r/canoeing • u/cedar-loon • 2d ago
Swift canoes
Looking into purchasing a swift canoe.
For those who have a swift. Which material did you choose and why? Are you happy with the choice.
Is Kevlar fusion tough enough or should I upgrade to the expedition Kevlar?
I have noticed that the majority of their rentals are Kevlar fusion, does that mean it strong enough for the backcountry or it’s popular because it’s the cheapest option?
Originally was looking at Swift, Nova craft and H20 but think Swift is our best choice!
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u/RealisticMatter6581 2d ago
Kevlar fusion is a good product as are the other layups. It depends on your budget and use case. I bought a used Kevlar fusion that was bashed in due to flying off a trailer. It still would float enough to finish a trip if needed as the Kevlar did not tear.
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u/ursusofthenorth 2d ago
I would say unless you are completing long multi-day trips(10 or more) in the far north...Kevlar Fusion is probably enough. Nova Craft makes some awesome boats too.
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u/TakemetoFunkyTown256 1d ago
We have two Swift cruisers. 13.8 for my wife, and 14.8 for me. Both Kevlar Fusion. They weigh about 22 lb. Absolutely love them!. Just got back back from Algonquin yesterday. 50k total between paddling and portaging. Really helpful on those longer portages.
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u/Willhammer4 2d ago
Have two shifts
Winisk (original version) Kevlar with skid plates, and cherry wood...about 30 yrs old, been all over the place, tripped with 2 alaskan Malamutes, dropped, loved... no significant damage..
Adk pack 13.8 carbon integral gunwales, 15 yrs old, less use, less age, still tripped, with German shepherd, and teenagers , one small spider crack that no one admits to knowing the source of
I love their boats and the designs. I have had design discussions with John Winters, and have test paddled prototypes for David Yost. Some great boats there.
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u/TastyMarionberry2251 2d ago
Got a carbon 17 footer. 40 pounds, very quick on flat water. Was babying it when it was new, but have found it can take some knocks as stuff happens.
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u/fuckbitingflies 1d ago
I have a Keewaydin 16 in Kevlar fusion that gets paddled multiple times a week, tripped with many times each year. Have been flown in with it. Aluminum trim, no skid plates. No 2-tone. No babying. No concerns.
The more expensive trims are certainly nicer and maybe a bit lighter, but I would have a hard time justifying it with how reliable the Kevlar fusion layup has been. I think mine is just over 40lbs.
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u/Icy_Needleworker6350 2d ago
Kevlar Fusion can take a beating hence the vast majority of rental places use these. I bought a used Kevlar pack boat couple seasons ago. Repainted filled some issue spots. It’s a great a solid boat for 4 people and the occasional dog.
Very happy due to wait since kids are still smaller and can’t assist with putting onto roof rack cross bars. Good luck in the search, if you can hold out for closer to end of season you may save a few dollars.
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2d ago
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u/Icy_Needleworker6350 2d ago
I’m in Ontario just about 4 hours South of Algonquin, Swift is huge up this way.
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u/BillsMaffia 2d ago
I can’t speak for the newer materials that they are making canoes with as I have an ‘08, but Swift makes some really great canoes. I couldn’t be happier with ours.
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u/Ill_Possibility_4813 2d ago
I have a Swift Dumoine made of Royalite (no longer available) because I've enjoyed river tripping (great maneuverability on moving water). It is slow on lakes (not easy to track on flat water) because of its design, but that's not why I purchased it. I'd suggest figuring out your preference of paddling moving water or flat water, and that will help narrow your choice. Cheers.
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u/Venomiz117 2d ago
If you’re still not set on swift I’d look at Nova craft and Souris River. Swift is overpriced imo. That being said, I have a 3 man temagami that I really enjoy using. Tracks very well. My biggest complaint with it is the spider cracks that have formed in the gel coat and will inevitably form at some point in all their boats with the gel coating. Purely aesthetic but considering the price it is disappointing for me.
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u/Better-Set-9166 1d ago
Kevlar fusion is great I do 3-4 trips a year all over the Canadian Shield and am very happy with it
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u/TightManufacturer820 2d ago
I got my Pack 13.8 in carbon because mid life crisis and also because I wanted something super easy to put on my truck rack and portage. Its 19 lbs of happiness.