it was very interesting and educational.

Some of the topics covered in the video:

• Why choose an efficient tripping canoe?
• Canoe selection process
• Test paddling Terry Kent’s Cruiser 16.8
• Ordering process and picking up the boat
• Temagami Region trip route
• Tripping speeds
• Portaging yoke choice
• Adjustable height seat system
• David Yost discussion
• DY’s design approach for this model
• Seat shape and comfort level
• First scratch on the boat
• Dropping the boat during a portage
• Epoxy resin choice
• Hull stiffness
• Considerations when portaging with a longer boat
• Adjustable foot brace system
• Sliding seat for trimming the boat
• Double blade and single blade options
• Gear arrangement
• Temagami compared to Algonquin

 

[Neophyte]

Very enjoyable conversation, thanks for sharing. Don’t worry about your use of perpendicular, your explanation cleared it up.

I test paddled that canoe, but I suspect I don’t weigh enough for it. It was still fun though, it’s a very nice canoe.

Out of curiosity, what length is the double blade you’re using?