Sir, if you wish, send this video to a canoe magazine/ outdoor channel. You’ll be instantly hired. Best review of a canoe i’ve seen. Please review more canoes available to the american?
Thank you. I wish there really was a job out there where I could just review boats all day, unfortunately even if there was, I don't think I'd get the job. I'd love to do some more reviews, if there's any specific boat you'd be interested in, let me know and I'll see if I can track one down.
John W There are a few I’m interested in. In no particular order: Colden firefly, Colden nomad, Northstar firebird and Phoenix, Hemlock SRT and adirondack canoe company Boreas. I currently have an old Old Town Penobscot 16. One day i’ll move to a lighter boat. Probably one you reviewed. Keep up the good work. Thx.
@@yinshah3303 I think there are a couple of old bell flashfires and possibly a wildfire in the UK, and Northstar started importing over here last year, if I see any of them I'll ply their owners with alcohol and see if I can persuade them to let me have a go. Colden versions or Hemlock boats might be a struggle, I'm not aware of any being in the UK, although I could very easily be wrong, and will be waving whiskey under people's noses if I spot one.
I can lift it onto my car roof fairly easily too! Used mine for camping trips and it tracks very well loaded and unloaded, but does not spin on the spot very well and you do have to show it who is in charge to turn fast. Nice, secure paddle though, looking forward to getting it on moving water!
Almost purchased this boat, decided against it after watching this video, went with the Broadland 15HL after taking onboard some of your comments, cheers.
Thank you, and thank you for taking the time to upload your videos, I’ve really enjoyed listening to your advice and have definitely taken something from it.
Good video. I dont suppose you have tried out the Venture Afon as well? I'm after a small-ish canoe that will take 2 people at a push, but for most of the time its solo, Grade1/2 rivers with a bit of some canoe sailing. What would you go for? Cheers
Hi Richard, I paddled the Afon prototype the same day we shot this video, but fibreglass stays reasonably true to the mould while PE shrinks a shocking amount, so it wouldn't be fair to review the oversized prototype (and it was an ugly colour). I will say it's more of an option to look at if you just paddle grade 2-3 rivers. In Ray's videos, he paddles the Afon on rapids, but seems to prefer his old venture prospector for lakes and sailing. In production, all rounder, 1 1/2 person size boats, available in the UK without mortgaging your house... Venture Prospector 155 is a solid choice if a little bland to me, more a Pal than a Prospector (a little more lake than river boat). The Novacraft SP15 or Prospector 15 (I'm not convince by Tuffstuff for rocky grade 3, but should be fine with a little care on lakes and up to grade 2), lots of people love the Novacrafts, I found them a bit big, I can see the appeal of a more cocooned feel, it's just not my thing. I've not paddled one but I'm lead to believe the Hou Prospector is similar to the Novacraft. I really liked the Silverbirch Broadlands 15, and I see lots of them, so others must agree, I love the outfitting and the company are really active with new designs, the broadlands is a bit like a less exaggerated Wenonah P15, but available in a higher cut. I've always loved the Wenonah P15, a good general purpose boat, but full or character and an absolute joy to paddle, a lovely dance partner on a glassy pond with the sunset in the background, but they're very low cut, so not to everyone's taste. I've not paddled the new Esquif Prospecteur 15 but the 16 was nice, if a little big for me. And don't forget there are some lovely old royalex boats on the second hand market, just watch out for crushed, floppy bottoms. Personally I'd go with a Broadlands or Wenonah, but there isn't a bad option among the boats I mentioned, it's down to personal taste, paddling style and which one comes in a colour you like.
@@johnw1850 Thanks John for the reply. All very good points. I think I'll have to try out a few boats and see which ones I like. At least now i can narrow down the search a bit, which is great. I'm surprised how few canoe review videos there are on UA-cam. I think its old age, but I'm now more keen to support British companies, I'll have to look further into the difference between the Broadlands normal height and high line. I'm guessing the high line will keep me dryer, but will the additional height interfere with paddling strokes? I suppose I really need to try out a few boats and see which ones I like. Anyway thanks for the advice, and keep the videos coming they are really good. All the best Richard
Hello my friend. I hope you are well. I cannot believe it’s been 4 years. I blame Covid. Anyways, I just wanted to say hello, youtube reminded me. Cheers.
Hi Albert, thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I paddled a Minuet years ago, which I think is the same mould as the Hou 13. Fun little boat, loved the play I had and great for getting kids into solo paddling. Comparing it to something like the Firefly though, the design is showing it's age. The Firefly feels like a more serious, performance oriented canoe and I can't think of anything the minuet would do nearly as well. Unless you could pick one up super cheap, I'd go with the Firefly, and even if you were given one for free, I think you'd be paddling it, thinking about the Firefly.
@@johnw1850 thanks for getting back to me. I have both and I came to the conclusion that the Hou needs to be a foot longer, and the Firefly a little less rocker at the stern. Ha. We are never happy. 😂
Is there a HL version of this canoe? I looked at the SB website and couldn’t see any mention of one. Edit: I now see HL version being advertised for sale. 30mm extra depth will be noticeable.
Sir, if you wish, send this video to a canoe magazine/ outdoor channel. You’ll be instantly hired. Best review of a canoe i’ve seen. Please review more canoes available to the american?
Thank you. I wish there really was a job out there where I could just review boats all day, unfortunately even if there was, I don't think I'd get the job.
I'd love to do some more reviews, if there's any specific boat you'd be interested in, let me know and I'll see if I can track one down.
John W There are a few I’m interested in. In no particular order: Colden firefly, Colden nomad, Northstar firebird and Phoenix, Hemlock SRT and adirondack canoe company Boreas. I currently have an old Old Town Penobscot 16. One day i’ll move to a lighter boat. Probably one you reviewed. Keep up the good work. Thx.
@@yinshah3303 I think there are a couple of old bell flashfires and possibly a wildfire in the UK, and Northstar started importing over here last year, if I see any of them I'll ply their owners with alcohol and see if I can persuade them to let me have a go. Colden versions or Hemlock boats might be a struggle, I'm not aware of any being in the UK, although I could very easily be wrong, and will be waving whiskey under people's noses if I spot one.
John W Much obliged John. Happy hunting! I look forward to any and all you can find. Thanks.
I can lift it onto my car roof fairly easily too! Used mine for camping trips and it tracks very well loaded and unloaded, but does not spin on the spot very well and you do have to show it who is in charge to turn fast. Nice, secure paddle though, looking forward to getting it on moving water!
Nice review and paddling. Thanks.
Oh wow! nice bunch of canoeing video. Good stuff!
good review, thank you
Almost purchased this boat, decided against it after watching this video, went with the Broadland 15HL after taking onboard some of your comments, cheers.
I have new boat jealousy. Those Broadlands are a lovely boat. I wish you many happy paddles.
Thank you, and thank you for taking the time to upload your videos, I’ve really enjoyed listening to your advice and have definitely taken something from it.
Not sure if I was expecting more secondary stability but I feel my firefly wants to stay flat.
Good video. I dont suppose you have tried out the Venture Afon as well? I'm after a small-ish canoe that will take 2 people at a push, but for most of the time its solo, Grade1/2 rivers with a bit of some canoe sailing. What would you go for? Cheers
Hi Richard, I paddled the Afon prototype the same day we shot this video, but fibreglass stays reasonably true to the mould while PE shrinks a shocking amount, so it wouldn't be fair to review the oversized prototype (and it was an ugly colour). I will say it's more of an option to look at if you just paddle grade 2-3 rivers. In Ray's videos, he paddles the Afon on rapids, but seems to prefer his old venture prospector for lakes and sailing.
In production, all rounder, 1 1/2 person size boats, available in the UK without mortgaging your house... Venture Prospector 155 is a solid choice if a little bland to me, more a Pal than a Prospector (a little more lake than river boat). The Novacraft SP15 or Prospector 15 (I'm not convince by Tuffstuff for rocky grade 3, but should be fine with a little care on lakes and up to grade 2), lots of people love the Novacrafts, I found them a bit big, I can see the appeal of a more cocooned feel, it's just not my thing. I've not paddled one but I'm lead to believe the Hou Prospector is similar to the Novacraft. I really liked the Silverbirch Broadlands 15, and I see lots of them, so others must agree, I love the outfitting and the company are really active with new designs, the broadlands is a bit like a less exaggerated Wenonah P15, but available in a higher cut. I've always loved the Wenonah P15, a good general purpose boat, but full or character and an absolute joy to paddle, a lovely dance partner on a glassy pond with the sunset in the background, but they're very low cut, so not to everyone's taste. I've not paddled the new Esquif Prospecteur 15 but the 16 was nice, if a little big for me. And don't forget there are some lovely old royalex boats on the second hand market, just watch out for crushed, floppy bottoms.
Personally I'd go with a Broadlands or Wenonah, but there isn't a bad option among the boats I mentioned, it's down to personal taste, paddling style and which one comes in a colour you like.
@@johnw1850 Thanks John for the reply. All very good points. I think I'll have to try out a few boats and see which ones I like. At least now i can narrow down the search a bit, which is great. I'm surprised how few canoe review videos there are on UA-cam. I think its old age, but I'm now more keen to support British companies, I'll have to look further into the difference between the Broadlands normal height and high line. I'm guessing the high line will keep me dryer, but will the additional height interfere with paddling strokes? I suppose I really need to try out a few boats and see which ones I like. Anyway thanks for the advice, and keep the videos coming they are really good. All the best Richard
Hello my friend. I hope you are well. I cannot believe it’s been 4 years. I blame Covid. Anyways, I just wanted to say hello, youtube reminded me. Cheers.
Hi, John. Any chance of getting in contact with you for some help buying a canoe?
Hi John , a great review thank you. Have you ever paddled a Hou 13 ? I would love to hear your thoughts. Or better still, another vid. 😀🛶👍
Hi Albert, thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I paddled a Minuet years ago, which I think is the same mould as the Hou 13. Fun little boat, loved the play I had and great for getting kids into solo paddling. Comparing it to something like the Firefly though, the design is showing it's age. The Firefly feels like a more serious, performance oriented canoe and I can't think of anything the minuet would do nearly as well. Unless you could pick one up super cheap, I'd go with the Firefly, and even if you were given one for free, I think you'd be paddling it, thinking about the Firefly.
@@johnw1850 thanks for getting back to me. I have both and I came to the conclusion that the Hou needs to be a foot longer, and the Firefly a little less rocker at the stern. Ha. We are never happy. 😂
Did you get the chance to paddle the HL version of this? Do you think that would make it a drier ride?
Is there a HL version of this canoe? I looked at the SB website and couldn’t see any mention of one.
Edit: I now see HL version being advertised for sale. 30mm extra depth will be noticeable.
👍