Dear Platt
and Bette,
I've just
returned from a 22-day, 370-mile trip down the Connecticut River,
from Canaan, VT by the Canadian border all the way to Long Island
Sound, in my Snowshoe 14. The little craft now has a bit of ductape
on a couple of holes and a lot of abrasions, but she handled every
kind of water with ease. The damage is more the fault of the skipper
than the boat.
You have designed
one Hell of a seaworthy craft! I used her in water and wind conditions
far beyond her design specs. In fact, you'd probably say I abused
her. Rapids, mud banks, 25-knot winds, 3-foot wakes from big cruisers,
breaking chop, standing waves, tidal rips - she cut through them
all, tossed the water aside, and bobbed over like a cork. In strong
tail winds she fairly scooned over the water. I made the last
6 miles in an hour and a half!
She's a remarkably
dry boat, carried a good load of gear, and did it all without
complaint. And, when it came to portages, she lived up to her
class. You just can't beat a 26-pound boat when you have to carry
her a mile. I wouldn't recommend anyone else try this crazy stunt
in a skin boat...unless they have more skill in rapids than I
do and carry a full roll of duct tape (as I did). But I can't
say enough good about the SnowShoe 14.
Thanks so
much,
Dean
Dean Whitlock
Thetford Center, VT