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DY Special
This Product Has Been Discontinued
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DY Special Description
The DY Special is a canoe brought to you by Sawyer Canoes. Read DY Special 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!
Sawyer Canoes
DY Special Reviews
Read reviews for the DY Special by Sawyer Canoes 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!
I've had a DY Special…
The boat is FAST and tracks like a champ but turns like a freight train (not surprising at over 17'). A heavy lean helps the turn but going through some of the windy Adirondack streams I like to explore can be a little challenging at times.
A little heavy and unwieldy for portages with no good yoke built in, I'm considering buying a removable yoke.
All in all a great canoe. I paid $150 for it and it was worth every penny.
Me: 5'7, 180lbs. I've had it…
It tracks on rails, but will turn decently with a substantial lean. It works well with both a bent shaft or straight canoe paddle. But I prefer a long kayak paddle going upstream in a strong current or canoe.
Primary stability is very good, and it can be leaned over to the gunwales smoothly. Its pretty easy to cartop, and I usually carry it on my shoulder, like a kayak. The tractor seat is comfortable, and still in good shape for a 1983 boat. The hull and aluminum gunwales are also solid, like a much younger boat. It has enough room for extended camping, though I've yet to try it. The narrow sides prevent loading anything wide, however, so that's something to keep in mind while packing.
I only had it out in mild rapids and large lakes and rivers with moderate wind, which were no problem. She was a bit squirelly in following seas and Class II rapids, but didn't take on water.
All in all a great boat to go fast in, for touring, rec racing or workouts. She's stable enough for fishing and photography. An excellent solo canoe.
I built a wood strip DY Special in '08. The hull is western…
The hull is western Red cedar with 3.25 oz cloth in and out, all mahogany trim.. It weighs 31 Lbs. The boat is a joy to paddle or carry. It could use more secondary stability, but that would spoil the lines. I have used this boat for extended wilderness trips in the Adirondacks and daily training, it does it all. This boat is everything I ever wanted in a solo sit 'n' switch!!