Last year we bought a solo canoe called a Pack Boat. We bought it from Swift Canoe.
My cousin Cindy has had a Pack Boat for a few years and told us just how great they are to paddle. She is a photographer so it is perfect – so stealthy. Cindy is featured in a Swift Canoe video with Bill Swift.
It was a big decision. They are pricey, but it will last us a long time and it will be great as we age. It will also give us both the independence to just go for a paddle when the other person is not available … or interested.
We have paddled lakes near our house and our cabin including lakes in Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park – Loon Call, Long Lake, Wolf Lake and Crab Lake. We even got an Ontario Parks parking pass this year.
It took our dog a while to get use to being in the back by himself, but he figured it out. I was sure we would tip, but we haven’t. He has his life jacket just in case. Note, the Salus Skippy is the first life jacket he is happy to wear. The boat is stable and he can see over the edge, even when he is lying down. This makes it much nicer for him. In our tandem canoe he is up and down every 30 seconds.
My cousin’s boat is 12.6. I was going to order the same boat. However, when we called to order, we were advised to get the 13.8 because my husband will be using it and it might be used for an overnight trip. Also the dog was a factor.
Our boat is 13.8 a Swift Pack Boat, Carbon Fusion, Granite colour, high back seat with lumbar support, Carbon package, including the yoke.
When we picked the boat up in Gravenhurst we loved it right away, however, when we were loading it we realized it was not perfect. The coating on the gunnels was not smooth on the underside. We went back into the store to ask about it – because we were worried it would peel. We were assured that it will not peel off. It also weighed more than advertised. It weighed 27 pounds not 24 pounds, even though we got carbon everything. The back seat was also crooked. None of these were deal breakers, but for the money, we were expecting perfection, so we were a bit disappointed.
When I contacted Swift Canoe, Bill Swift called me back personally. He offered to rebuild the boat for us, but there was no guarantee that it would weigh less. It would mean another drive to Swift in Gravenhurst, and it would not be ready until the fall. Funny, we became attached to the boat so quickly – we decided to keep it. Seemed like a lot of work to save maybe 3 lbs. I hope I don’t regret the decision when I am 70. They did send us a replacement seat back so it is now much more comfortable.
We bought a step that I use for putting the boat on the car. I can pick the canoe up and get it on my shoulders from the ground, I just can’t lift it up over my head and on to the car because we have an SUV.
A lot of people have stopped me to ask about the canoe. It is unique and we do love it. It handles well in high wind and waves. It is so close to the water and the weight is in the bottom of the boat, so it is very stable. I have been sideways in big waves and it just rides over them. It is very, very fast and it is comfortable; so much more comfortable than a kayak! The footrests are great – very easy to adjust.
We got a discount in the store when we bought the boat so we bought a Werner paddle that we love. It is very light.
We were advised to use 303 Protectant to protect the boat from the sun, but it also helps to hide the scratches. It works great.
I wish we could take the pack boat with us on canoe trips so we have it at the site for those times people would like to just do a little paddle alone, but pulling it behind us would be a nightmare.
We would get another pack boat if we won the lottery – and if we had storage – two pack boats would be great. Maybe someday!
