Thanks for all the input folks. I now understand I have no clue as to what type of canoe I need to try meet all my needs. Perhaps it doesn't even exist.

Unless I purchase some kind of predictable, flat bottomed canoe, I'd better make sure I can test paddle any high end canoe I'm interested in.

Chances are I'll just stick to my Skimmer 116 to paddle and fish. It works well except for the sore back I get from paddling it.

Harry

Oh no don't give up.. Go test drive whatever you can..Flat bottomed is not equal to predictable when the waves come up

No giving up, still looking each day. Almost talked myself into a Savage River Illusion after talking to John but at $5000Cdn to get it to Winnipeg I've reneged. If I lived in Maryland I suspect I'd be a proud owner but here in the prairies our options are few.

Harry

Oh wow now you are looking at a spinny river boat for small people. I suggest that you go to the Wisconsin Canoe Symposium and paddle Marc Ornsteins Illusion ( he is the designer for Savage River. The original Illusion is cedar strip)

Marc is 130 lbs sopping wet and five four. You are six inches taller. Height is the primary factor in selecting a solo canoe.

Heres Marc at a canoeing weekend in the Savage River version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4XZ2jyEFLE

Earlier years in the original Illusion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzTR-EyjanM

hope this helps

Trying to purchase a canoe long distance is obviously a gamble. The only canoes we can try out here are the Clippers and I tried the 14' Clipper Packer. I enjoyed paddling it but I shortly had a sore back, just like in my kayak. I talked to the Clipper owner about modifying one with a regular seat and we both eventually agreed that was not the way to go. Their Prospector 14 is 15" deep and has way more volume (and weight) than I need. The search continues.

Harry

the fault is not the canoe.. Your back hurts because the seat does not fit. Usually sore backs happen when seated and no footbar. A backrest is nice but the footbar is essential
A canted seat with the front edge lower than the back edge is easier on the paddler. Too often seats are flat. Flat is usually very uncomfortable If the seat is on drops this is entirely fixable. What you look at in a canoe in a store is not written in stone.

15 inches deep is a river canoe, which Prospectors usually are. More demanding of technique.

Id tear apart that Skimmer seat.. I don't know a thing about construction of that model but kayak seats are also replaceable.

I've thought about replacing the yak seat. My previous fishing yak, a Malibu X-15, had a high end seat and was quite comfortable but the 80# was a bit tough at the end of the day.

I'd still prefer to paddle a single blade canoe and will continue looking . The Swift Prospector 14' with a center depth of 12.5 looks a lot more like what I want compared to the Clipper model but again too pricey to buy sight unseen.

Harry

Harry, it's great that you have experience so that when you try a new canoe you will know if it fits your needs.

You might contact Swift and let them know of your interest in their solos. They may be able to put you in touch with some owner near you that may offer a test paddle or maybe they have other ideas for getting you into some of their solos. You are more than welcome to try my Osprey if you find yourself in SW Michigan.

I also wanted to comment that based on my experience with many of the Swift solo canoes, their very short descriptions are quite accurate in capturing the essence of the boat. The Osprey is still shown under Classic Editions and that's where they mention "excellent maneuverability", the Kee15 is characterized by "comfort plus performance" and so on with the other models. I just mention it since for example the Kee15 shows 2 inches of rocker front and one inch rear and the Osprey shows 1.5/1 yet the Osprey is the playful one.

Thanks for the offer daypaddler, I appreciate it but I likely won't end up in Michigan this summer.

I've called Swift but they haven't answered my calls and my only written inquiry was passed onto the dealer in Saskatoon. I suppose they're busy this time of year.

My new focus is on a Northstar Trillium since it looks about right, and I might be able to go for a test paddle within a 6 hour drive. I'm waiting for open water before calling around.

Harry

Hey Harry,

Though I am biased, I think the Trillium is a great choice.

We have 3 'local' dealers that I believe have Trilliums in stock.
Piragis - Ely, MN
Pioneer Midwest - Osseo, MN (twin cities suburb)
Midwest Mountaineering - Mpls, MN
All 3 offer demos (once the ice melts)
Also, Midwest Mtn hosts an event called the Outdoor Adventure Expo that runs from April 27-29. There is a demo on April 26 from 3pm-7pm. I'll be on the beach and at the Expo. Please email if you'd like additional info: bear@northstarcanoes.com

Good luck in the search,

Bear Paulsen
Northstar Canoes

Thanks Bear, that Outdoor Expo sounds like something I should attend. I know I'd be a heck of a lot more comfortable with buying a new canoe if I had a chance to paddle it first. And liked it.

Harry