Now that this boat has been out for a year, I was wondering if folks on this forum have any use experience with the new design. I have had an original Dragonfly since 1988 and never found a canoe I liked better. But I am getting old, going on 77, and would really like a bit more stability and ease. My only other problem has always been wind - I live in a very windy area and struggle in the wind, mostly to turn and go downwind. I have wondered if the much increased bow height has improved the dynamic balance in the wind. Any experience and thoughts would be appreciated. I haven't paddled one personally - it's over 1,000 miles to a dealer. But if it looks like a good idea, a trip would be in order.
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Thoughts on the Dragonfly 15
- Thread starter Bill Fryer
- Start date
I know nothing about the boat but this thread might have some interesting info if you haven't seen it.
The New Swift/DY Redesign of the Dragonfly
In collaboration with the ubiquitous and eternal David Yost and Jeremy Vore of Redleaf Designs, Swift has redesigned the legendary, if rare, 1982 Curtis Dragonfly into a new canoe, called the Dragonfly 15. I'll explain how the specs have been changed and then embed Swift's introduction video...
www.canoetripping.net
@RPATCH has a DF 15 that he has paddled many hundreds of miles in all sorts of conditions all over North America. Hopefully, he'll see this thread.
I paddled his canoe on a very twisty creek in the NJ Pine Barrens, where it performed well, but there was no wind exposure and I can't compare it to the original DF because I've not paddled one.
I paddled his canoe on a very twisty creek in the NJ Pine Barrens, where it performed well, but there was no wind exposure and I can't compare it to the original DF because I've not paddled one.
I know this isn't exactly what you asked for, but I love doing mental canoe comparisons. When it gets warmer I am going to pester a good friend of mine to let me paddle his boats and do this comparison: in my mind the only things out there that can compare to the D15 are the Redfeather RockSTAR (which I have) and the Hemlock SRT (which I love). I do not have supporting data, but I bet the Swift Dragonfly will likely carry a large load a bit more comfortably than the SRT - but the SRT is very playful, probably handling more like your OG Dragonfly than the D15. Plus of course the OG Dragonfly and the SRT share the same DNA as they are both Harold Deal boats.
The D15 and my Rockstar are similar in width (the D15 max is 30", RS is 31" - but both have the same waterline width and the same gunwale width) - that's on the wider side so if you have shorter arms the SRT is likely a better fit. But that being said, if you're looking for a load-carrying tripper that is still playful, I bet the D15 and RockSTAR are about as good as it gets on the new market these days. The D15 of course has the amazing build that Swift is known for, but Redfeather is stepping it up - after what i put my boat through this past summer, I can personally vouch for the fact that it will take a beating and still get you home.
So all this to say that you may want to consider the SRT and RockSTAR alongside the D15. You could not go wrong with any of these options. If you have a shorter wingspan, especially given your experience with the Dragonfly, the SRT may be more up your alley if you've not paddled one. All three can be had in a light-weight version, but Swift clearly has the market cornered in the amazing technology department. And their assist options are quite awesome. If you're going to be rough and beat up on the boat however, than the Redfeather RockSTAR may be a more optimal choice in this market segment...
The D15 and my Rockstar are similar in width (the D15 max is 30", RS is 31" - but both have the same waterline width and the same gunwale width) - that's on the wider side so if you have shorter arms the SRT is likely a better fit. But that being said, if you're looking for a load-carrying tripper that is still playful, I bet the D15 and RockSTAR are about as good as it gets on the new market these days. The D15 of course has the amazing build that Swift is known for, but Redfeather is stepping it up - after what i put my boat through this past summer, I can personally vouch for the fact that it will take a beating and still get you home.
So all this to say that you may want to consider the SRT and RockSTAR alongside the D15. You could not go wrong with any of these options. If you have a shorter wingspan, especially given your experience with the Dragonfly, the SRT may be more up your alley if you've not paddled one. All three can be had in a light-weight version, but Swift clearly has the market cornered in the amazing technology department. And their assist options are quite awesome. If you're going to be rough and beat up on the boat however, than the Redfeather RockSTAR may be a more optimal choice in this market segment...
