Swift Solo Canoes - 2023 Edition

[@bosse641]

Wow, Keeywadin 16 sure is a very nice canoe. Would love that. 😍

[@NavikarRam-sq1nj]

Saw a Swift last year on my first Algonquin trip and jaw dropped. My father-in-law joined me in oogling the canoe. Wife got jealous. Truly a work of art and craftsmanship. Hats off to your team.

[@charlestimm7281]

Lots of great info, thanks. Are you related to Chris Farley?

[@canoeman1961]

This video must have been very energy consuming Bill: you lost 10 lbs from the beginning of the video to the end😂😂. I'm about 2 inches shorter, and about the same weight as you (at the start of the video). A couple of years ago I bought the 17 foot kevlar fusion Prospector with carbon trim (which I absolutely love). I moved up from a Winisk, as I wanted a slightly beefier boat for more large water stability paddling with a guy identical in size to me. The boat works beautifully in rough open water. I have used this boat solo too, but have to put in a lot of gear or water ballast at the front to paddle from the back seat. This is not a great problem, but now seeing the video, and having previously considered it, a solo boat is my next addition. The built-in foot bracing was also a great addition to the package. Your demo with a large person in a 14 foot canoe showed the comfort he has with that boat. I am more thinking 16 footer in mostly carbon, as I really prefer more stability on open water (I often cross Lady Evelyn Lake solo). I carry a lot of gear solo (2 - 115L canoe packs and the smaller food barrel). Do you think the 16 foot Keewatin is the better choice, and should it be in the transferable 2 person seating alternative, or does it come as a dedicated solo boat as well, as I will still be using my Prospector for tandem trips?

[@billswift8022]

My weight does fluctuate a bit in the winter :)

[@robjones8733]

Wow beautiful canoes. Wondering about the bottoms...are these all round hulls?

[@brentmoreland2623]

Wow that Prospector 14…. Very nice! What is the current lead time?

[@NobleEndeavours123]

Will you have a video coming out soon about the Wildfire? I am looking forward to learning more about it.

[@billswift8022]

We will have a video on the Wildfire when it does come out. It will make its debut at Canoecopia in a couple weeks :)

[@DarrenBush]

@@billswift8022 Can't wait to see it!

[@mmmbass6068]

I know not exactly apples-for-apples, but which boat has the best primary stability (in same seating configuration of course) - Keeywadin 15 or Cruiser 14.8? Or even the Cruiser 14.8 vs the Keewaydin 14? Thanks.

[@billswift8022]

It depends on your weight and how much weight you will be carrying. We vary the height of the seat by model so that all have lots of stability. Do you want to have a consult on the phone?

[@mmmbass6068]

@@billswift8022 thanks Bill but not just yet. Boat is for fishing, typically load around 240lb (I’m a broad shouldered 5’8” and 195lb), still considering both pack seat or adjustable height canoe seat. I want a boat with a bit more performance than the Prospector, and would like to keep it around 14 feet. Hence looking at the Keeywadin and my interest in its primary stability. Maybe wait for the Cruiser 13.8 or Wildfire if their primary stability is superior to the Keeywadin. I’m used to paddling both rec and sea kayaks so I’m comfortable with a little bit of movement. So much to consider! But it is a big investment so I want to get it right. Thanks again Bill, your KZbin vids are not just great to watch but incredibly informative. Cheers, Todd.

[@billswift8022]

@@mmmbass6068 Todd, I think you should plan to test paddle a bunch of our Pack and Solo boats when you get the time! :)

[@mmmbass6068]

@@billswift8022 that’s a great idea Bill, but I’m about 10,000 miles southwest of you. I plan to go up to Paddle and Portage during the year (who I’ve spoken with, lovely guys and very knowledgeable), but they only have a limited range of boats at the moment. I get the feeling I will be giving you a call once the Wildfire and Cruiser 13.8 are released. Cheers.

[@billswift8022]

@@mmmbass6068 It sounds like you may need to make a trip to Canada to visit Algonquin Park and try some boats :)

[@canadier-paddeln]

👍👍

[@joegorocket]

I don’t know why he doesn’t talk about the price is a shame of the price or proud of it , yes this canoes are beautiful but I never been inside one or touched one, just like everything else 80 % of people won’t be able to afford it. Like Persian Carpets who will pay $25K for it, when you could buy the same size carpets for $500.