Rapidfire harder to turn than Vagabond,
at least that’s my experience with the Curtis Vagabond that I own and the Rapidfire that I test paddled last fall.
I believe that the seat height is the main factor - the Rapidfire had the medium height seat, which appeared to be about 2.5" off the bottom and the Vagabond’s seat is about 8.5" off the bottom. It’s easier for this 165 lb paddler to heel the boat with the higher seat than the boat with the lower seat, though the Rapidfire feels incredibly stable with the medium seat, almost boringly stable on the Illinois river when I test paddled it. If I were to get a Rapidfire, I’d get one of the higher seats.
kinda strayed…didn’t you
I would pin the fault on the seat angle too. The low seat in the RF has a way different angle that throws your weight back and pins the stern. All canoe turns have to start with a stern skid. Its harder to start a pinned stern skidding.
The higher seats have a different seat angle…check out the specs. Most canoe seats and likely the one in your Vagabond have a slight forward cant.
Mike R (mijo)
I’ve sent pictures of the cam to you but I think my email is not getting through. You might want to check your spam filter to see if it’s been blocked.
Lemme know
Mike B