Covert vs Rebel Handling?

[cli4d36p]

Go...

[FullGnarlzOC]

In a nut shell. Rebel wants to shoot straight. Long boat river runner. Narrow and Fast as all hades. Dry and Maneuverable for a long boat, but not as agile as a Covert. Edges and Stability feel close with both. Rebel has slightly less primary than the Covert, both have great secondary.

Rebels came over to the states for the first time in Nov.. paddled it a few times. Liked it. Went to Costa Rica, paddled the Covert 9.3 for 6 days. Fell in love all over again. Came back, got back in the Rebel. Paddled it for 5 days this week. Thinking I might spend most my summer in the Rebel... Might be addicted to speed. Not sure. Covert ain't no slouch with regards to speed either, I just don't think much can contend with the Rebels speed.

[Yukon]

Tommy
when you mention Speed- how do you compare this to older Long boats, such as a composite Viper 12? Which is a boat I have had for 27 years (i love composite and its been abused- even endered a Ford Ranger over 100 ft bank, boat probably save my life, paddled it the next day) . I have not yet seen any of the Silver Birch Boats in person, they look great. I have a Ledge and paddled an Option as well as Taureau, Viper 11, Aftershock, Big Dog Caos, and everything in between. I do enjoy speed on our big rivers. All the boats have their place and Speed in hull is very subjective. Can you compare it to other older boats?

[FullGnarlzOC]

Faster, drier, and less edgy than a Viper 12, better feeling stability, imo. Since it's less edgy than a Viper 12, that creates a more forgiving feeling to it. Other than the modern design, this marks the first time that an 11ft+ boat has been produced in PE. Which grants durability, thus giving it more usability.

Believe it or not, but the Rebel weighs very close to what the Covert 9.3 weighs. Doesn't really make much sense for a boat that is 2ft longer and made of the same material... to shed some light on that - it's because 1) the Rebel is narrower than the 9.3 and 2) Silverbirch's variable PE control. The plastic thickness changes throughout the hull -beefing up the boat where it needs to be, and saving weight on other areas where weight can be saved. Did you know that Silverbirch is the only PE whitewater canoe company that molds their boats in house, at the factory?

[FullGnarlzOC]

Narrow boat. Wife is @ 135lbs paddles it very well. Buddy at 150 lbs has been really enjoying. And I'm at around 200 lbs... also been really enjoying. Seems like 225lbs is upper end of weight range, based on waterline

[Wendy]

Tom, what is the width between the gunnels where the hips sit?

[FullGnarlzOC]

Just measured, 19inch from inside of gunnel to inside of gunnel. i have about 3inchs on each side from gunnel to gunnel to my hips.

[shaman]

The Rebel has a cool feature at the chine.....a narrow 2 inch or so scooped out curve on the bottom of the hull at the edge of the chine....awesome for carving and jet ferries.....once the curvy chine thing is set all you have to do is bump your knee up and the boat is back to neutral

[yarnellboat]

Tommy, when you refer to 225 lbs getting heavy for the boat, which boat, both?

Also, I assume all the Covert references here are for the 9.3. The Covert 10.5 and the Rebel are more comparable in size.

I'm about 230 lbs, and I find my Ocoee doesn't keep me upright in places where a modern big-boy boat like a L'Edge, Octane 91, Condor... Rebel?, Covert 10.5? might. I found the Octane 91 too stable though, and would like something that is a little more nimble with the currents.

Thanks for more info on these Silverbirch boats, I've never seen any in person.

Pat.

[FullGnarlzOC]

Based on reading this and the other post... At 230 - I think what you are looking for is either Covert 10.5 or a Condor.

Seems like you want more speed than an Agent will give you.

[FullGnarlzOC]

10.5 would give you nice comfy feel, good stability, plenty of nimbleness, and solid glide for ease of paddle.

[yarnellboat]

Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. If I was still in a place that was a little more gravity-assisted (BC), and paddling more often, the Agent 88 would be of interest, but back in the pool-and-drop prairies, a longer boat probably makes sense.

Anyway, very nice for heavier paddlers to now have a handful of different hulls to choose from!

Pat.