The Swift Prospector 15 Combi Canoe: Is it worth the extra $?

I waited months and months for the delivery of my new Swift Prospector Combi 15 and after my first backcountry solo trip last week of October in Algonquin via Dividing Lake to Big Porcupine I decided something had to change. Spring 2022 I decided to sell my new Swift Prospector 15 for a Nova Craft Prospector 15 in TuffStuff because I wanted to start doing more river tripping along with the standard flat water trips I do. It's a much heavier boat and I know it's not super ideal for long Algonquin portages but at the end of the day I need more than one canoe if I'm to enjoy what Ontario has to offer backcountry wise.
Keep watching as I detail why I changed my Combi 15 with the Prospector 15 in the exact layup as the Combi - Carbon Kevlar and champagne bottom. At the end of the day the swap out cost me a few bucks but also shaved down a couple of pounds while reducing an extra seat I didn't need.

[@GeneD283]

This is a follow-up post to my earlier one 8 months ago. Based on your experience I ordered the Prospector 15 in a tandem configuration versus the combi and I'm so happy that I did. I've had the canoe since last December and I really like paddling from the front versa seat where the canoe is narrower than the more central location of the combi seat. I also strongly prefer a fixed yolk that also serves as a thwart versus the removable one that comes with the combi. Thanks again you helped me to avoid making the same mistake 👍

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Great news! It just makes sense.

[@GullsofBohn]

Wow, just wow. Enjoy that beauty

[@ghostdog7306]

You're fortunate to get a straight swap, everybody's happy... Especially you

[@Hawksshadow]

I've paddled the Swift prospector 15 for hundreds of KM's and can vouch it is the best tripping canoe out there. Solo or tandem - nothing can beat the design for sea worthiness. She can also carry one heck of a load if you decide to base camp and want to bring along some extra gear. Good Choice Mike - BTW - When soloing - be sure to pack some weight in the stern to get the bow keel to settle in the water - she will take a sidewind in stride and keep straight line.

[@NobleEndeavours123]

This was a really interesting video to watch because it very clearly shared the various emotions you felt in this process. Boats are personal and we get invested in them in surprising ways. I firmly believe you made the right switch for you. Thanks for sharing and hopefully sometime next year we get out on the water together! :)

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Thanks! I truly believe that the Combi is best suited for those at cottages or not carrying much and especially portaging less than me. I’m always looking for a partner. In fact I’m planning a trip next weekend. Interested?

[@NobleEndeavours123]

@@Up_north_with_Mike Unfortunately I have to say no to the awesome offer for this year however I will take you up on an offer next year if we can work out timing etc

[@nhoj624]

Just watched your video, I too have a prospector 15 and I have wondered if I should have gotten the combi. Thanks for confirming that I got the right one. I thought of the same issues that you mentioned. Hope to see more tripping videos.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Thanks for watching. I had to share my concern over the Combi and it’s deficiencies. The portaging noise from the middle seat was the tipping point. Pun not intended.

[@richarddsouza7761]

Thanks for making the video. It was great to hear your thoughts in the video and to read them further in the comments. I just picked up a 16 Prospector and was wondering about these Combi's. They're so beautiful to look at...

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

My pleasure.

[@jaysway2346]

I think that extra stop on the way home really worked out for you. Right place at the right time.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

So true. My entire solo trip I knew the boat wasn’t for me.

[@fireyourrocketts]

I have the pack 6.9 and it is great for calm water, I am outgrowing it as have gained weight passing 200 pounds either need to shed back to 180 or swap the boat or lighten my load up being the first my preferred choice!

[@coffee-deet]

In deed this was interesting, thank you for sharing. I was ready to purchase one and thought either the Prospector 15 combi or the Keewaydin 16 combi but now I am not that sure anymore if I should take a combi at all. Guess I need to test paddle them somewhere.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Honestly I was hesitant about the Combi because hey it’s a Combi why not since it does everything but in the end the Prospector 15 does everything and doesn’t have three seats to get in the way. All my solo trips weren’t with a Combi and I was happy for that choice.

[@downeastprimitiveskills7688]

Nice of Swift to accommodate. I have an older Prospector I actually removed the stern seat and bolted in a simple thwart on the position for stability and lashing things to. I do a lot of poling, standing up and would find a center seat to be awkward. I can see a center seat and no bow or stern seats with a double blade paddle as a way to go. I don't thing the bow and stern seats come out easy like the center seat does, maybe order it with just the adjustable center seat. If I take a passenger on I set them on a canoe chair Or bolt the seat back in which isn't often. I really like their prospector design. I like the gel coat on the bottom as well but not on the sides for a little less weight and the gel coat helps hide the love scratches, that just happen.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

I’d like to try poling when the need arises

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Thanks for the sun. I’ll be uploading a new video soon.

[@darrendavidsonoutdoors]

Interesting to hear different views. I solo all the time with my dog so the 14' solo Prospector was perfect for my needs. But my next canoe will be either a tandem or the combi. But haven't decided 15' or 16'.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Yeah I have no regrets not getting the solo or taking back the Combi. In fact I have a sigh of relief that I now have the Prospector 15 in carbon with champagne bottom. The bottom looks great and removes the scratches from my mind.

[@darrendavidsonoutdoors]

@@Up_north_with_Mike I have the Champaign bottom on my solo as well to hide those adventure tattoos. Just now I get the odd friend wanting to join me on some of these adventures which is why my next boat will be a tandem or maybe the combi. It won't be for a couple of years so who knows, maybe the great people at Swift will have something totally out of this world by then. LOL!

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

I would have though all seats were removable, If they were the boat space would have been wide open. Would that of worked out? Thanks for sharing

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

The seats are essentially permanently in place. Mind you they can be unscrewed and left behind I’m not interested in altering the boat. I’d feel better not to lose a seat or screws.

[@GeneD283]

Watching the Swift videos for the 2023 Prospector 15 Combi it can now be ordered with detachable bow, stern, and solo seats which I believe addresses your issue that the fixed bow and stern seats interfered with placement of your large bags. I'm currently evaluating ordering a Prospector 15 combi with detachable bow & stern seats versus the tandem with the versi-seats that can be comfortably used when seated in either direction. Thanks for the video it's given me a lot to consider

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

That’s great news. I’d still stay away from the Combi. So much easier to paddle from the bow for me. But good to know that Swift edited the Combi.

[@GeneD283]

@@Up_north_with_Mike Well I took your advice and ordered a Prospector 15 Tandem in carbon fusion with the Versa Bow Seat. Cost & storage with the Combi were not significant concerns for me in the end I preferred paddling from the more rearward bow position. Did the canoe you traded for come with the Vere Bow Seat? If not do you find the forward slanted bow seat comfortable for solo paddling? Lead time to receive my canoe is only a month or so I guess most people think about purchasing a canoe in time for the summer season. Here in the Memphis area we can canoe most of the year since we don't have the harsh winters

[@adamlivelife2608]

Sweet canoe i’am ordering my Keewaydin pack boat tomorrow these swift boats are no brainer for portage camping 🏕

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

I agree. The light boats make lake hoping simple. Although I’d definitely buy a Nova Craft for river and expeditions

[@ddg9584]

I will be doing some river tripping (Missinaibi river in northern ontario) soon. I was thinking of buying a Swift prospector 16 instead of nova craft prospector 16. Most people who are river tripping seem to choose the nova craft. The swift seems lighter and quicker. Can you explain why you would rather use Nova Craft? Still undecided. Thanks! @@Up_north_with_Mike

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

@@ddg9584 the Swift is a great choice for lake hopping but I didn’t feel it was at all up to the task of anything river orientated. The Nova Craft is made for rougher water and rocks.

[@guy5968]

I’m a seasoned paddler having a similar dilemma. I’m trying to decide between the 16 prospector combi and the standard for my use; A little tripping, some solo with a 70lb dog, some solo with no dog and 30lbs of gear, fishing , tandem day trips with wife, dog and 50 lbs of gear. My main concerns about the combi: centered seat not an ideal location with dog and pack? Removable seat and yoke to deal with, thwart in a less than ideal spot removes the option of paddling backwards from front seat. My reservations about the standard model for my uses are: the front seat is canted forward for tandem paddling, (uncomfortable for solo paddling?) Paddling solo with little to no gear is less than ideal made worse in wind. It would be appreciated if you would share more details of your thoughts?

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

I’ll never look back. No Combi for me. Too much hassle and noisy middle seat when portaging. Also Ion a few occasions I left the seat behind having to drive or paddle back to get it. Not worth it in my experience.

[@richardpearce2186]

What would you recommend as a pack boat for 1 adult +1 medium large dog for mostly weekends with some 5ish day long trips. Fishing/paddling/camping? Solo portaging

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Hi Richard honestly I would consider a Prospector 15 and paddle from the bow reverse. I did that with all my trips with my dog for five plus days. Pack boats are not large enough for the dog and gear.

[@richardpearce2186]

@@Up_north_with_Mike Understood, I appreciate your taking the time to reply.

[@Lou_Zasil]

did they take your combi on trade or did you sell it privately?

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Straight swap. I’m very happy with my new Prospector 15. It’s the same colour and trim level as my Combi except it has a Champagne bottom. Didn’t think I wanted the champagne bottom but after seeing what the rocks do I’m a happy camper.

[@richarddsouza7761]

@@Up_north_with_Mike I just picked up a 16 Novacraft Prospector with a Champagne bottom for that exact reason! It's going to be so easy to look at :)

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Congrats on your new canoe!!

[@murraymetcalf-CA]

Just leave the Combi seat at HOME if you know you won't be using it. But having the option of putting the Combi seat back in for a day trip (with 3 people) is a nice option to have available. So are the considerations this simple, or am I missing something else important in the considerations between the straight Tandem, vs the Combi layup?

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

I went solo on this trip hence the need of the Combi seat otherwise if I went tandem it wouldn’t be with me. Also I wouldn’t paddle with three in a 15 footer. The Combi seat is strictly for solo paddling not for a third.

[@murraymetcalf-CA]

@@Up_north_with_Mike Thanks for your reply. Sorry, I am still not understanding ... what's the difference between removing the centre Combi seat and sitting backwards in the front seat, vs just sitting backwards in the front seat of a tandem canoe? Seems like the same end result to me? Just because you got the centre Combi seat option, doesn't mean you are forced to use it in a solo situation, right? The only difference I can see is that you paid for an option you weren't likely to ever use ... and then you did a straight trade for a straight-up tandem canoe, so you didn't recoup any of the addition cost for the Combi seat, so I don't see the logic for the canoe trade? I have a 16' Prospector Combi and so I like to have the option of being able to take a 3rd person for a short, day trip. I guess my extra 12" of length i(16') s pretty significant if one is ever going to add a 3rd person. Bottomline: with the centre Combi seat removed, the other aspects of the interior layout remain the identical, correct? Thanks for any further clarification you might be able to provide.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

@@murraymetcalf-CA in the contrary because I had the Combi seat I exclusively used it for soloing. Sitting towards the middle of the canoe we get a better balance and can shift weight both forward and aft while I get the best power paddling double bladed. I admitted it wasn’t for me and got rid of it. Eventually I bought a 16 footer and sets in the bow for my all my solo trips. By the way i haven’t paddled with two others in over three decades. People I paddle with tend to have their own canoes or I just go with my daughter and pup.

[@murraymetcalf-CA]

​@@Up_north_with_Mike The key here seems to be that your middle seat (I think) was NOT detachable? Mine is. So I can easily remove my middle seat and leave it at home when I am not planning to use it, or if I need more room for gear. So for me, a detachable middle seat provides ultimate versatility. And certainly going to a longer canoe provides more options for loading in your gear. I also have the dual-height option for my middle seat. I quickly concluded that the lower position was too low to use for soloing with my adjustable, extra-long double-bladed kayak paddle (constantly bumping/rubbing on the gunwales). And from the upper seat position, it seemed somewhat doable (I am slighter taller than average 5' 10"). I would imagine that using a double paddle from the centre-seat position is likely more doable in the slightly narrower, asymmetrical Keewatin model, but then if one doesn't like this solo position either, you can't just simply turn an asymmetrical boat around and paddle backwards from the front seat, as I can from my symmetrical 16' Prospector Combi.

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

It is detachable. It’s a Combi 15.

[@NormW64]

😍😍😍😍😍🔝💫

[@leoburosch3906]

Driving your car up the highway adds zero value to your skit It’s a waste of time and data

[@Up_north_with_Mike]

Thanks for the input.