SWIFT CANOE COMPANY As today’s canosists have grown more sophisticated, knowledgeable and competent, so has the need for boats t© keep pace with their needs and challenges. In 1984, we responded by introducing the Sawyer line of canoes from the U.S. As successful as these boats were, we could stil perceive a requirement for another type of canoe, a high performance canoe that was specifically attuned to the demands of wildemess tripping, Then, in 1988, we met John Winters, a retired boat designer and builder who had turned his talents to producing custom canoes and paddles on a parttime basis. As we talked, we realized that his design philosophy and ours closely coincided and we commissioned the design of our first prototype, the Kipawa By combining our staffs expertise, accumulated from over 30 years of canoe trip outfitting, with John’s naval architectural knowledge and extensive canoeing experience. we were able to produce a cance significantly improved over anything then available, This first boat had three outstanding characteristics. It was remarkably efficient, reaching and maintaining cruising speed with minimal effort. It was completely at home in the most extreme conditions, feeling safe, stable and under control at all times, In addition, its unique asymmetrical hull maneuvered well yet stil tracked better than many straight keeled hulls Despite our initial enthusiasm for the boat, we spent a year testing and fine tuning the design belore introducing the first Swift Canoe, in late 1989, to phenomenal response Shortly thereafter, we introduced two more models, the Quetico and Winisk. Almost from the beginning we were sold out, since the public recognized the superiority of these canoes. For the novice, they provide stability, ease of paddling and a secure feeling. For the expert, they provi speed, responsive performance and versatility Yy This success brought a new problem. Compared to our new boats, our Sawyer line was dated and no longer represented the leading edge of its type. To update this ine we turned to another renowned designer, David Yost. No other designer in North America has been so prolific or successful. While his philosophy and methods differ from John’s, the quelity and performance of his boats are every bit their equal. They are but another expression of the canoe designer's art. Today, our line continues to grow, always featuring exciting canoes that lead the industry in design innovation, There is, however, more to a canoe than design, and Swift Canoes are as beautiful as they are functional. As well, we have kept in mind that our roots are in the rental business and, therefore, we understand the value of durability. All of our canoes are offered in carefully engineered hull constructions to provide both minimal weight and a lifetime of carefree enjoyment. All are backed with a lifetime worranty and all represent the leading edge in canoe technology. Take time to visit a Swift dealer or our factory near ‘Algonquin Park and test paddle a Swift Canoe. We are confident our scientific approach to canoe design and traditionally exquisite Canadian craftsmanship will impress you, One word of caution; because we believe our cano: can only be properly represented by dealers who have « strong commitment to customer service and comprehensive knowledge of the sport, you may not find a Swift dealer in your immediate area, They, like our canoes, are the best in the business and, like the cream of any erop, they are worth, the search, WV 'AROWHON PINES: ALGONQUIN PARKDESIGNER BIOGRAPHIES John Winters John Winters has spent a lifetime in, on and around boats of all types. This love of boats led to a career as a boat builder for some of the most prestigious names in the industry. He has firsthand experience in every aspect ofthe industry from production to research and development and, of course, design In 1975, he emigrated to Canada and, like so many before him, fell in love with the country. He retired from yacht building in 1982 to build @ log home west of Algonquin Park, from which he could better explore this extraordinary country by canoe, Unable to find a canoe that satisfied his needs, he began designing and building canoes for himself and fiends. The success of these boats reinforced his belief that canoes could be further improved through the application of scientif principles, an approach almost completely ignored by recreational canoe designers. Today, he is a leader of a new wave of modern canoe designers using science and technology to improve every type of canoe from sprint racing to casual recreation David Yost David Yost, DY, may be the most versatile and prolific designer of human powered watercraft today. In pursuit of ‘what he calls “an out of hand hobby,” he has designed and built over 90 boats, ranging from a guide boat to surf skis ‘and from decked white-water canoes to sea kayaks. Most of his efforts, however, have been devoted to open canoes, where he has been a trend setter. David's philosophy, that canoes be adapted to the needs of people rather than have the people adapt to the canoe, has Ted to a devoted following, His canoes are much loved by ‘owners and widely imitated by other builders. David, however, never stands stil and is constantly expanding his experience and knowledge to the benefit of paddlers the world over. David's association with Swift Canoes is a natural one, dating to the years when Bill Swift would hang around his workshop watching the next generation of canoes develop. The line of canoes designed by David under the Swift name is a culmination of their years of working together to produce the very finest in recreational canoes. ) Why Two Designers? Paddlers come in an infinite variety with widely varied needs and skills. The dedicated paddler who sees paddling as primary recreation has far different needs from the more’ casual paddler. Meeting those needs is a daunting challenge which we believe is best met by having our designers concentrate on their own particular areas of greatest expertise. Where a Yost canoe is “user friendly” with a secure feel, high reserve volume and traditional appearance desired by so many paddlers, a Winters canoe offers speed and ‘maneuverability in'a modern package for paddlers who want to excel on the water. Our DY designed canoes are for paddlers of all experience levels who place great emphasis on the entire outdoor experience, while John's canoes appeal to the paddler who simply takes great joy in the feel of the canoe on the water. They are canoes to grow into, not out of However, there are similarities, Both designers place strong emphasis on providing high ultimate stability, straight tracking and manewerabilty without the need to heel the canoe over on its side. And, both designers have great respect for the paddlers intelligence, These are not canoes “vhich will bore you as your experience grows and you take yn greater challenges. Whichever Swift Canoe you purchase, you can be sure it is the very latest and best design technology available. What Makes Swift Canoes Different? Like other canoe builders, we had pondered why it was that some canoes stirred the imaginations and spirits of paddlers while others didn’t, Fortunately, we have been able to work with David Yost and John Winters, two designers who have combined their experience with the latest in digital design methods and database evaluation to produce canoes which are redefining the sport ‘These advanced methods enable each Swift Canoe to be designed to meet specific guidelines for capacity, performance and paddling style. For instance, by carefully weighing and analyzing the equipment weights used by trippers of all travelling styles, we are able to precisely define the displacement range for each canoe, whether for a far north expedition or a weekend outing. This contrasts with the rough “capacity” ratings commonly used throughout the ‘canoe industry. Also, by using information from the world’s leading tank testing facilities, our designers match your paddling power to the optimum hull shape, for efficient padding which gets you to your destination without undue fatigue. Their hull shapes track straight and true yet respond with agility to control strokes, both in flat and white water. Of course, they haven't ignored lessons from the past. By numerical analysis of traditional hull shapes, they have isolated the characteristics which provided that elusive “feel” which marked the best of traditional canoes and coupled them with modern shapes to produce canoe hybrids which have set new standards for performance.FINDING THE CANOE FOR YOU Choosing the best cance for your purposes, from the hundreds available, is a challenging task. Even the experts, disagree on what features are best for a given purpose, 30 you can be forgiven if you are confused To help you make an informed choice, the following explanation of how canoe performance is affected by hull shape has been written by our designers. It will provide you with enough basic information to help you evaluate the merits of different canoes in an objective manner. If you are interested in the more technical aspects of canoe design, we recommend that you read the articles published in Canoesport Journal Volume 2, numbers 2, 3 and 4, written by John Winters Factors Affecting Performance After thousands of years of development, one might expect all ‘canoes to be very much alike yet, today, there is more variation than ever before. This bewildering array Is the result ‘of differing paddler needs, the infinite variety of conditions and the complexity of hydrodynamics. Every canoe is a ‘compromise between conflicting requirements; characteristics which improve stability may reduce paddling efficiency just as those that improve maneuverability might be detrimental to tracking. Obviously, we can’t have everything in one package and no designer has yet achieved the universally perfect canoe. Keep in mind that this is a very general guide and far from all inclusive, So, avail yourself of the services of experienced paddlers and salespeople. More often than not, they can fill in the gaps and provide the additional details you need. Length Length is measured at two points; atthe waterline and overall OF the two, the waterine length is the more important, since it affects both paddling ease and, to a lesser degree, the load carrying ability. It is commonly believed that longer canoes are both faster and easier to paddle than short ones but this isnot always the case because longer canoes have greater wetted surface and surface friction. As friction accounts for over 8056 of all resistance at cruising speeds, the longer canoe will be harder to paddle at those speeds than a shorter canoe. Only at top speeds or when heavily laden does extra length become an advantage Al canoes have an ideal cruising speed, which depends upon the bull shape and length, and the important thing to remember is that you cannot get something for nothing. Long ‘canoes are only faster if you are strong enough to push them and you must choose the length of your canoe based upon the pace that you paddle. Beam (Width) ‘The fomiiar meosurernent of beam isthe 4” watertine but far more valuable measurements are the actual waterline beam (when the canoe is loaded) and the maximum beam. A waterline beam in excess of 18% of the length (34.5" for a 16" Canoe) usually means a slower but more stable canoe. A beam Sf less than 149% (27° fora 16' cana) indicates a fast but tippy boat, The maximum beam is rough indicator of lia Sty av the wer lve to the water), he mot) secur the eae il fe Underwater Profile Both tracking and maneuverability are influenced by the ccanoe’s profile. Increased maneuverability is associated with rocker and good tracking is associated with straight keel lines. Traditionally, profiles were symmetrical but, more recently, the application of modern principles has led to boats with rocker forward and straight keels aft, Such canoes can be turned casily using draw and pry strokes in the bow while the straight keel aft porvides good tracking. A fringe benefit of these new shapes is that control in large waves and whitewater is also improved, Waterline Shape “The designer's art has ils most varied expression in waterline shapes. Over 100 years of testing and study at leading esearch and university faites has taught us which shapes are most efficent. Substantial variation from these usually produces substandard performance. For recreational canoes, a waterline which is slightly hollow (concave) in the bow and arexlually incteases smoothly to 0 maximum beam just aft of center. If the bow is too fine and increases abruptly to full sections, the hull will be slow and adversely affected by waves. Conversely, full (convex) waterlines will pound and be pushed off course by the wind. Somewhere between the two extremen\ les the ideal. The guiding principle is that water doesn’t lik to be moved abruptly and any change in hull shape should be gradual Section Shape Like watelines, sections come in an infinite varily. Typically, they are called flat, "V" and arched, with some canoes combining all three types inthe same bul There are no hard and fast rules about which is best but research shows thal a combination of “U" shaped sections forward, arched sections PAM AND JORN WINTERSAY, he middle and V" sections aft produces the best formance in asymmetrical hulls, while slightly “V" shaped sections at the ends and arched midsections are best for symmetrical hulls Above Water Shape Hulls con have flare, tumblehome or any combination or degree of the two. Tumblehome, when located at the paddling position, improves paddling efficiency at some cost to seaworthiness. Flare improves seaworthiness and produces a drier tide at a cost to paddling efficiency. If speed or paddling ‘ease is your priority, by all means go for tumblehome {particularly in solo canoes). If keeping dry is your goal, you will be happier with a flared hull The profile of the bow and stern has its greatest Impact on seaworthiness, particularly in large waves. The traditional recurved bow, while aesthetically attractive, lacks reserve buoyancy as does the plumb (vertical) bow seen on many ‘modem canoes. Bows which are raked forward or have gentle curvature above the waterline provide the needed buoyancy ‘and, when carefuily designed, are extremely attractive. Stability ‘The most important aspect of stability is neither the ultimate nor the initial stability but how the two work together to provide the “feel” of the boat. Ideally, there should be a gradual impression of greater resistance to capsize as the hanoe is heeled, This feeling is most often associated with arched bottoms and flared sides. Flat-bottomed canoes may feel good intially but grow tippy as they are leaned. Stil if you require a solid stable platform for bunting, fishing or photography, a cance with a wide, flat bottom may be best suited to your needs Freeboard The more common term is depth, which is the distance from. the sheerline (gunwale} to the bottom, but the critical measurement is how much cance is above the water when itis loaded. This is called freeboard. Too much freeboard and the cance will be blown around in the wind. Too litle and it wall be wel, Tandem canoes should have at least 7-8” of freeboard while solo boats can get by with 6-7”. Depth at the ends will normally be a tenth of the lenath, although itis permissible to bbe somewhat less in the stern, What is not indicated by these measurements is the shape of the sheer (gunwale line) which, because waves come aboard about 2-3 feet aft of the bow, should be a smooth, gentle sweep rather than an abrupt curve toward the ends, Having said all this, it is worth pointing out that there are exceptions to every rule. The science of canoe design is only valid when it is coupled with the art and the only sure test of a canoe is to paddle it EXAMPLEOF AN ASYMMETRICAL HULL SHAPE KPAWA Se aes KIPAWA,THE ART AND SCIENCE OF CANOE DESIGN By John Winters Every canoe begins with a rough concept, often arising from nothing more than a casual conversation about how to improve an existing hull. As the idea grows, vital details are added to define the canoe’s purpose, such as how much load will be carried, if it will be used in white water, what materials will be used, the desired cruising speed and many, many more specific requirements. Some of these requirements will conflict and this makes the process of balancing one against the other a subtle art, which must be done properly if the canoe is to perform satisfactorily. To give you an idea of how the process works, let's go through a typical design process. From an initial discussion with the people at Swift Canoes, a list of priorities and requirements for the proposed new canoe are developed, Such a list might look like this one, calling for a canoe that will be: 1, Designed primarily for flat water paddling Suitable for up to Grade Ill whitewater Cary between 360 and 510 pounds, Used primarily in Canadian Shield country or similar canoeing areas, 2, 3. Cruise at five to six kilometers per hour. 4, 5, 6. Used by experienced as well as novice paddlers. 7. Bull from Kevlar or fiberglass, ‘The performance priorities might be set in this order of importance: 1, Seaworthiness and safety 2, Paddling ease. 3. Stability 4. Tracking ability 5, Maneuverabiity Because there is always more than one approach to a problem, two or more preliminary designs may be produced and the merits of each debated, shapes modified and priorities reorganized. This is not an easy process. Many canoe characteristics defy quantifying and the builder must have confidence that the designer understands what he is talking about, while the designer must be equally confident that the builder really knows what he wants! Eventually, an agreement is reached and a cedar strip prototype built. David Yost and | prefer building the prototypes and pattems for molds ourselves. It isn't that no one else can be irusted, it's just that one can belter see how the shape is developing, and it doesn’t hurt that building a canoe is the most enjoyable part of the design process either, Meanwhile, there is continuing input from Swift Cano()) personnel regarding trim, construction and materials details ‘There is generally an undercurrent of apprehension at the launching of a prototype. Will the boat live up to expectations? Will it look as nice in the water as it did in a drawing? Dozens of people with varied skills will padlle the prototype under every conceivable condition and their comments, impressions and criticisms will be collected and analyzed. Nothing is too small for attention, whether it's an, adjustment to the beam or rocker, or a subtle change in, shape to correct a peculiarity in the wave pattern. For the designer, this is a humbling experience and it is much like being told your child misbehaves in school. Nevertheless, it must be done because, once the molds are made, the ‘errors are permanent. Eventually, agreement on the final shape 1s reached. Is this, method successful? We think so but you are the true judge. Try a Swift Canoe and let us know what you think, KIPAWATHE RIGHT CANOE ¢ jw Because no two paddlers have exactly the same needs and aspirations, we offer fifteen distinctly different Swift ‘models within a variety of construction and trim options. To help you navigate the selection process, we have created this step by step guide to help you arrange your priorities and lead you to the cance that will provide years of enjoyinent. Step 1 Decide how you will use the canoe. Solo? Tandem? A combination of both? While no solo canoe is really good when paddled tandem, some tandem boats are reasonable for limited solo paddling. However no tandem canoe will outperform a dedicated solo boat for solo paddling Circle your preference: Solo Tandem Combination Step 2 Estimate how much flat or white water you intend to paddle. ‘This is qualitative as well as quantitative, Almost any canoe will run easy Grade 2 all day long but it takes a true whitewater boat to meet the challenge of Grade 3 and up. A rough percentage system with 0% for absolutely no ‘pphite water to 100% for fulltime white-water paddling will (alo nicely Note your preference here Step 3 List the types of canoeing you will be doing most; i.e: wilderness tripping, cottage use, weekend tripping day padding, etc Note the types here _ Step 4 Arrange the following canoe characteristics in order of importance to you. Aesthetics 1.___ Speed ie Controllabilty....2 Stability 8, Durability Weight. Bye Maintenance.....4.__ Whitewater Ability...10,__ Price 5. Other. 1 Seaworthiness....6. Q Step 5 ‘Add up the typical weights you will be carrying when you paddle. If you aren't sure how much your gear weighs, the chart may help, Note that these are averages and you may want to add or subtract pounds depending upon what is average for you! Paddler weights) Gear weight Total ee Typical Gear Weights Solo Tandem Day Tripping 13 Ibs, 18 lbs, Weekend Tripping 62 lbs, 100 Ibs. One Week Tripping 85 lbs. 145 Ibs. Two Week Tripping «100 tbs. 174 Ibs. Expeditions 148 tbs. 257 Ibs. Now, with your priorities and requirements defined, you are ready to pick the canoe(s) that most nearly satisfy your needs. The next step is a test paddle Happy canoe hunting! co ‘A KNOWLEDGEABLE SALESPERSON CAN GREATLY ASSIST IN YOUR,| MODERN TRIPPING CANOES ‘The lightweight, nimble, easy paddling MODERN TRIPPING CANOE DIMENSIONS sixteen foot canoe is the standard - : QUETICO —-KIPAWA_——DUMOINE Canadian tripper but all sixteens, like ‘Giealabi ig Teer ioe all paddlers, are not created equal Wotetiine Leng 158 fe Geos Today's paddlers possesses diverse, Gunwale Width 35" 37" highly developed skills and demands an Waterline Width 32° 325° 33.5" outstanding level of versatility and Bow Height ar ai" 23° performance from his canoe; demands Center Depth 14" 14" 15" that are best met by a modern Stern Height 195 19" 20" asymmetrical hull. Our Kipawa, Bow Rocker 17s" 3.5) 4.25" Dumoine and Quetico have been Stern Rocker 1 a 25° Hull Shape ‘Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Asymmetrical cry deaaed wih he meen, | MS Sarma Sool oom needs within this size range. Each WEIGHTS | canoe, however, has an individuality that sets it apart from the others and from the common run of canoes. ‘Swiftech 60 bs. 60 Ibs. 6 ts. ‘Superlight Keviar 50 Ibs. 50 Ibs 56 ls. Ultralight Kevlar 46 Is 46 ts. 52 Is, 3s quetico Improve the Quetico? Impossible! That's what we thought until we DESIGNER'S COMMENTS Designer - John Winters paddled John Winters’ latest version. “Amazed” hardly describes our “ i tico was a tough act to fol pete sch We ble wr ez: hey dace 2 he rnd Quon o igh x foe) original but more stability, maneuverability and load capacity. How correlating user comments and criticisms with did he do it? He won't even tell us but you don't have to know “how” our hull shape data base, we were able to to appreciate what the Quetico does. More than ever, the Quetico is quantify the characteristics most desired by vyour best choice for a multi-purpose canoe for day paddling, weekend paddlers and adjust the hull shape accordingly. trips or short wiklerness adventures. The result is a remarkably versatile and ‘user ‘Add a kneeling thwart for solo paddling and knee pads for whitewater friendly’ canoe but, most important to me, it is and there is virtually nothing you can't do with your Quetico, still fun to paddle and lovely to look at.”a DUMOINE. The Dumoine is a more maneuverable stable hull which serves dual duty as both a moving water and flat water tripper with bias toward the more challenging conditions. Despite its volume and maneuverability, it still accords itself well on lakes and we have numerous testimonials to the extraordinary abilities of this canoe. Don't let the Dumoine’s forgiving nature lead you into believing that it is an entry level canoe. Like all our high performance models, the Dumoine is a canoe you can “grow into” rather than (()j3r2" out of”. Your improving (Qyitts and demands will aways find a willing partner in the Dumoine. Designer - John Winters ‘The first Swift design, the Kipawa was the forerunner of a new breed of fast, seaworthy and maneuverable tripping canoes designed to meet the modern tripper's needs. She offers rewarding performance to experienced paddlers yet provides a secure big boat feeling for noviees, ‘The Kipawa is designed to carry between 360 and 510 pounds when tripping but can be a teal blast when loaded lightly for day paddling or whitewater. For a real treat, paddle one KIPAWA solo with a kneeling thwart. DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “Each time I paddle the Kipawa I am impressed with how well it does so many different things but what really excites me Is how quiet and responsive it is underway, My wife is the first to admit that she isn’t a strong paddler yet we have no trouble keeping up with stronger paddlers even at our sedate thirty strokes per minute.” KIPAWA, Designer - John Winters DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “In either Rovalex, Swiftech or Kevlar the Dumoine ts one heck of machine. If you consider every rapid a personal challenge, by all means buy a Royalex Dumoine but if you don't mind walking past the really challenging drops or find ‘most of your routes require long portages, then the Swiftech or Kevlar version is the right boat. The on-the-water performance is the same (maybe a little better in the lighter boat) but there Is simply no comparison when the boat is on your DUMONE -9-FAMILY AND TRIPPING CANOES Our family business, Algonquin Outfitters, has been serving wilderness tripping families for over thirty years and what we have learned about their requirements is reflected in the design of our larger tripping canoes. Ample freeboard and stability have been provided for comfortable travel with children and pets, yet, these boats stil reward the most skilled paddlers with exceptional performance. Like you, each Swit canoe is an individual with a distinct identity and purpose to fit you and your paddling style in a way that “do everything” boats can never hope to achieve 3g KEEWAYDIN ALGONQUIN OUTFITTERS MANAGERS FGCH & SUE SWIFT WITH DAUGHTER JESSICA KEEWAYDIN -10- Designer - David Yost Because so many modern canoes are performance oriented, some families are reluctant to embrace canoeing, fearing that the narrow, tippy canoes will discourage or frighten their children (as well as the adults!). Time and time again we have heard our rental customers ask for a larger cance that was suitable for their young families but was not a clunky tub. The Keewaydin is our response to that need. Like its smaller sister, the Algonquin, the Keewaydin has its roots in the ppast but its soul is definitely in the present. The phrase, “go gently in the wilderness” seems particularly appropriate to the Keewaudin for its, above all, a gentle, well-mannered canoe that will allow you and your family to concentrate on enjoying the wilderness experience without the distractions of a skittish canoe. DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “The Keewaydin was designed to fill the gap between ‘high performance’ and the, ‘entry level’ canoes. | felt that, while the performance canoes were alright for the qung-ho crowd, they didn't meet the needs of the average small family who would expect more from their boat than they could get from a cance targeted for beginners. What was needed, I thought, was thi ‘same capacity and seaworthiness but in a hull shape more suitable for lake travel.¢ nf FAMILY & TRIPPING CANOE DIMENSIONS KEEWAYDIN Overall Length 17 Waterline Length 168" Gunwale Width 36" Waterline Width 32.5" Bow Height 21" Center Depth 14 Stern Height 21 Bow Rocker a Stern Rocker 1 Hull Shape ‘Symmetrical Optimum Capacity 430-590 Is. WEIGHTS Suitech 66 lbs. Supetlight Kevlar 54 Ibs. Ultalight Kevlar 50 Ibs. 3g WINISK Ohor canadians, the two-week wiklemess vacation in a canoe is a tradition, But padding info remote wildemess is not @ job for the timid nor for hall-hearted Compromise canoes. For this you need a serious tipping canoe that can carry Up to 570 pounds and still be fast and maneuverable. For this you need a Winisk Experienced trippers appreciate speed but not the kind that requires hard work. They want a canoe that can cruise at better than six to seven kilometers per hour at normal paddling rates but still have more speed in reserve for emergencies. They also want the seaworthiness provided by the full Ienath flare for big lakes like Superior. Like its smaller sister, the Kipiwa, the Winisk is a. true multi-purpose canoe. For families wit children or those who prefer the security and stability ofa larger canoe the Winisk isthe logical choice, It has @ sale and secure feeling essential for QQhriopina with children, yet rewards the enthusiastic paddler” with a rare combination of beauty and performance, WINISK 176 17 26" 33) 22) 10" 19 m4 r ‘Asymmetrical 410-570 bbs, 66 Ibs. 5 Ibs. 50 bs. Wai Designer - John Winters DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “Every designer has a favorite canoe. For me it’s the Winisk. I weigh in at 200 pounds, as do my usual partners, so a larger canoe is essential. At the same time, we like 10 travel fast and the Winisk's length, shape and narrow beam provide plenty of speed even when we are loafing along, This canoe reflects what I consider to be an ideal mix of speed, stability and maneuverability in a big-water tripping canoe.” WINK neFAMILY AND EXPEDITION CANOES Family and expedition Canoes are designed for canoeists who require extra volume for passengers and/or gear. They are suitable for larger families and for those who travel with larger loads on extended wilderness trips. These canoes travel efficiently in the water and their larger volume allows canoeists to travel in even some of the most extreme conditions. While these canoes are most popular with families, they are also regarded as two of the finest expedition tripping canoes for skilled paddlers. 2s ALBANY. Our Swiftech and Kevlar Albany is a lightweight, high volume canoe for long-distance trippers who will be travelling where portaging is the rule rather than the exception Designed for challenging wilderness conditions, the Albany blends moving water capability with superb flat water performance. A second cousin to the Winisk, the Albany has a sleek, asymmetrical hull with modest rocker forward ane aft and well‘lared topsides that will see you through every challenge Don’t let our enthusiasm for the Albany's performance lead you to beliove that this is a boat for experts only. Many of our customers buy Albanys for day ‘rips with the family and even cottage use, where its excellent stability reassures even first- time paddlers. ALBANY Overall Length 176" Waterline Length 17 Gunwale Width Waterline Width Bow Height Center Depth Stern Height Bow Rocker Stern Rocker Hull Shape Asymmetrical Optimum Capacity 460-635 ls. WEIGHTS Suaiftech 70 Ibs. Superlight Kevlar 60 Ibs. Ultralight Keviar 56 Ibs. DESIGNER'S COMMENTS FAMILY & EXPEDITION CANOE DIMENSIONS: Designer - John Winter ‘TEMAGAMI 186" 182" 36.5" 32.5) 20" 14° 18.5 r r ‘Asymmetrical 500-660 lbs. 70 Ibs. 60 Ibs. 56 Ibs. “Despite the durability and ruggedness of Royalex J have always been partial to lighter weight (a concession to my age), which is why I prefer the Kevlar version of the Albany to its more popular Royalex sister. In either construction it is a fine canoe but, as you edge past fifty, every extra pound feels like two.” -22- “ALBANY) aa TEMAGAMI Designer - David Yost For many years, one of our more popular Sawyer canoes was the 222. At 186" in length, it was fast, seaworthy and stable, earning it considerable respect among paddlers. So many of our past customers asked when we would build something like the 222 that we broke down and did it. Our modified version improves on the original's stability and dry ride while retaining the paddling ease that made the 222 one of the most coveted canoes in North America. The Temagami is a true “maxi” canoe, ideal for large families, heavy-weight trippers and people who just like the security of a big boat. Like all DY canoes, this one is as beautiful to look at as itis a pleasure to paddle TTEMAGAMI -B-CLASSIC CANOES For decades the stable, user-friendly wood/canvas canoes built by Chestnut or Peterborough were the standard by which all recreational canoes were judged. Today their availability is largely limited to reproductions, lovingly built by craftsmen working out of small one for two-man shops. Like so many paddlers, we mourned their passing and often wondered if it was possible to merge traditional feel and beauty with modern design and technology. We think the answer is a resounding yes. In our Otter, Algonquin and Outfitter canoes you will find all the stability, and user-friendly characterstes of the vary best classic canoes in a clean traditional package. ‘The secure feel and stability of these canoes makes them ideal for photographers, cottagers and fisherman and yet they stil respond with spirit to every stroke. Where ‘most copies of traditional canoes seem to lose what was best in the old ‘without taking advantage of what is Overall Length Waterline Length Gunwale Width Waterline Width Bow Height Center Depth Stern Height Bow Rocker Stern Rocker Hull Shape Suiltech ‘Superlight Kevlar Ultralight Kevlar CLASSIC CANOE DIMENSIONS OTTER ALGONQUIN OUTFITTER OUTFITTER 15° 148" 35° 32" 19" 125 19" 1st 1 ‘Symmetrical 1.25 ‘Syrnmettical ‘Optimum Capacity 200-400 lbs. 350-550 Ibs. WEIGHTS 50 Ibs. 60 Ibs. 44 Ibs. 50 Ibs 40 Ibs. 46 Ibs. 15) ‘Symmettical 330-530 Ibs, ‘Syrmmetvical 380-580 Ibs. best in the new, David Yost has succeeded in creating true hybrid a OTTER During the early half of this century, the canoe ‘most often associated with our happiest times at the summer cottage was a small, agile, stable craft that seemed to do everything well. Whether we paddled solo across the lake to visit friends or tandem on short adventures, it always got us there and back without causing any parental concern. Strangely enough, we hever outgrew the canoe and continued to derive enjoyment from it long after we became ‘grown-ups”. Most of these fine canoes are now a thing of the past but we have brought them back in the Swift Otter, ‘The Otter is the distillation of everything that is fun in a canoe. Children can learn paddling slills independently, safely and enjoyably in an Otter while adults will find the Otter perfect for the kind of relaxing paddling that clears the city’s dust from the mind. And, for the parent who wants to get away for a weekend with a son or daughter, the Otter can't be beaten. Designer - David Yost DESIGNER’S COMMENTS “There is something magic about the small, lightweight canoe that is ready at the drop of a hint for a paddle and that's what I wanted the Otter to be; a cance you would want to paddle because it was fun, not because you had someplace to go.” Orne. Ate© 3a ALGONQUIN For many paddlers, there is simply no substitute for the feel of the traditional symmetrical canoe but that doesn't mean cance design is locked! in the past. Unlike clones of ld canoes, the Swift Algonquin is a hybrid encompassing the latest in hull shapes with classic appearance. Its stability under widely varied load conditions, predictable ‘motion and ease of paddling set the Algonquin apart from ‘outmoded designs intended for a pair of butly prospectors with a ton of gear Alter paddling the Algonquin, we think you will agree that David Yost has produced another classic. Beautiful to look at, stable and comfortable, the Algonquin embodies all the finest traits of traditional canoes updated to suit your modem needs. . Ge ’ 2s OUTFITTER 15 & 16 For years the casual paddler has been treated like a second class citizen, Seemingly reluctant to put Designer - David Yost DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “The Swift Algonquin evolved from a canoe | designed for my wife, Susan, and myself back in 1984. We wanted a small, quick, easy-to-portage canoe suitable for lightweight weekend to week Jong travel in the lake regions. To provide the increased volume needed for travel in Algonquin Park, I increased the width, depth and length. Then to improve its stability and comfort, 1 flattened the bottom and reshaped the hull around the paddling stations. Finally, since I like to have fun, 1 reshaped the bilges and added a touch of rocker so it would respond better to classic style paddling Susan and I took one of the first production boats on a trip into the park and on the way out, Susan conceded that I hadn't messed up and that ours would be Sand with dark gunwales.” ALGONQUIN Designer - David Yost DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “Some people might say that designing a canoe for the casual paddler is the any effort into designing and building high quality canoes for anyone who wasn't an enthusiastic tripper, manufacturers have pawned off amateurish designs with poor aesthetics and sluggish performance. Well, not any longer. Our Outfitter series changes all that. The Outfitters provide superb stability and security in canoes that look and feel like they were meant to be padiled. Besides, who knows, you jay want to do a little tripping QBorrseit some day and you shouldn't have to buy a new boat todo it, easiest of design jobs but I disagree. The casual paddler may not use his canoe as much as the enthusiast but he knows what looks and feels right and putting good performance into a user-friendly package is by far the more difficult job.” OUTTTER,RIVER TRIPPING & WHITEWATER CANOES Don't let the term “whitewater tripping” scare you. These canoes are perhaps the most versatile of all They are equally at home just messing around on local lakes as they are on the most challenging rivers of the north. Expedition proven, they handle whitewater as well as any dedicated whitewater canoe and will put all but the largest and fastest flat water boats to shame when the going gets tough on the big lakes. Sized to carry the gear necessary for extended wilderness travel, they are equally at home with children aboard. a DUMOINE. ROYALEX CANOE DIMENSIONS Overall Length Waterline Length Gunwale Width Waterline Width Bow Height Center Depth Stern Height Bow Rocker Stern Rocker Hull Shape Optimum Capacity Royalex with Vinyl Trim 72 Ibs. 72 Ibs. 78 lbs. Royalex with Wood Trim 70 Ibs. 70 Ibs. 76 lbs. -16- DUMOINE MADAWASKA ALBANY 164" 164" 172" 16 1510 37 37 33.5" 33.5 23 15.5 23 45 3 3 15 Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Asymmetrical 340-530 Ibs. 300510 Ibs. 460-635 lbs. WEIGHTS (Approximate) Designer - John Winters With the Dumoine, we set out to do something that had not been done before - to design a Royalex canor) that would excel in both flat and whitewater. A canoe that could handle a weekend's whitewater play with the best of them yet still be easy to paddle when loaded for a week of camping, Stable, predictable and maneuverable, the Dumoine responds like a dedicated whitewater boat, and on flat water its unique asymmetric shape provides tracking, lide and acceleration that many pure flat water boats would envy. If you can only own one canoe and you insist on top performance in both flat and whitewater, then the Dumoine is the boat for you. Unlike the Kipawa which is a flat water canoe that performs well in whitewater, the Dumoine is a whitewater canoe that performs well in flat water. Sound to good to be true? Don't take our word for it. Try one out. The Dumoine is what versatility really means! DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “How I wish the Dumoine had been around back in the days when I had neither room nor money for more than one canoe. The Dumoine handles like a dedicated whitewater boat andl yet won't embarrass you on the big lakes with the flat water canoes. Sh is durable, maneuverable, easy to paddle, fun anc) / tracks well, And, that's a lot to get in one package.2a MADAWASKA For years whitewater canoes have been divided into two groups; high performance boats suitable only for highly skilled paddlers and detuned beginners’ boats that offered plenty of stability but no performance. All that is behind us now with the advent of the Madawaska. Stable, fast and highly maneuverable, the Madawaska rewards the proficient paddler with unequalled responsiveness and yet the novice feels perfectly at home in the most turbulent conditions. In fact, the very characteristics that appeal to the skilled canoelsts open new vistas to the neophyte. Missed your line? The Madawaska’s acceleration can be used to blast into the eddy even from the wrong position. Waves bigger and more confused than you thought? The Madawaska floats through with none of the violent motion so common in flat-bottomed canoes. Until you have paddled a Madawaska, you just don’t know how good a paddler you can be. DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “Some designs just feel right, even in the early design stages. As the Macawaska took shape on the computer screen, I had the strong feeling that there was something ‘right’ about its shape. That feeling was confirmed the first time I paddled it. From the outset, it seemed like there was nothing the boat couldn't do and I soon found myself playing in rapids that had previously been run with trepidation,” Q 2s ALBANY. The Albany is a true expedition canoe. Designed for wilderness conditions in the far north, it has all the capacity, seaworthiness and whitewater capability you require plus something extra - ease of paddling on flat water. No other canoe integrates such a perfect balance of —_ performance characteristics whitewater capabilites. Of course, if you have neither the time nor the dream of a far northem trip, the Albany still has much to offer. It is an excellent choice for every kind of paddling from local whitewater rivers to offshore coastal waters. Whether it is filled with kids et 2 229 fun or with a week's lamping gear, the Albany can get you there safely, comfortably and ‘with surprising ease. “17- Designer - John Winters | MADAWAS! Designer - John Winters DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “Ninety percent of all expedition paddling is done on flat water and yet few canoes have ever been designed to maximize flat water performance. Our goal with the Albany was to correct that deficiency without sacrificing The best way to appreciate this boat is to paddle any other Royalex canoe cand then try the Albany. J think you will be truly and pleasantly surprised.SOLO CANOES For our entty into the solo market, we asked our designers to create canoes for the rigorous and varied demands of the Canadian Shield country, yet with unique characteristics to suit the special needs of individual paddlers, For flat water paddlers, David Yost has designed the Loon and Heron. Fastest when paddled in the “sit & switch” style, traditional paddlers will stil find the miles slipping by with ease. For the paddler who relishes the challenge of whitewater, John Winters has produced a canoe uniquely suited to the diverse requirements of river tripping. Fast, maneuverable and seaworthy, the Osprey is the first Canadian “all-purpose” solo canoe. We think these are the finest tripping solos available but don't take our word for it. Try them out and see for yourself how David's and John's years of experience can pay off for you. 3a OSPREY. The Osprey is the canoe for serious solo trippers. It's for serious paddlers who prefer the less travelled routes with challenging rivers and lakes Serious paddlers need a versalile canoe to match their skills and ambitions. The Osprey draws on the lessons learned from our highly acclaimed Dumoine and introduces paddling ease, flat water excellence and whitewater superiority to the solo tripping canoe. Through skillful manipulation of the shape, the Osprey’s heavily rockered, asymmetrical hull provides exceptional maneuverability yet remarkable tracking, while its high Prismatic Coefficient assures fost travelling. The uniquely sculpted, flared hull keeps water out yet permits proper strokes and easy paddling, Here is the surprise: the same canoe which draws acclaim from experienced paddlers is perfect for novices. Its stability, predictable nature and responsiveness breeds confidence and ‘encourages the beginner to improve shill DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “I designed the Osprey for my oun use with no thought of it becoming a production model. It satisfied my needs but I wondered how many paddlers shared the same objectives. Nevertheless, paddler after paddler asked when we would put it in production. Finally, we took the hint and produced a slightly modified, more user-friendly version of the original, HERON 15 Asymmetrical 150-260 Ibs. 46 Ibs. 40 Ibs. 37 Ibs. SOLO CANOE DIMENSIONS ) OSPREY LOON Overall Length 15 1444 Waterline Length 1444 14 ‘Gunwale Width 26" 25" Maxirnum Width 30 28" Waterline Width 21 26" Bow Height 18" a7" Center Depth 12 12" Stern Height 155° 145" Bow Rocker 15 a Stern Rocker Y a Hull Shape ‘Asymmetrical Asymmetrical Optimum Capacity 150-260 Ibs, 120-220 Ibs. WEIGHTS Swillech 50 Ibs 44s Superlight Kevlar 44 Ibs, 38 Ibs Ultralight Kevlar 40 ls. 35 ls, Designer - John Winters » I'm willing to bet that this boat will turn a lot of tandem paddlers into dedicated soloists." SWIFT CANOE FOUNDER, YOUNGER HLL SWIFT -18- OSPREYa LOON & HERON Designer - David Yost No other designer has had a greater impact on solo canoeing than David Yost. With the Loon, he has drawn together his many years of experience to create the definitive solo touring canoe. Quick, lively and graceful, the Loon has enough volume for most touring needs yet is still a pleasure to paddle lightly loaded. The hull is well flared forward for a dry ride but has David's intelligently designed tumblehome midships to make paddling more comfortable and efficient. ‘The Heron is the bigger brother to the Loon, It has all the same performance characteristics and feel but has additional volume to permit longer trips or to cary heavier peddlers, DESIGNER'S COMMENTS “When I started designing the Loon and the Heron, I had in mind a different type of canoe and, in fact, the first prototype | started was ‘asymmetrical, shouldered and fairly ‘techie.’ As yiormal for me when I build canoes, I daydream icin laces’ to.96 anid trise to take in the ree canoe. Then { discovered that the canoe In my dreams ond the conoe I woe working on were not the same, so | started over and built a pair of much simpler and more traditional canoes. | am much happier and I think you will be too.” HERON LOW & HERON -19-RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Imagine a canoe being dragged across a portage loaded with gear or in a canoe “demolition derby” where the last canoe afloat wins. Imagine a canoe crunching a rock head (on at cruising speed, not once, but countless times over the course of a year. Imagine the wear and tear on a canoe used as much as 100 days during the year, every year. for up to five years! That's the kind of use our rental canoes get and that is where we test Swift Canoes. No laboratory and no weekend paddle by experts will ever supply the kind of information that rental use provides. Paddlers of all skill levels and intents use and abuse our canoes, reporting to us their opinions and impressions. Over the years, we have tried virtually every type of canoe from cedar/canvas to the most modern composites and we Use this information to design and engineer our hulls. If it doesn't last or if the customers don't lke the way it paddles then it doesn't last with us. One important lesson we have learned and put into use is that you cannot leave Kevlar or glass laminates unprotected from sunlight. So, all of our canoes have a gel coat finish inside and out to prevent ultra-violet degradation, We also learned that the most durable Kevlar laminates were those which were stiff enough not to flex under normal loads but ‘would flex on impact. Cross ribs, stiffeners and conventional core materials just didn’t make the grade. And so, the laminates we have developed are the most durable in )) industry because we - and you - can't afford anything less. Of course, strength is not the only consideration. A canoe is a portable watercraft and portable means light weight. The search for the ideal canoe building material has led us to our latest development - SWIFTECH. Developed by our designer/engineer, John Winters, SWIFTECH is a revolutionary approach to canoe building materials, providing us with unequaled design freedom. Encompassing all the advantages of our normal laminates yet with an improved weight to stiffness ratio, SWIFTECH is paving the way towards new and exciting structural advances. Different amounts of SWIFTECH are used in each of our laminates, Even trim systems receive the closest scrutiny. Aluminum trimmed canoes, which looked as though they had been built by plumbers, have been replaced by a novel new aluminum trim system, which is attractive, strong and light, and we continue to explore improved finishes and detailing This ongoing process of improvement is what sets Swift above the ordinary run of canoe manufacturers. Bitter experience has taught us the folly of complacency and our philosophy is simple: there is no such thing as “good enough, =20- ‘@uETCoCONSTRUCTION Because all paddlers have their own requirements, we offer a range of hull constructions and trim options. Each has been tested in our rental fet to meet the most rigorous demands of canoeing, while still providing ‘minimal weight. We do not, however, sacrifice longevity for light weight. And, all Swift Canoes have pigmented protection against ultra-violet degradation of the laminates You have your own priorities in a canoe. Whether you want the lightest possible canoe, the most durable or most cost effective, we have a construction to meet the need, Each has been carefully engineered and fully tested in our rental fleet to meet the rigorous demands of canoeing, Details like inside and outside pigmented protection against ultra-violet degradation, variable laminate thickness to put stiffness where it is needed, and our own custom extruded and finished aluminum gunwales are not extras with Swift; they are standard, Your Swift Canoe, no matter which construction you choose, is the result of extensive laboratory and practical testing, which assures you of a lifetime of worry free canoeing. LAMINATE OPTIONS wr) Swiftech Four layers of 9 oz. fiberglass cloth sandwiching our unique stiffening and strengthening material, Swiftech, with Kevlar reinforcing in the ends and along the kee! line, are bonded by an epoxy based polyester resin system producing the lightest fiberglass laminate in the industry without sacrificing strenath. Canoes of SWIFTECH are economical, light and well suited to general recreational use. SWIFTECH is Unique among fiberglass laminates, being both strong and exceptionally ight. Superlight Kevlar ‘The outside layer is of high strength, abrasion resistant “S” glass, with multiple layers of Kevlar sandwiching our unique stiffening and strengthening material, SWIFTECH. The laminate uses a flexible vinylester resin system of exceptional durability and strength, producing the best strength to weight ratio of any available Kevlar laminate. Ultralight Kevlar Many of our customers paddle where the demands of portaging are severe. For them (and for those who, like ourselves, are beginning to feel their age), we have Ultralight Kevlar. Averaging about 10% lighter than our Superlight laminates, the Ultralights have the same strength ind durability. The disadvantage is a less attractive surface Uist thot small price to pay for ponaging ease We strongly recommend the Ultralight layup for solo paddlers who prefer single tip portages. ue Expedition Reinforcing For those whose paddling places extraordinary demands on thelr canoes, we offer Expedition Reinforcing. Adcltional layers of Kevlar and “S" glass are placed in the most vulnerable areas of wear, providing added strength where needed Royalex A thermoplastic laminate of vinyl and ABS substrate, sandwiching a central foam core, Royalex has become one of the most popular cance building materials, Although heavy, relative to our laminated canoes, Royalex is durable, damage resistant and the material of choice for those who run whitewater extensively, TRIM SYSTEMS Aluminum Trim Standard trim for all SWIFTECH and Kevlar Swift Canoes is bronze finished aluminum gunwales, which are plastic coated. These gunwales are highly abrasion resistant and have a warmer feel than other aluminum gunwales available. Ash or cherry yokes, wood-framed nylon web seals and plastic end caps complete the trim on these Vinyl Trim Standard trim for Royalex canoes is black reinforced vinyl rails, polyethylene end caps, ash yoke and wood-framed raylon web seats. Wood Trim ‘Ash wood is available for trim on any Swift Canoe, Ash is a durable wood with a high strength to weight ratio and it withstands abuse better than most woods. As an accent, cheny is used for the decks, with the ash qunwales. Cherry ‘wood is prized for its rich, dark color and is available for seats, yokes and thwarts, in place of ash, at no extra cost Al fastenings are stainless stecl. Many people regard our ‘wood trim finish to be the finest in the industry.OPTIONS Colors Standard Suift colors are: Carnival Red, Marine Green, Jade Green, Emerakl Green, Midwatch Blue, Sand, Bristol White and Burgundy. Your dealer has a color chart which accurately depicts the actual color. In addition, custom colors are available upon special order Trim Lines ‘The best performance can be obtained from your canoe only if it is trimmed properly, To aid you in achieving proper trim, we supply tape trim lines placed 2” above the proper waterline, By using these lines as a reference and shifting packs or the sliding seat, you can accurately trim the cance. Bow Sliding Seat No canoe should be without one! The sliding seat makes compensating for children or smaller paddlers easy. Experienced trippers use the sliding seat to counteract the effects of wine and waves to make the canoe virtually seit steering. Ours can be adjusted easily even when underway Kneeling Thwart Kneeling thwarts are becoming increasingly popular to provide comfortable solo paddling in a tandem canoe. Ours are set at the proper height and slightly angled for comfort. A detachable seat can also be installed for those who prefer to sit when paddling solo Knee Pads In whitewater or heavy waves, the safest way to paddle is kneeling, We can install 3/4” thick kneeling pads, in both paddling positions, to hold your knees firmly and {JOHN WINTERS AND KAREN "GABBY" GRAY, OUR ALGONQUIN CANOE STORE MANAGER. “2. comfortably in position. These durable foam pads won absorb water and are a dark gray color. Kevlar Skid Plates Developed for our rental fleet, skid plates absorb the abuse ‘which bows and stems get in landing or in whitewater rock collisions. They are made of Kevlar felt, impregnated with an impact and abrasion resistant epoxy resin. Yokes We have a variety of contoured yokes, to fit every size of person and any portaging need. The best way to choose one is to try them on for “feel.” For those who will be doing a lot of portaging, they are an essential option. ‘Swifty Tumpline ‘Tumplines distribute the weight of the canoe between the shoulders and spine. This traditional method of portaging is unmatched for comfort. The Swifty Tump is both functional and comfortable. It has a wide leather headband, is easily adjusted for length, and takes only seconds to install in or remove from the canoe Swift Warranty (Our warranty is simple. Ifthe canoe you purchased new from Swift Canoe Company should fail due to a defect in materials or workmanship, we will repair or replace it at our option, Transportation to and from a Swift Canoe dealer is your responsibility - well take it from there. MADAWASIAWesiaive vour finSWIFT CANOE COMPANY RR#1, Oxtongue Lake Dwight, Ontario Canada POA 1HO ) (705) 635-1167 (705) 635-1194 U.S. DISTRIBUTOR SWIFT CANOE COMPANY 41 Bridge Street, Box 336 Collinsville, Connecticut USA, 06022 (203) 693-6977 ere a Son ea) eC a area Co eRe rae