I paddle my Rapidfire regularly, at least twice a day during the cooler parts of the day recently as I get ready for the 90 miler. I paddle it single blade as a trainer for later canoe racing when I will be in larger boats with one or more team members. I have paddled my RF on the 90 miler canoe race, and multiple times on the Cannonball-90 (the entire traditional 90 mile route all in a single day).
Although others have done so, I would not want to paddle my Hornbecks in any competitive race, much less the 90 miler. But as mentioned earlier, I did portage one a total of 65 miles on a 185 mile week long trip to Plattsburgh, much of it being the same familiar route as the 90 miler. A Hornbeck has also been with me on many bushwhack off trail treks visiting isolated remote Adirondack ponds. Being much shorter, it easily weaves in and out between closely spaced trees where I could never transport a heavier longer RF. Very different boats, very different purposes, very different results.
Interesting to see the non-race or non-speed perspective. I came on to this thread to look at the comparison and really only come from a tripping and poking about in the back country perspective… not so deep and far as the years pile on. Stability in waves on somewhat larger water matters some to me, weight matters a bit more every year, only a single blade thus far, not much interested in sitting on the floor and heeling over is a thing of the past. Had looked at some smaller boats boats by Dave Curtis and a skin builder near Toronto but nothing worked out when I was buying so I bought a smaller lighter, smaller tandem from my Souris River friends and had’em rig it for easier solo. Now I’m interested in just one more boat, again if I can get the move back north finished soon… Hornbeck or… other that can handle some bumps and a not small human. Thanks for your insight!
Check out the Swift line-up, though the value equation may suffer depending on how the tariff situation plays out with Canada. Can’t go wrong with PBW in terms of a quality build (at a price!). Not sure what the situation is now, but wait times have been long at times. In my experience Northstar offers a good price/value blend.
Wow. Those are seriously beautiful, high tech marvels! I can see why the comparable length model would be 2.5x the cost of my Hornbeck. Infusion construction, kevlar gunwales and seats make the PWB boats 25% lighter. I am developing a slight case of pack canoe envy.
Agree about PBW and Northstar. Adirondack Canoe Co is another interesting builder. Originally started by a 10 year veteran of Hornbeck , they were Chad Smith and partner’s own designs. Stiffer than Hbeck, with Kevlar interior, carbon exterior, some foam in the floor and gelcoat bottom. He sold to Essex Industries (quality canoe accessory producer) in Mineville, NY and helped them set up production. They changed the process from original hand layup to vacuum infusion though I haven’t seen the new ones. I have an older '14 Boreas along with a PBW which is certainly the superior boat with more sophisticated hull design. But Adirondack makes a pretty nice canoe.
Definitely. I so wanted to try an Adirondack Canoe Co boat (or two!) before I bought my Magic, but no longer lived in the Adks and couldn’t justify a multi-day road trip. One of these days…