Packrafts: Taking Your Backcountry Adventures Further Than Ever

What Are Packrafts?

Packrafts are a hybrid of canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Originally designed to provide hikers and backpackers an ultra lightweight and portable paddlecraft. Packrafts allow hikers to take advantage of waterways on their journeys. Packrafts have surged in popularity with the introduction of more specialized packraft designs, which have opened the door to a wide variety of backcountry adventures.

Advantages:

• Lightweight & Portable: Modern packrafts range from around 5 lbs to 20 lbs, depending on their construction. They can be packed down into bags comparable in size to sleeping bags, making them easy to transport.
• High Stability: Packrafts are inherently stable, which reduces the risk of flipping and makes them suitable for rough water scenarios.
• High Weight Capacity: Packrafts have a high weight capacity. Some packrafts also let users access the inside of the tubes for storage space. This makes packrafts a good choice for multi-day backcountry adventures.

Disadvantages:

• Limited Durability: Packrafts sacrifice some durability in order to be lightweight and highly portable. In general, the lighter the packraft, the less durable it will be. That being said, packrafts are surprisingly durable, which is why there are a number of models that are designed specifically for whitewater.
• Performance on Flat Water: Packrafts are short and wide compared to other paddlecraft, and this makes them slower. Packrafts also lack features that help them travel in a straight line (track), like skegs or rudders. This further reduces their speed on the water, although it should be noted that a few flatwater specific models of packrafts have fins to help them track more effectively.

Kayaks: The Versatile Workhorses

Advantages:

• Versatility: There's a kayak for virtually every paddling need—from flatwater paddling to whitewater kayaking, ocean paddling, fishing, and fitness.
• Stability: Recreational kayaks are designed to be very stable, which boost the confidence and comfort for paddlers who are nervous about capsizing.
• Ease of use: Kayaking is a very intuitive activity, which requires very little instruction in its simplest form.
• Control: Using a double-bladed paddle allows for better control, especially in windy environments. The low profile of a kayak also helps to minimize the effect of wind, making them more manageable in breezy conditions.

Disadvantages:

• Weight: Kayaks can be heavy, which poses challenges during transportation. Lighter models are available, but these options cost a premium.
• Portaging Challenges: Kayaks are one of the most difficult paddlecrafts to carry. They are particularly challenging for multi-day trips with portages, because your camping gear needs to be broken down into many, small dry bags in order to fit inside the kayak. These bags need to be removed and carried separately when portaging to make the kayak weight manageable.

Canoes: The Classic Explorers

Advantages:

• Excellent for Portaging: Canoes are great for any type of trip that involves portaging, because they have a yoke, which allows allow the canoe to be carried overhead, with the weight distributed over your shoulders and back. The ability to place large packs in the canoe is also a major advantage, because you don't have a lot of small drybags to contend with.
• Comfort: With a higher seating position and ample room to move around, canoes offer a highly comfortable and adaptable sitting position.

Disadvantages:

• Wind Sensitivity: The high profile of canoes allows wind to push them around more forcefully. This, combined with the fact that most canoeists use a single bladed paddle, make the canoes for more challenging to control a canoe in windy conditions.
• Rough Water Limitations: While experienced paddlers can navigate challenging waters in a canoe, they are generally less stable and more difficult to manage in rough conditions.
• Rescue Difficulty: In the event of a capsize, getting back into a canoe from the water, or swimming a canoe to shore, is more challenging compared to other paddlecraft.

Pack Boats: The Solo Flatwater Specialists

What Are Pack Boats?

Pack boats are boats designed for single paddlers, which blend features from canoes and kayaks. They offer the spaciousness of a canoe with the control and stability of a kayak.

Advantages:

• Stability: Having a seat on the floor lowers your center of gravity, which makes a pack boat feel more stable than a canoe.
• Ample Storage: The open deck design provides plenty of space for large packs and barrels, which makes the pack boat ideal for tripping and carrying extra gear.
• Good Wind Handling: Designed to be used with double-bladed (kayak) paddles, and with a lower profile than traditional canoes, pack boats perform better and are easier to handle in windy conditions compared to canoes.
• Easy to Carry: Smaller than traditional canoes, pack boats are lighter. They also benefit from having a removable yoke. When attached, the yoke allows paddlers to carry the pack boat overhead with the weight distributed over the shoulders and back.

Disadvantages:

• Limited to Solo Use: Pack boats are designed exclusively for single paddlers.
• Poor Performance in Rough Water: With their low profile and open deck design, waves can spill inside the boat. For this reason, pack boats are best suited for calm, flat waters.

Stand-Up Paddleboards (SUPs): Changing the Way You Paddle

Advantages:

• Full-Body Workout: Paddling on a SUP engages more muscles, offering a superior full-body workout compared to other paddlecraft.
• Surfing Capabilities: Ideal for ocean surfing, SUPs allow experienced paddlers to ride waves very effectively.
• Large Open Platform: The expansive surface allows for large packs, eliminating the need to break gear into smaller bags—perfect for camping trips.

Disadvantages:

• Skill Requirement: Standing up and balancing on a paddleboard requires more time and confidence to master compared to sitting in a kayak or canoe.
• Limited Rough Water Performance: SUPs are not as effective in rough waters or rivers with significant waves, limiting their versatility.

Making the Right Choice

Choosing the right paddlecraft depends on your specific needs, preferences, and the environments you plan to explore. Remember, the best way to find your perfect match is to try them out and see which one resonates with your paddling style.

For a more in-depth guide on selecting the perfect kayak, check out my comprehensive guide here. Happy paddling!

If you found this comparison helpful, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to Paddle TV for more paddling tips, gear reviews, and adventure stories. Until next time, see you on the water!

The post Kayak vs Canoe vs SUP vs Packraft appeared first on Hazeadventure.

The Travel Canoe is a full-size, 16-foot inflatable canoe that fits in the trunk of a car! But the question is, how well does it actually work as a canoe, and is it worth the price? Let’s see, with an in-depth and unbiased review.

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe Specifications

Price: $1800-2000 (USD)
Width: 38”
Length: 16’
Weight: 64 LBS (29 KG)
Capacity: 915 LBS (415 KG)
Best use: All conditions

The Travel Canoe features:

• Drop stitch constructions that can be pumped to 10 psi
• Plastic bow and stern moulds to cut through the water
• Traditional wood and webbed seats
• A removable rear skeg
• 4 floor drains
• 6 D rings to secure things down
• 2 non-slip EVA deck pads

Set-Up

The big reason you don’t see inflatable canoes around is that they are so big! The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is no exception. Despite that, it is very easy to assemble. It has three large chambers, a floor, and two sides, which need to be blown up to 10 psi. Blowing this up manually would take a long time, but using an electric pump took minimal effort.

Portability

One of the big drawbacks of canoes is that they are big, heavy, cumbersome, and hard to transport. So immediately the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe gets high marks for portability – it came straight out of my car trunk! It was also quick and easy to set up with an electric pump.

That being said, carrying this solo was not an easy task. While 64 LBS might be light for a canoe, it is fairly heavy to carry in a bag. On top of this, the bag is not a high-end, form-fitting carry bag. Once the canoe is fully inflated it is still difficult to carry. A 16’ and 64 LBS canoe is not easy to carry solo. Carrying it inflated or deflated would be much easier with a second person.

Comfort

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is a wide, open, inflated kayak so it feels spacious and comfortable. The seat is a classic webbed canoe seat. It has three sitting positions you can choose from. These positions depend on how many people are using the canoe. Overall it is a comfortable canoe seat without any special features.

Stability

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe is the most stable canoe that I have ever paddled. I expected it to be stable due to its flat bottom but was still surprised by how stable it is. It is the type of canoe that anyone can feel comfortable in.

There are two types of stability. Primary stability is when the boat is flat on the water. The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has a lot of primary stability. Then there is secondary stability. This is when you hold the boat on edge. It is more relevant for people who intend to take the boat into challenging water. The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has really great secondary stability too. When holding it on the edge it locks into place.

Performance

As a general rule with paddle craft, when you have additional stability you typically give up performance. And that is the case with The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe too. It is not a speedy boat.

The Travel Canoe does travel through the water fairly efficiently due to the fact it is a 16’ canoe. But it does not compare to a canoe with a keel along the hull or a displacement hull that is designed for speed. The Travel Canoe is slower than other canoes.

Features

Canoes don’t tend to have a huge number of features, but there are a few features worth talking about.

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe has drain holes. This means that you can open the drain holes if you get swamped while on the water. Drain holes work well in an inflatable canoe because the canoe will stay on the surface whether it is swamped or not, meaning the drain holes stay above water and work well too.

In fact, the inflatable nature of the Sea Eagle Travel Canoe means that it can never swamp and sink. You are basically paddling a giant life jacket. So if you flip the canoe you can simply flip it back over and paddle to the side without having to empty the boat. Perfect for paddling on large bodies of water or the sea.

The only other feature that this canoe has is the removable skeg. This is necessary on a canoe with such a flat hull because it helps the canoe track. Without the skeg, a little bit of wind would blow this canoe all over the place.

Who is The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe for?

This is a canoe for anybody who wants a canoe. But particularly for someone who wants a portable canoe. This boat allows you to throw it in the back of a car, and store it in an apartment, but also to take it on multi-day canoe trips. It has the stability for a beginner, but might not be as useful for advanced paddlers looking to cover a lot of distance.

Value

The Sea Eagle Travel Canoe retails for $1800 – 2000 (USD). This is about what you would expect to pay for a quality canoe. In fact, quality canoes can retail at even double this price. So for this price, you get a quality canoe with the added bonus of great portability. That means that, although it is a lot of money, it is really great value. It is definitely a canoe to consider.

Kayak: Sea Eagle Travel Canoe
Paddles:  Bending Branches Expedition Plus
PFD:   NRS Odyssey PFD (Touring and Rec)
Clothing:  NRS Short Sleeved Guide Shirt
Sunglasses: Wiley X

The post Sea Eagle Travel Canoe Review appeared first on Hazeadventure.

There's no concrete answer to find here, just a list of pros and cons to sort through, while also incorporating your own personal preferences. But with that said, I think by breaking down the main distinctions, and sharing my own opinions, other paddlers can get a head start on the matter. 

For this gear comparison, I actually brought both types of paddles with me on a 4-day canoe trip through my favorite region: Killarney Provincial Park. For the first 2 days, I used the Bending Branches Catalyst (straight)  and the last 2 days I went with the Java (bent). 

Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle

The idea with a bent shaft canoe paddle is that it makes the forward stroke more efficient. If you've never used a paddle like this before, then your first instinct may be to scoop the water, but in actuality, the bend is meant to point away from you.

The reason for this is that the angle of the blade stays more vertical during the back half of the stroke, compared to the same motion with a straight shaft paddle. In the latter case, once the blade passes the knee, it starts to pull up (i.e. no longer just propelling the canoe forward). This, in turn, pulls your boat down; creating drag.

Bent shaft canoe paddles better?

In canoes and kayaks alike, bent shaft paddles lead to more powerful and efficient forward strokes, but this doesn't mean they are better across the board. Straight shaft paddles are an all-purpose tool.

They still effectively propel the boat forward, and for all other strokes, straight shaft paddles are more intuitive to use. Plus, it doesn't matter which side you catch the water with – it's the exact same. Whereas sometimes I'll catch paddlers getting a little twisted up with the orientation of a bent shaft. 

Straight shaft paddles are also the way to go in rougher conditions. While pounding through some whitewater, it's helpful to have a paddle that works the same from either side, since you'll be taking a lot of back strokes while also trying to charge ahead (as well as draw strokes, etc.). Conversely, if you expect long days of paddling across calm waters, that's where the argument in favor of a bent shaft really comes into play. 

After doing my extended side-by-side comparison, I realized that I prefer the straight shaft paddle (the Catalyst). Aside from it simply being more comfortable (for me anyway), I also appreciate having added dexterity.

Because of my background as a whitewater kayaker, I like to mix things up when I'm out there. I'm not solely concerned with finding the most-efficient path forward. I'm sure that over time I would become more intrigued with a bent shaft (the Java), but as it stands, I like a straight shaft canoe paddle better. 

Side note on length of canoe paddles

A straight shaft canoe paddle should be about 4-inches longer than a bent one. For example, I'm 6-foot-2 (and long in the arms), and I used a 58-inch straight paddle, but a 54-inch bent. 

Canoe and Canoe Paddle Rentals in Killarney Provincial Park

Killarney Outfitters has an abundance of canoes and canoe paddles on hand to rent (including the Swift Prospector that I used) and provide guided services to make the trip possible for paddlers of any skill level. For more information, contact Killarney Outfitters HERE.

That's my hot take on this canoeist's dilemma. I hope this helps steer you in the right direction. For more content on everything paddling-related, including my Paddle Tales episodes in Killarney (and beyond!), check out PaddleTV and subscribe to the Hazeadventure.com newsletter for regular updates. 

Canoe: Swift Prospector 17
Canoe paddles:   Bending Branches Catalyst (straight) & Bending Branches Java 11
PFD:  NRS Zen PFD
Paddling Top:  NRS Silkweight shirt
Paddling Shorts:  NRS Lolo Pants

The post Canoe Paddle: Bent Shaft Canoe Paddle vs Straight Shaft appeared first on Hazeadventure.

If you enjoy solo, multi-day paddle adventures, then definitely add this hybrid-style craft to your off-season scouting list. I'll get you started with some basics about pack boats, since I haven't covered the canoe designs. After that I will discuss my first-hand experiences with the Swift Cruiser. Let's get into it. 

What is a pack boat?

A pack boat is the ultimate solo-trip paddle craft that combines the best features of a canoe and a kayak. A pack boat uses the body of a sleek, lightweight canoe. There is a kayak style seat built into the center of the canoe. This means a double-bladed, kayak-style paddle is used (no J-stroke necessary with this guy). 

What are the advantages of a Swift Cruiser? 

A canoe is an excellent choice for multi-day paddling trips. Especially paddling trips that involve portages (like we saw in Killarney Provincial Park). The open cockpit of the canoe makes it easier to pack and stow gear in bulky bags. This gear can then be carried more efficiently over land during the portage.

Things have to be compartmentalized in smaller doses when packing a kayak. This means more work when it comes time to reconfigure for a lengthy portage.

Canoes are also more stable than kayaks, which is another advantage of the pack boat approach. I found that the Swift Cruiser had excellent initial stability (sitting flat), as well as secondary stability (holding the boat on edge). 

Standard Canoe vs Pack Boat

A pack boat, or a “pack canoe,” preserves the assets of the canoe (i.e. stability, storage capacity, and portage management). The pack boat gets the canoe closer to the paddling performance of a kayak.

Middle Seat, Foot Pegs and Sculpted Gunnels

This is done by adding in a middle seat, foot pegs for generating extra purchase, and sculpting the gunnels to avoid any knuckle-knocking while using the two-blade paddle. Because of the difference in sitting positions, pack boats have a lower center of gravity than a classic canoe, which gives it the edge in windy conditions.

Lightweight Canoe that is Easy to Carry

Pack boats are also significantly lighter than standard canoes, which makes them more nimble on the water and much easier to carry on land. The Swift Cruiser even come with a removable yoke to assist in the portage process. It can be screwed on as a shoulder brace when needed, and then simply tucked away when not. 

How much do pack boats weigh?

One of the clear advantages for solo paddlers is how ridiculously lightweight pack boats are. For instance, thanks to its carbon-kevlar composition, the Swift Cruiser 14.8 weighs only 25 pounds, while the 16.8 only notched the scale up to 29 pounds.

I was able to pick them up with little more than a finger. That's pretty spectacular for something that looks and smells like a canoe. These boats are not only a breeze to carry, but they feel fast and maneuverable on the water. I was able to get a good clip going (the boat held its course beautifully), and using that exceptional secondary stability, I was also able to turn swiftly whenever I wanted.

Is the Swift Cruiser a comfortable boat?

The kayak-style seat in the Swift Cruiser pack boat is super comfortable. When I was younger, I used to be able to get away with sitting on just about anything. Nowadays, a good seat is a must. The lumbar support, in particular, was clutch. It's also worth noting that in the larger, 16.8 (16 feet, 8 inches) Cruiser, the seat is on a track, which allows it to shift forward a bit in order to compensate for a fully-loaded canoe. And finally, the openness of the canoe body allowed me to sit cross-legged, or stretch out my legs whenever I wanted. 

So in conclusion, the Swift Cruiser pack boat (particular emphasis on the 14.8) was incredibly fun to paddle. Given how light, quick, and comfortable it was, I'm in agreement that this is the ultimate solo-tripping boat. If you have the pleasure of making it out to Killarney Provincial Park (here's another episode of Paddle Tales to entice you with), there is no better craft for that kind of adventure. If you liked this review, then make sure to head over to my PaddleTV channel for more gear-talk, paddling tips, and plenty of other beautiful paddling destinations.

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