Profile

I have spent 30 years paddling a 15ft. Grumman believing that I was pretty good at it. My leap to a solo canoe was rooted in a strong desire to do some Adirondack tripping and needing a boat light enough for those 2 and 3 mile portages I envisioned. I did not do extensive research on solos but I was aware of this guy in Hemlock, NY that built canoes. Meeting Dave Curtis I found a man who possessed strong opinions on design, construction methods, and materials. Being a woodworker myself this pleased me, (one should have conviction to their craft). After a 4 hour test paddle on Canadice Lake I told Dave to build my premium hull peregrine.

That was one year and hundreds of paddled miles ago. In that time I have learned that I really am good at this and lament not having jumped to a dedicated solo years ago. Mine is about 34lbs. and performs as advertised, (a great lake tripper). I am 5'-8" 162lbs. and prefer kneeling with a single blade straight shaft paddle. On a recent lake trip carrying 65lbs. of gear I was surprised to have covered 13 miles in 4 hours of casual paddling. This included a portage around a dam and several stops because fellow paddlers wanted to admire my canoe. The same trip had miles of wilderness river with hairpin turns, log jams, and beaver dams all negotiated without difficulty. This canoe has performed beyond my expectations, secretively fast, maneuverable enough, and light. I would give it a 10 if I believed perfection by humans was possible.

I introduced myself to kayaking with the purchase of a Dagger Blackwater 12.5. After three years I wanted to step up to something longer, faster, and sexier but most of all I needed more cargo space for camping trips. I test paddled 7 different touring kayaks all plastic boats between 14 and 16 feet long priced under $1000.00 a self imposed limit. The Capelookout 155 won this competition with the Carolina 14.5 the only boat making it a tough decision.

I am 5-9 175 lbs and fit the molded thigh braces in the cockpit nicely. I can lean this boat within inches of the combing. This ability along with the rocker of the hull makes it quite maneuverable. I have no trouble tracking a straight course and do not feel I would want the optional rudder. The phase 3 seat is a big plus for my lower back. I have made two 4 day camping trips in the Adirondacks since I bought my lookout in May. It holds all my gear nicely but I wish the front cargo hatch was a tad larger, plenty of room but hard to load. The front deck rigging could also be more extensive coming closer to the cockpit.

Happy with my red Capelookout. Longer, faster, and much sexier than my Blackwater.