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...
If I have a complaint about the DF15, it is that mine weighs 39 lbs., but it's Expedition Kevlar with a gel coat inner bottom, which all adds up. That's the same as an SRT. As far as stability, it is not as lively as the original Dragonfly, but livelier than the Rockstar. That roughly equates to stability. I find the original Dragonfly to resemble sitting on a skinny log. The DF15 is a fatter log, so rolls slower. The Rockstar has more sticking flat to it. I can't say about the SRT. A couple of SRT paddlers have tried out my DF15 and preferred their canoes, but that may be confirmation bias or comfort with familiarity. I have paddled with SRT paddlers a bit and they seem to defy what the shear specs would say about susceptibility to wind. I have not been in bad windy conditions with my DF15. I find the DF15 to be my most comfortable canoe to paddle. It's a large canoe with finer ends than the SRT. I find it efficient enough, so much so that I have decided to use it going forward in place of my Hemlock Peregrine. I have not been in anything over class II whitewater yet. On the Big Salmon River last summer, I had but one splash over the gunwales and that was from the side. My impression so far is that it's drier than my Phoenix, but that's not really saying a lot. Obviously, I'm happy with it, but I don't know that you'd need such a large canoe if you're not loading it up with gear for a trip. It suits me either way at 6'-1" and a shade under 200#.
Thanks for the comments everyone. It does sound like testing one would be a good reason for a trip. I don't need a 'big' canoe but have always wished my Dragonfly was 6 in longer and a bit less tipsy. It took me a while to get comfortable in it at first, and now I'm getting tipsy again. I like the deeper sides and sense of bouyancy. I used to solo a Royalex Dumoine, so reaching isn't foreign to me. My old Dragonfly weighs about 39-40 lbs anyway, and I would go for a lighter build - expedition kevlar with the carbon kevlar trim and clear coat - that would make it easier to heft. Not being into whitewater, the SRT (and Raven) is a bit more typey than suits me. Again, thanks.
Just a suggestion - if you're going for a test paddle of a D15, I'd highly recommend also checking out the new Cirrus 14.6 - from what you're saying here it may tick all the points for you. It's the same length as the OG Dragonfly but it's fuller and can carry a larger load while having better primary stability. It'll be lighter than even the D15 and is surprisingly fun to paddle. I am a HUGE fan of the WildFIRE and was quite surprised at how fun the Cirrus was on my test paddle. If I hadn't already purchased a WildFIRE I'd have been mighty tempted by the Cirrus...
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If you go from a Dragonfly to a DF15 you're moving up quite a ways in volume. In my experience it can be important to match the load to the boat. A light load in a high volume boat is not a great recipe for serious wind. For me the DF15 looks way too big but the Cirrus looks very interesting. I doubt you want an SRT since the round bottom is like your DF...the boat is quick to roll (then has massive secondary stability).
I'll just mention the Keewaydin 15. It isn't as maneuverable as a true river boat but it still has good maneuverability, handles moderate to moderate+ current well, is much more stable than yiur DF and will cruise a little better plus it's just fine in serious wind. When my local river opens up and the water is cold and the current is high I'll be taking my Kee15.
I'll just mention the Keewaydin 15. It isn't as maneuverable as a true river boat but it still has good maneuverability, handles moderate to moderate+ current well, is much more stable than yiur DF and will cruise a little better plus it's just fine in serious wind. When my local river opens up and the water is cold and the current is high I'll be taking my Kee15.
Bruce Kemp, who has paddled an original Dragonfly for years, tried out my DF15 and felt it was immediately familiar, albeit larger and more stable.
@Bill Fryer, none of the primary issues you state with your current Dragonfly is going to be solved simply by being fascinated or mesmerized by a canoe with a similar name. As a reductio ad absurdum, what would you choose if all canoes were called Dragonfly?
Here are my thoughts from someone older than you with a lot of canoes.
Get a lighter weight canoe than your Dragonfly. You'll get even older.
Get a canoe with a wider waterline and flatter bottom than your Dragonfly.
You don't need a completely flat bottom canoe, although they are available, but rather one that has a shallow arch or elliptical bottom. The original Dragonfly, Swift Dragonfly 15 and Hemlock SRT all have roundish bottoms, and hence skimp on initial stability.
Get a canoe with less depth and less freeboard, especially at the stems, than your Dragonfly.
There are lots of solo canoes that meet those criteria. None is called a Dragonfly.
Here are my thoughts from someone older than you with a lot of canoes.
Get a lighter weight canoe than your Dragonfly. You'll get even older.
Get a canoe with a wider waterline and flatter bottom than your Dragonfly.
You don't need a completely flat bottom canoe, although they are available, but rather one that has a shallow arch or elliptical bottom. The original Dragonfly, Swift Dragonfly 15 and Hemlock SRT all have roundish bottoms, and hence skimp on initial stability.
Get a canoe with less depth and less freeboard, especially at the stems, than your Dragonfly.
There are lots of solo canoes that meet those criteria. None is called a Dragonfly.
