Boat of the Week - Blackfly Option

[Sir Adam]

TonyB made an excellent suggestion of adding some info on the Option generations to the "archive"... and I realized now was a good time to start back up the Boat of the Week, and hopefully get stories / images / and info on the now-in 4th generation mold Blackfly Option:

https://www.cboats.net/c_db/list.php?ty ... ame=Option" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As you can see, we can use some images and a lot more info!

[Sir Adam]

From RodeoClown:

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There have been 4 molds at this point, with various changes above the waterline. The hull has remained essentially unchanged, other than the lines getting smoothed out and more symmetrical over time:

Gen 1: long deck plates, lower ends. These had 5 'strings' on tag airbag lacing on each end. All the gen 1 boats we're red.

Gen 2: shorter deck plates, still had the low ends. 8 string airbag lacing.

Gen 3: short deckplates, 7 sting airbag lacing. The ends of the gunwales are 2" higher than the first two versions.

Gen 4. The only real difference between 3 and 4 is that the inside of the gunwale has a quarter-round radius on it, vs a straight cutoff on the gen 3. The idea was to help stiffen the gunwales and make it easier in the knuckles.

There were more gen 3 boats than the others, gen 2 is the second most common, followed by gen 1 and 4. I'd have to go back and see which I made more of.

[Cheeks]

The Option is my go-to boat, as can be said for a lot of people. Super consistent and always dependable. What I love most about it is that it doesn't do anything weird, it's just stable, fun, and maneuverable.

While I'm not going to get into the whole L'Edge vs. Option thing, I will say that in the earlier versions of the boat, when Jeremy was still getting a hang of rotomolding, the Option definitely did not have the fit and finish of a L'Edge. Jeremy said as much, explaining that as one of the reasons that the Option is cheaper than the L'Edge. But that was then; Jeremy has really dialed in the molding, along with improved outfitting and his swirl techniques. My new Option (4th gen) was every bit as pretty as a new L'Edge. It's not just the improved lines, the molding is significantly cleaner than my previous Option (2nd gen)

Kudos to Jeremy for driving innovation in the sport. The fact that he has put four solo creekers, two play boats, and a tandem out in four-ish years is a huge reason why canoeing has seen the resurgence that it has.

[Wendy]

The Option is a great boat, but at 200 pounds not as dependable as you experience. One of the things I enjoy about his boats is the rounded side that makes for less flips and easier rolling. I love that in the Probe too.