C-Forum

If you haven't seen the pictures of the Option and Ion yet check them out on the Blackfly facebook page. Nice!

Be aware the the Blackfly facebook page seems to reside on a server in the Bermuda Triangle. The pictures seem to disappear from time to time, only to reappear later.

Awesome! Can't wait to get in one of those badboys.

Any videos of test runs yet?

I tried to get some GoPro footage yesterday, but the boat was too cold to get the mount to stick. I'll try again today.

Any idea what the paddler weight limit is where the boat is not too wet?

fleckbass wrote:Any idea what the paddler weight limit is where the boat is not too wet?

Not really. Both boats shrunk more than I expected in terms of depth, so I'm planning on adding some depth for the production boats, and also a little spash deflector type thing on the end of the deckplates, so they'll be drier than they are now anyway. I found that the Option is so stable that it's really easy to block waves with the hull, even with as shallow as it is right now.

I'm also not sure I have a good concept of what "too wet" is. Keep in mind that I'm used to paddling a Blackfly.

Any idea of hull weight projections yet?

Fully outfitted- as pictured including airbags, the Option prototype is 58lbs, the Ion prototype is 47. Both boats came out thicker than I was shooting for, so I'd project the production boats to be about 53lbs and 45lbs respectively.

Cool looking boats. The ion looks crazy.

Is it just me or does the Option look a bit like the L'edge ??

Great looking boats, it`s encouraging to see two brand new boat designs cant wait to see them on the water!

For all the hullaballoo about "growing the sport" that periodically goes around . . . THANK YOU for taking this risk. I hope that people love paddling them and respond by buying as many as you can make.

I think the Option does look like the L'Edge, but I think that is form following function. I certainly haven't heard Craig or anyone else associated with Esquif crying foul, although I assume they haven't seen the boats in person yet. I would also point out that although the bow-profile definitely does resemble the L'Edge (particularly in the tucked-in gunwales above a protruding crease line), the side-profile isn't as similar. I *think* the Option has less curvature in the rocker line.

I for one am excited to learn how the two paddle relative to each other. How lucky would we be if this was the start of a new canoe "arms race"?

Shep

Shep wrote:I How lucky would we be if this was the start of a new canoe "arms race"?

"Mine is shorter than yours."

How long, wide and deep are these things?

Look great, awesome work, good luck with production (and sales)!

Pat.

Holy Cow... I can't believe there will be two more plastic canoes to choose from!

Is the Option symmetrical? It almost appears to be tapered at the stern.