Sawyer Loon Expedition 17' Solo Canoe/kayak

Condition: good length overall (LOA): 17 make / manufacturer: Sawyer model name / number: Loon propulsion type: human year manufactured: 1996 Sawyer Loon canoe/kayak for sale by original owner (who has retired from paddling). Technically, it is a canoe because of the open cockpit, but it is a solo boat with rudder that can be paddled like a kayak with a double-blade paddle, or with a short single-blade canoe paddle. This boat was designed by the late Verlen Kruger, who set a world record for the longest canoe trip (which was done in a boat that was the prototype for this model). You can Google Mr. Kruger to read about his exploits and also see his books on Amazon.

This commercial model was build by the (now defunct) Sawyer Canoe Company, and a similar boat was built and sold by Mad River Canoes as the Monarch. These were available in kevlar and fiberglass layups (this boat is fiberglass). It is a sturdy and very stable boat designed for extended tripping and expeditions on large rivers and open waters. It is faster than a standard canoe, but not as fast as a sea kayak. Wind and waves do not pose significant difficulties.

It's maneuverability is comparable to an 18-foot touring canoe, so it's not ideal for whitewater paddling. The seat is adjustable (up/down and fore/aft) as are the rudder pedals; the rudder is raised and lowered by cords accessible to the paddler. There is foam at the extreme ends of the hull to provide flotation. There is room for a large duffel/dry bag behind the seat and several other smaller bags or other gear under the aft and forward deck, so the boat is suitable for extended river/lake camping excursions. It is similar in design and dimensions to Kruger Canoes Sea Wind model.

However, it does not have the super-high impact kevlar and vinyl ester resin design; it is a fiberglass layup. Specs (approximate) Length: 17' 2" (not including rudder) Beam at widest point: 29" Depth: At cockpit: 13.5"; at bow 12"; at stern 9" Cockpit opening: 86.5" x 21" Weight: 63 lb. Date of Manufacture: April 1996 Condition: The boat is structurally in good condition and has never been wrecked or badly damaged, just normal signs of usage. It has been stored indoors all its life. There are a couple of visible flaws in the deck fiberglass; these do not affect the operation, just small warps that are barely noticeable.

Cosmetically, it shows the signs of lots of use with stains along the waterline, grime from previous trips, and other blemishes none of which affect the operation. The only problem I've had with the boat is that one of the seat assembly attachment points came loose; this was repaired with fiberglass and resin, and this repair has held for 10+ years. There are some stickers and residual adhesive from some stickers that were previously on the boat. Maintenance: Other than the usual cleaning, it is advisable to occasionally disassemble the pedal mechanism and clean out any sand/dust residue which can make the pedals harder to operate. Aftermarket enhancements that I made: 1) D-Ring patches on the floor (front and back) to facilitate the tying in of gear; 2) A nylon cleat just left of the cockpit to tie up a painter rope attached to the bow; 3) A Velcro hook patch on the aft deck - I used this to install a little flag holder.

Included with the boat: 1. Nylon Spray cover and bag. It is not a great design; it's hard to attach and the front closure has a gap (which I mitigated a bit by sewing some additional material over it). But, it's better than nothing if it's raining or very cold, and it makes the boat a bit more aerodynamic on a windy day. 2. Two large foam blocks that fit over the bars on a car-top rack to support the boat. 3.

Some spare parts for the rudder assembly (cables, hardware).