Saranac 15

While not the most exciting kayak, it is well made and comes with features that other kayak makers could learn from. In particular, the handle for putting a lock on the kayak allows you to go on a trip and leave your kayak locked up if you wish to explore. The other feature that is great is the seat with great lumbar support. Probably the most comfortable kayak seat I've tried. The version I owned was the Kevlar LV version (Low Volume) and fit me quite well (I'm 5'7 and 140lbs). The weight (or lack thereof) was great for lifting the kayak out of the water and onto the top of the car. As for performance, it tracks well but you aren't going to win any races with it but that's not really what it was meant for. Overall a very competent and well built kayak.

I am very pleased with my recent purchase of Swift's Saranac 15 footer. Owning a few other kayaks and paddling several others over the years, I have gotten a sense of the different nuances a kayak can offer in the areas of stability (primary and secondary), tracking, rocker, chine, comfort, ease of entry, and many other things people tend to note when buying and using a particular boat. In all of those things mentioned I have found the Saranac to perform well above the 'average' and really think it excels in the area of tracking (without the skeg deployed) and stability.

As I have aged it has become more important for me to find a boat that is easy to get into and out of, lightweight, comfortable and efficient to paddle. The Saranac has met and exceeded my expectations and I look forward to keeping this boat in my 'fleet' a long time.

Swift's Saranac 15LV is light for it's size, tracks very well. Stable and comfortable. I find there is hardly a time I need to deploy the skeg. I'm just shy of six feet/180 pounds. The low volume model fits well. I'm comfortable in the kayak for hours in rivers and lakes. Handles Lake Ontario waves under normal weather conditions well.