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?

 

[dutchlennart]

always good to see a face to connect to a name. enjpy the paddling some lovely boats and surroundings. It was a lovely chat about boats

 

[canootrippa]

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?

Thanks for the feedback.

It's a 240 cm length paddle. I'm thinking about testing a 260 cm paddle when I can get to a shop that has demo paddles available. I'd like to see if a 260 cm paddle will reduce the amount of water dripping in the boat while still being a reasonable length.

 

[Neophyte]

I have a 250 cm and it works well enough, but I do think a 260 cm would be better. However, I haven’t used the double blade much this season and I haven’t tried a longer paddle.

 

[snapper]

I haven't watched your video yet (will do that later) but recently picked up a Cruiser 16.8 and wanted to chime in. So far, it's been everything I'd hoped for. I've only paddled it with a single blade paddle but it's handled everything I've tried with it. I love how well it turns when you put it on edge and it goes straight will little effort. I've only taken day trips so far but hope to get out in it on an overnight this fall. Fishing from it, along with taking my 50 lb. dog with me, have all been a joy. All and all, a great boat and I'm so happy I was able to acquire one from our local paddle shop.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[canootrippa]

When I got the boat home, I was pleased to discover that a 60 Liter barrel will fit (barely) in the forward section of the boat. That will be handy when going on trips where I pack more gear than my recent Temagami trip.

 

[canootrippa]

I haven't watched your video yet (will do that later) but recently picked up a Cruiser 16.8 and wanted to chime in. So far, it's been everything I'd hoped for. I've only paddled it with a single blade paddle but it's handled everything I've tried with it. I love how well it turns when you put it on edge and it goes straight will little effort. I've only taken day trips so far but hope to get out in it on an overnight this fall. Fishing from it, along with taking my 50 lb. dog with me, have all been a joy. All and all, a great boat and I'm so happy I was able to acquire one from our local paddle shop.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

It's great to hear you have similar feedback on the boat. Based on the location note on your profile, I'm guessing you bought yours from Canoe & Kayak Rentals and Sales in Portland, NY. I hear that's a great shop. I heard rumors about CKRS having an upcoming demo day and possible community paddle this Fall. I hope to be able to attend.

A great place to challenge the Cruiser's heeling and turning capabilities while having fun is on the Oswegatchie River upstream from the Inlet Road launch point (off Rt 3, not far west of the hamlet of Wanakena, NY). There are numerous tight bends to navigate, and it really puts one's heeling and turning skills to the test. Here's a photo from last week showing one of the horseshoe bends. The finger of water off to the left is an oxbow. The river flows from the right-hand side of the photo to the center channel of water.

It can be done as a day trip, or paddlers can use one of the many campsites or lean-to sites along the river system. It's about a 45 minute paddle upstream from the Inlet Road launch point to the first campsite (Site 45).

 

[snapper]

@canootrippa- Yes, you're correct in where I purchased my canoe. Brent Baysinger and his staff do a wonderful job of getting folks out paddling. I've known him since he first opened the shop. He has expanded considerably and know has a fantastic showroom in the old mill that sits waterside next to his original storefront. I've now attended two of his paddle demo days and Bill Swift was at both of them. This year we did a day paddle on the Susquehanna River in support of a local conservation organization as part of the program.

If you do decide to come to Brent's next event, let me know. We live 6 miles from the shop and there's plenty of room in our old farmhouse. You're more then welcome to join us.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper