Relevant Equipment
Swift Cruiser 16.8
Lightweight Performance Canoe
A fast, lightweight canoe with features taken from both racing and expedition canoes.
- More info
- Features
- Size/ Weight
- Videos
- Recommended Accessories
- Delivery
Swift Canoes Cruiser 16.8
Swift Canoes favourite boat designer David Yost has taken two of his original racing canoes and developed a brand-new modern canoe and called it the Cruiser 16.8. At nearly 17ft in length, and narrow across the beam, this canoe is fast, efficient, has great acceleration and a high top-end speed. The Cruiser 16.8 is loved by casual racer’s, those that like to get from A to B quickly, cover the miles and expedition paddlers wanting to make long distances. The 16.8 is also a great platform from which to train from and is also enjoyed by paddlers looking to improve their fitness.
The Cruiser 16.8 Solo canoe has a strong tumblehome, and nicely rounded chines to help it cope with windier, choppy conditions. It also has a shallow arch hull, which provides the boat with a good secondary stability (unlike most racing canoes). The long waterline length provides exceptional straight-line tracking, but the very slight rocker does it mean it can be turned or the direction changed when required. The gunnels have been cleverly curved twice to create S-shaped gunnels. These give the Swift Cruisers a narrow paddling station, allowing the paddle stroke to be closer to the body, giving additional power and efficiency.
The 16.8 has a high carrying capacity, so well suited for taller/heavier paddlers, and can easily be loaded up with overnight kit if required. The 16.8 is the longest in the Swift Cruiser Series, there are shorter/smaller versions suited to smaller paddlers if required e.g. the Swift Canoe Cruiser 14.8. From the Cruiser carbon seat, the paddler can use either a long double bladed kayak paddle or bent single bladed canoe paddle such as the Grey Owl Sprite. For those that prefer a different seating system (e.g. kneeling or pack-boat), the Cruiser 16.8 can be fitted out with an alternative seat. Please contact us to discuss options available.
As is the case with all the Swift Canoes we import into the UK, the outfitting on the Cruiser Series of open boats is considered amongst the best available. With strength, lightness and careful thought being put into all the components and materials used during their construction. The Carbon/Kevlar gunnels are extremely light, yet durable and are infused into the hulls Kevlar Fusion material for superior strength. The Kevlar Fusion hull is popular due to its high strength to weight ratio, providing great abrasion and impact resistance (as far as composite boats go). Available in Swifts two-tone colourway- Emerald or Ruby over Champagne, which provides a smart look, and the Champagne coloured hull makes it harder to see scratches or character marks that the underside may pick up during it’s time on the water.
As with all the standard Swift Canoes and Pack Boats we import into the UK, the outfitting on the Swift Cruiser 16.8 is considered to be amongst the best in class. With strength, lightness and careful thought being put into the components used to outfit the boats. We import the best-selling Swift Canoes, based on UK paddlers requirements and these are displayed on our website. However, Swift do offer a huge array of material options, outfitting choices, and custom builds. If you would like to design you own ‘super canoe’ from Swifts many options, and have a custom-built boat, then we would highly recommend looking at the Swift Website. Here you will find a custom boat building tool, and some fantastic videos which clearly explain the many features, outfitting choices, and materials available:
If you have any questions relating to Swift Canoes or Swift Cruiser Boats, or would like to discuss a custom boat build and how to pre-order one into the UK, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with of the team here at Manchester Canoes who would be happy to help.
Key Features
- 1x Carbon Sliding Seat.
- Adjustable sliding foot-bar.
- Built-In buoyancy chambers at either end.
- Bow and stern carbon handles.
- 2x Carbon Thwarts.
- Choice of hull material.
- Carbon Endcaps.
- Carbon/Kevlar integral gunnels.
- Integral gunnel pins to accept a yoke (available separately).
Dimensions
Cruiser 16.8
- Length: 16’8”
- Gunwale Width: 23.5"
- Maximum Width: 29.5"
- Waterline Width: 28"
- Centre Depth: 12"
- Bow Height: 18.5"
- Stern Height: 15"
- Bow Rocker: 1"
- Stern Rocker: 0.5"
- Weight of a fitted-out Cruiser 16.8 Solo in Kevlar Fusion: 33lbs/15kg
- Optimum Load Range: 82kg - 145kg (180lbs - 320lbs)
Videos
Recommended Accessories
A beautiful handmade Canadian paddle formed from a single piece of cherry. A traditional deep-water paddle that excels in paddling on open bodies of water. Perfect for honing your Canadian or Indian stroke.
Made in Canada from black cherry, ash, butternut and basswood the voyageur is an excellent all-around paddle that looks as good as it feels. Our most popular all round canoe paddle, that offers great strength to weight ratio. The shape is designed to offer good protection it shallow waters and works equally well for a bow or stern paddler. The fine craftmanship shows throughout the paddle with its 7ply laminate blade highlighting this. Its glossy varnished finish really sets the paddle off visually particularly on the water.
A highly versatile water proof storage option. Barrels offer greater durability that dry bags and also protect the contents from any crushing. As well as being great for transporting kit when paddling they also double as kit storage at home, and being watertight are also ideal for transporting your wet kit home in the car. Please note- these barrels are brand new and first quality, not reconditioned or seconds.
The single best canoe trolley available, featuring a huge 120kg static weight carry capacity. The adjustable rubber feet allow a customised fit on your canoes hull and the high quality easy to use cam strap buckle offer peace of mind that your canoe wont be bouncing off the trolley. The Ctug dissembles easily and quickly for stowage. The construction materials used mean the C tug will remain rust free and last for a long time to come.
Price £101.96 (RRP £119.95 - Saving £17.99)
The clever design of the canoe portage from Thule means that you get an even more secure roof fit with your canoe while tightening your straps less and reducing the risk of damage of your composite canoe. The padded supports are perfect for looking after your gunwales when roof topping. The potage includes 2 cam strap tie downs with buckle protection to avoid and scratches on your new boat. The Universal FlipFit bracket fits all Thule rack systems and most roof racks in the market.
Price £112.99 (RRP £129.99 - Saving £17.00)
Thule Lockable Roofrack Straps
Keep your new canoe safe with Thule's innovative 4m lockable strap. Each strap contains a highly durable steel core wire. The buckle has a protective cover to avoid scratches on your canoe. The lockable straps offer peace of mind when leaving your canoe racked over night or even just at rest stops along your journey. The heavy duty lock provide a visual deterrent for opportunistic thieves.
Price £69.99 (RRP £74.99 - Saving £5.00)
Delivery Of Canadian Canoes
We offer a delivery service for Open Canoes covering many areas of mainland UK using our own fleet of vehicles. Due to shipping restrictions from our couriers, we are unable to offer a courier delivery service for this product range.
Please contact us with your address and we can advise price and availability for delivery to your area.
Click & Collect - Stores Nationwide
We offer a collect from store service for the Swift Canoes Cruiser 16.8. Collection for orders placed online can be made from any of our Canoe Shops UK Stores. For full details on our Click & Collect service, please see: Nationwide Click & Collect
For further help and information about the Swift Canoes Cruiser 16.8, please call us on 01925 818437