Hornbeck 14

Hornbeck 14 Description

The Hornbeck 14 is a canoe brought to you by Hornbeck Boats. Read Hornbeck 14 reviews or submit your own review to share with the paddling community. Check out a few other canoe recommendations below or explore all canoes to find the perfect one for you!

Hornbeck Boats
Hornbeck 14 Reviews

Read reviews for the Hornbeck 14 by Hornbeck Boats as submitted by your fellow paddlers. All of the reviews are created and written by paddlers like you, so be sure to submit your own review and be part of the community!

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5

I've owned a 14' Tandem for…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 12/27/2023

I've owned a 14' Tandem for 20 years now, and have found it to be up to everything I've subjected it to, including waves that many thought such a light canoe wouldn't be able to handle. No problems! But then, I've been in and around canoes for decades, including running river rapids with them. (Though I wouldn't choose this particular model for that purpose.) I've portaged it, ferried camp supplies and people in it, and even 'raced' it against other 14'ers. And usually won.
All that said, this is a canoe that that you need to learn how this build acts.. and once known the lake/river is yours!

5

I just recently purchased a…

Submitted by: Peter-Hamlin on 10/14/2019

I just recently purchased a Hornbeck Nomad New Tricks 14 pack canoe, and love it!

I am a long-time kayaker, and was looking to upgrade to something lighter as an acknowledgment of age (68 and counting). I've owned a 14.5' Wilderness Systems Tsunami for many years. That boat is super-stable and fast, not tremendously nimble but great in open water, and about 55 lbs. heavy. I was looking at lighter kayaks in the 40 lb. range when someone told me about pack canoes, which I had never heard of before. I went to Peter Hornbeck's shop and tried a few models and fell in love with this one.

I'm 6' 1", 195. The 12' and 13' models felt a little cramped for me, and the 14', though slightly heavier, is still freakishly lightweight. I appreciated the expert help and advice at Hornbeck from Peter and his knowldegable staff.

The Hornbeck is fast (I clock it at the same speed as the Tsunami), nimble, comfortable and stable. Unlike the Tsunami, the Hornbeck has a secondary stability point that allows you to tilt for a sharp turn. But when actually paddling, it gets in a firm primary stability groove.

It's super easy to enter and exit the boat -- pretty much like sitting down on and getting up from a chair. That's another of the pleasures of the boat since I love make frequent stops on islands and along the shore. The Kevlar/carbon material is very tough but also thin, so I'm much more careful about scratching it than I was with the Tsunami. (I had to drag the Tsunami quite a bit because of its weight, but the Hornbeck can so easily be picked up, placed in the water, and hopped onto without contacting hard surfaces.)

I was expecting there might be compromises in such a lightweight boat, but I haven't found anything to wish for. For me, it's a perfect boat.

5

I've owned the 14 footer for…

Submitted by: motobobp on 12/16/2015
I've owned the 14 footer for over 5 years and it a joy. The boat gets used mostly for fishing and birding. Very responsive and fast and tracks well when you're paddling but has a very slight tendency to veer off course should you stop for a moment. Never been enough of a problem to worry about. It's 14' length allows fast dry passages across rough, wind swept, lakes.
5

If paddling joy is the main…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 12/24/2013
If paddling joy is the main criteria...it rates a 14. But I confess that my wife and I are Hornbeck boat groupies. We had 5 before adding a 12 foot "New Trick" low profile for her and a 14 footer for me. We have used 3 10-foot classic Kevlar boats for close to 20 years and a 2 year old "Black Jack" was her retirement gift to herself.

Simply stated, they are the perfect boat for us mature folks to easily pop on a car and experience the remote waters like never before. they are more about accessibility and nature experience... expanding your engagement with remote waters and their treasures than boating... I recommend them to anyone.

We also have a 9-foot Kevlar "Lost Pond" boat ...originally focused on the backcountry fisherman...it's under 10 pounds.... it is now claimed by our 9 year old granddaughter. at 6 ft 2 inches and 235 pounds the 14 foot high profile boat is my cruising machine. if I want an hour dawn fishing its a 10 foot classic, but if we want to do some paddling with a swim suit and picnic lunch, and exploring a yet undiscovered lake or pond, the "New Tricks" are pure joy. ours are hybrid Kevlar and carbon fiber. they are about 6 inches narrower but mine 4 feet longer...boy does it cut thru the water.

Again, after a couple of decades of Hornbeck boats, we are over the top in appreciation...but that's a pretty good recommendation. this new boat is a mean cruising machine...give it a try.

3

I recently picked up a newish…

Submitted by: paddler234884 on 4/19/2013
I recently picked up a newish mid-profile H14 at an estate sale. I'd been shopping for a pond tripping boat for some time. I'm an experienced paddler with thousands of solo wilderness miles under me, and am a licensed guide. I've led canoe trips and taught paddling for 30 years. So...

The Hornbeck, at 14 feet and 29 pounds, is a slight little sliver of a boat. My first trip was awkward--I don't like using a double paddle (which I feel is an excuse for not mastering the J-stroke), was wobbly. The canoe felt tippy and light (which it is), and seems to stall at a less than ideal speed, for me. I can certainly use this boat for pond fishing on quiet water, but I expected a little more speed and stability for a 14-footer.

As a light weight pond tripped and trout fishing boat, the H14 is perfect. It is THE boat for lightweight extended tripping with a single carry approach. I don't especially feel that this will be a safe ride in open, exposed water with any sort of chop, though in good hands, any boat can outperform its design limitations. But you can't have it all--and what's lost here is the pure joy of a paddling experience in a thoroughbred boat. but I got what I bargained for--a boat I can carry for miles without tiring--in search of the holy brook trout!

I'm 200 pounds, six feet tall, and this particular boat feels too small for me, in spite of the fact that the seller told me the boat was made for him and he outweighs me by thirty pounds. I wish I had held off for a 16 footer...

4

Hornbeck's 14 foot Kevlar…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 1/5/2012
Hornbeck's 14 foot Kevlar solo/tandem is an outstanding boat. Paddles well, easily holds two people when you want to go tandem and carries enough gear for several days. The built in yoke allows one to carry it effortless--although I have only portaged it 2 miles I would not hesitate to think longer trips would be as easy. It's light weight but tough.

Paddling experience would dictate water conditions one feel comfortable in but I can say from experience--paddling in rough water has never bothered me.

4

I wanted to do some kayak or…

Submitted by: guest-paddler on 9/25/2007
I wanted to do some kayak or canoe fishing and decided that my highest priority was overall weight and ability to fit on a wall rack in my garage. Since I am car topping ease of lifting on and off, an ease of walking to the water were very important. That narrowed it down to a canoe made of kevlar and/or carbon. I also decided a canoe would be more convenient in terms of storage and could be used for camping as well. For fishing and efficiency I decided I wanted something that could be double paddled.

I liked the price of the Hornbeck's compared to others, and the layout of the thwarts worked well for use for fishing. I chose the kevlar/carbon version rated at 25 lbs. Once purchased the hardest thing was finding a way to get it to Florida. Hornbeck really had no way of crating and shipping it, and relied on what they call "gypsies" or people coming south to cartop them when possible. Unfortunately after two months Hornbeck could not find a gypsie. So I had to find one myself and got lucky through a friend of a friend to bring it down. Once it arrived I was a little disappointed to find it had some gouges in the bottom from setting it down on small rocks or something, and some porosity and imperfections in the finish on the outside hull which is unpainted and clear resin out of the mold. Also the finish on the gunnels could have used a couple more coats of oil.

The interior Kevlar finish and seating were very well done. This model can be used as a tandem and they provide foam seats and extra backrests if you want to convert it over. I would call this a minimalist tandem canoe and would only use it as such in a situation where hiking and portaging was the issue. I found it just right in size as a solo fishing boat. Initially it is a little tippy but it gains ultimate stability as you roll it over because of the "cheeks" amidships. I would not say it is a canoe for standing up in if you are into flyfishing.

The standard foam seat and back rest work well, but I added a Crazy Creek canoe seat which strapped to the existing seat perfectly, to provide more comfort for long fishing trips. To convert it to a fishing machine I added a couple of rod holders to the backrest thwart, I also moved this thwart aft four inches since I would carry a fish bag in the forward area and not be bow heavy. I replaced the backrest thwarts fore and aft that are there for tandem use with thinner cherry thwarts. I rigged an anchor trolley between these thwarts so I could adjust the anchor position when fishing.

I fish on the open bay and have found the boat to be quite seaworthy, and dry, it goes up and over larger waves with no problem. Of course being light it blows around a bit more, but quite controllable. Speed seems to be as good as most kayaks I paddle with, it tracks quite well, but the limited rocker makes for a larger turning radius, so it wont spin on a dime. The clear resin finish scratches very easy so great care needs to be taken not to drag up on the beach. I have tried to repair a few scratches and it is not easy. So best to get out and pick up the canoe and set it down on something soft.

For me it has met my needs in terms of portability perfectly, I can one hand it off the car, put all my fishing gear in and pick it up and walk it to the water by myself. My friends with poly kayaks need help and take longer to launch. Even though the poly kayaks dominate the fishing market, I think a hybrid canoe like the Hornbeck rigged for fishing provides some real advantages.

4

This is a 14 foot "pack"…

Submitted by: mdidley on 8/2/2007
This is a 14 foot "pack" style solo canoe. The seat is molded foam, about 2" off the floor for stability. It is designed for a double blade paddle. I have had (and still have one) several high end kayaks over the last 20 years and paddle mostly big water in lake Erie and the Niagara river.

In an attempt to take a very young and active 60 pound dog paddling, I happened onto the pack style boat which has been perfect for the purpose. This particular model advertises exceptional stability and I have to agree. The dog started a wrestling match on flat water and we stayed upright - this youngster still needs training or behavior modification. The weight is claimed to be 25 pounds and I have no reason to dispute that. It's a light boat.

I did go to Hornbeck and try several boats. The 16 foot has great speed and glide due to longer length and narrower width - have to get one - but it's not stable enough for the young dog (but plenty stable without the dog or with a smaller dog). The dog and I have paddled big water with big 3-4' boat wakes and steep wind-driven chop with no issues. The fine entry and smooth transition to full body keep out most spray under anything less than the worst conditions and the hull shape keeps all serious water out. Inland or small water paddlers will likely never even see spray. There is no paddle boat made that won't take spray in the Niagara River when the wind blows 15+ against the current and stacks up a steep chop at rapid intervals. After 2 months we have not had a mishap. Our previous trips, even in sit-on-top kayaks, were comical and very wet.

The boat performs well with the dog and better without the extra 60 pounds. I don't need to move the seat to adjust trim with or without the dog but the adjustment range is part of the dog option package offered by Hornbeck. I am 5'10" and 220 pounds. Keeping my weight low with this boat design is what creates the exceptional stability. Getting in and out is as easy as anything out there. I launch from beaches or boat launches with the boat parallel to the shore - the dog steps over the side and sits on the foam pad that comes with the dog package. I stand alongside and sit directly into the seat using the seat back and paddle shaft across the gunnels as hand supports. The boat is stable enough to just pull the legs in after that. Getting out is the reverse of this. The dog can lay (preferred) or sit and stability is good. An experienced paddler on calm water can tolerate the dog standing but it is not recommended. The boat keeps up with 14-16 foot kayaks easily even with the dog on board for social paddles.

The paddle is a 260cm Werner Kallistite double blade also purchased thru Hornbeck. I had a 240cm but it is too short for the width of this hull. The staff was great, letting the dog swim in the demo area and try out boats. It was windy and all the demo boats blew away while we were there, a testament to the durability of the light construction. It is a treat to lift compared to even a kevlar kayak (typically 45+ pounds). There are no practical downsides for performance with a dog or loaded with gear - it's the widest solo from the 3 builders that make this style of boat. It's so great to rack or carry I rarely take a kayak out any more. A narrower or longer boat would give more speed but less stability - this is counter to my desired usage. Finish could be better but is not what I would describe as poor.

The rating reflects the hull being perfect for my desired purpose - paddling on big or small water with an active 60 pound retriever mix without mishaps. I would not hesitate to take a well trained 100 pound dog in this boat. The wife has less issues with the paddling outings if I take the dog so it's a double bonus. As the dog calms down with age I will have my eye on the 16 foot and may even sell my kayak. There is no comparison to racking or carrying a 25 pound boat and it racks well on just cross bars. See the Hornbeck website for various carry options. They have this down to a science. Based on prices for kevlar kayaks or canoes from the major builders the Hornbecks are a great value.