Profile

The Peterborough Champlain Model 1492 was built by the Peterborough Canoe Co., allegedly designed and recommended for the increasing demand by cottage goers, boys and girls camps, tourist resorts and boat liveries. (from 1955 catalogue). Popular throughout the Kawarthas, Muskoka and Algonquin Park. Canvas over cedar strip makes for a heavier boat than those made from more modern materials however this is a joy to paddle. With pronounced rocker, kneeling and paddling Canadian style makes for a very maneuverable and stealthy canoe for exploring the back waters. A great old canoe!

I picked up my Kipawa Fusion Kevlar canoe 3 years ago and primarily solo in it, although I always seem to have my Labrador for bow ballast just aft of the forward seat. Often the 5 year old granddaughter joins the dog and I. Regardless of who is with me, the Kipawa is a breeze to trim with the slider seat. The canoe is fairly fast, handles exceptionally when trimmed properly. I own three canoes but the Kipawa seems to be my go-to as it is easily light enough for me to load and unload alone. Using the Kipawa primarily to solo, I placed permanent kneeling pads forward of the gluteal thwart and find I can go for hours in this position in spite of my 63 years. The entire boat has been custom finished by Swift Canoe in beautiful cherry wood which adds some additional weight, however this is negligible and still easily manageable. The cherry decks, gunwales, yoke, thwart and seats regularly illicit comments from people at the put-in. It is truly a beautiful canoe

Many have commented on the initial stability of the Kipawa and I have to admit that a bit more care must be taken when settling in to the canoe with little or no ballast is present however once moving the initial stability changes and becomes more settled. The secondary stability is excellent and I tend to tuck into an off-center position and heal the boat over somewhat, some refer to as Canadian style. This reduces my wetted area and makes for less drag and more efficient handling with less expenditure of energy.
I would have to give the 16’6” Fusion Kevlar Kipawa a 9 and would recommend it to anyone with intermediate paddling skills as a great boat for tripping or solo.