To replace the Osprey you want to look at the Keewaydin 14. It will be pretty much the same boat but with the option of the adjustable seat height if you want to switch between kneeling and sitting. 

I went with a Shearwater demo over a Keewaydin 15 for the cost savings. The Keewaydin and Shearwater handled the same. 
 

Personally if you are double blading exclusively I would just get a pack boat maybe a cruiser 14.8 at your weight.  I have a keewaydin 14 with a combi seat ( can install traditional seat or pack seat) I find myself using the pack seat more often then not. They don’t offer the combi seat anymore but if you ask them they might make you a boat with it. That or hedge your bet with their new multi height seat.

Keewaydin 14 is the right size solo/non packboat for you but again no longer see that on their website. They would likely make you one if you ask though.

Last edited by ShawnD (9/26/2024 9:14 am)

Video of my boat when it was new 7 yrs ago.

https://youtu.be/9Waat-ErET4?si=X5FCJQ_h87kjUjih

Placidboat works makes packboats with different height pack seats that are stackable. US manufacturer though. Rare to see one for sale up here.

You can see their seats here.

https://placidboatworks.com/how-to-choose-your-boat-lay-up/

Or maybe just a keewaydin 14 with their multi height seat. I have paddled a keewaydin 15. Too much boat for me too. The 14 is likely up your alley. Pretty sure they would make one for you if you ask.

Multi height seat can be seen here. At the 8 min mark. The lower height of that might work for you.

https://youtu.be/whnM6AyysUk?si=3Uhe09ys_Qg2APiw

I’m in Barrie and near a beach on kempenfelt bay if you want to paddle a keeywaydin 14 just shoot me a DM.

The Cruiser will help with tracking when you're going in a straight line, but it won't turn as easily as your Osprey. 

I took another look at your target weight of 170 lbs total. That is light. You might even want to look for Cruiser 12.8. From the specs you would be close to the midpoint of the listed optimum load range. The midpoint of the optimum load range for a Cruiser 14.8 would be 210 lbs. That would still leave you fairly lightly loaded in the Cruiser 14.8 which would make you more easily blown around. 

Digging up the Osprey specs, the midpoint of the listed optimum load range for the Osprey was 190 lbs (120 - 260 lb range). The range for the Cruiser 14.8 is listed as 140 - 280 lbs for a midpoint of 210 lbs. Based on the #'s you would be sitting higher in the water in the Cruiser than you would be in the Osprey, so if having better control in the wind is a goal, the Cruiser 14.8 might not be an improvement.  I'd emphasize the "might" in that sentence because the Cruiser is a much different hull that is optimized for straight line tracking so even with a higher volume and capacity it might still handle more the way you want it to than the Osprey does. 

RobW wrote:

You might even want to look for Cruiser 12.8. From the specs you would be close to the midpoint of the listed optimum load range. The midpoint of the optimum load range for a Cruiser 14.8 would be 210 lbs. That would still leave you fairly lightly loaded in the Cruiser 14.8 which would make you more easily blown around. 
 

good point Rob.  I think another test paddle is in order.  I think the difference I noticed in the cruiser 14.8 was that there is less boat above water to catch the wind... definietly was more work to turn 180 degrees than the Osprey though so something else is at play here to keep in more grounded and straight-tracking.  

MartinG wrote:

I have had an Osprey, a Hemlock Kestrel (cousin to the Kee 14) and a Cruiser 14.8. I've also owned 3 other Solo canoes for river travel.

Great insights as well Martin... that's exactly the situation I was worried about is the middle of the nip with all those turns LOL.  but yeah I think since 90% of my paddling is lakes it's an easy pick for the straighter-tracking more wind-resistant boat.  

Ok guys sounds like I need to arrange another test paddle for the 12.8... not sure about the pack 12.6 and 13.8 either.  I'll also have to sample the carbon footbar vs. the regular foot braces.  Didn't compare those side-by-side.  

The cruiser 14.8 is still at the top of my list... that thing was sweet.  Especially with an extra foam pad under my butt to get my hips into a more natural position.  Can't sink it down too low in the water now or i'll scrape more rocks XD hahahaah
 

Last edited by MichaelAngelo (9/27/2024 11:36 am)

ShawnD wrote:

 
Placidboat works makes packboats with different height pack seats that are stackable. US manufacturer though. Rare to see one for sale up here.

You can see their seats here.

https://placidboatworks.com/how-to-choose-your-boat-lay-up/

I actually just emailed them to inquire. Nice boats.  Not sure about a bungie yoke or wrap-around yoke though I guess you could still get clamp-on or pressure-fit yokes in there.  Swift's pin-in yoke system seems nice, although I guess disadvantage is having to move objects around the thwarts to find balance. 

Thoughts of the yoke systems anyone?

Shayne74 wrote:

What are your plans for your Osprey? 

Let me know if you're interested.  I just actually weighed it... it's 40lbs even.  Strange, must not be the kevlar lay-up I thought it was all these years!  Might ask swift what it actually is... LOL.  No wonder I kept taking my tandem langford instead...  I
 

Last edited by MichaelAngelo (10/02/2024 7:31 am)

FYI.  There's a Kewaydin 15 on KIJIJI right now in Kitchener Waterloo.  Like New. Guessing a Covid purchase that is not getting used.  Out of my price range ATM with 2 kids in university and one more soon. Might be worth a look. 

Swift 15ft Keewaydin solo canoe for sale (29lbs) | Canoes, Kayaks & Paddles | Kitchener / Waterloo | Kijiji Classifieds

 

Last edited by Shayne74 (10/03/2024 2:01 pm)