Susquehanna

Susquehanna

Tandom (C2) / Asymmetrical
Performance Touring, Wilderness Tripping, and Stock Class Racing Canoe

Overview

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The Susquehanna has a narrower water line than the Blackhawk and is 6" longer in length, making it a great cruising canoe that is a joy to paddle, while still being very stable. With a total weight as low as 34 lb., this 18' 6" canoe can be handled with ease both in and out of the water. This is a great high performance canoe which can be used for a day outing or for wilderness tripping. Its light weight makes it easy on the portages, even with a pack. If you enjoy fast paddling or just want to get there with the least amount of effort, the Susquehanna is a great choice.

This canoe design meets the specs for the Stock Recreational racing class in New York, and has consistently won the stock class at the General Clinton, Adirondack Classic and US Nationals.

Technical Specs:

Length:
18'6"
Weight:
32-39 lb
Max. Width:
36.5"
Max. Gunwale Width:
35"
Height:
17" / 13" / 16"
4" Waterline: 33 3/8"
How to Order

How to order your custom built Savage River canoe.

  1.  Choose the model you want
  2. Choose a layup, that works best for for you, from “Layup Options”. You can click on “Layup Description” to compare layups as well as looking at the “Layup Comparison "chart. Our standard layup is the first one listed.
  3. Check the “Extra Reinforcing Options”, if you want to increase the stiffness and strength of the boat. These will be needed for rocky rivers and whitewater.
  4. Choose an inside layer. Details can be found under “Layup Description”.
  5. Pick your desired seat style.
  6. Pick any seat options as well as other options from the lists that you would like to add.
  7. If you have questions or are ready to order feel free to call us at 301-334-2335 or e-mail at [email protected]
  8. Payment:
    We require a $2000 deposit on orders over $4500 and $1500 for orders under $4500.
    You can send a check to:
    Savage River
    581Clifton Drive
    Oakland MD 21550

    We also take credit cards but charge a 3%processing fee.
    Balance is due before shipping or at time of pick up.
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Layup Options

Layup Description
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A plain weave carbon fabric is the standard for the outside layer. Backed up with Kevlar. It is tough and stiff. Good basic layup for C-2s and durable C-1s
Layup Description
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A lighter weight version of the regular carbon. Not as stiff or strong but lighter weight. Backed up with Kevlar. Good option to lighten up a C-2 with out sacrificing a lot of durability. A good intermediate layup for C-1s to balance weight and durability.
Layup Description
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Flat woven carbon that has a beautiful checkerboard appearance. The same weight as regular carbon with greater stiffness and durability. Slides over rocks and stumps easier with less damage. Backed up with Kevlar. The checkerboard appearance increase in durability is the big draw for TeXtreme, but comes with a higher price.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as regular TeXtreme with less weight. Similar durability but less stiffness as light carbon with a little less weight. Lightest outer skin we use. Backed up with Kevlar. Good for a light weight C-2 where light weight is more desired then durability and stiffness. Good option for lighter C-1s for balance between durability and weight.
Layup Description
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A little heavier and not as stiff as carbon but a lot tougher. White and black weave which gives a gray appearance. Backed up with Kevlar. Good for C-2s where durability is more desired then light weight. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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Same appearance as TeXtreme with a silvery/gray color. Same stiffness but slightly heavier then light TeXtreme but stronger because of the Inegra blend. Backed up with Kevlar. Good option for lighter C-2s and Mid weight C-1s. The beautiful silver checkerboard appearance is stunning but is our priciest outer skin. May fuzz up a little when scratched and harder to patch. A glass skin reinforcing is recomended.
Layup Description
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A non woven carbon fabric where fibers are oriented 45 deg from center line of canoe. This gives greater torsional stiffness and strength while saving weight. Backed up with Kevlar. Good layup for c-2s where you want to save some weight without sacrificing stiffness especially in racing canoes. Good tough stiff durable layup for c-1s.
Layup Description
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Woven Kevlar fabric with a fiberglass skin. Similar strength and less stiffness than carbon skin with greater weight and less cost. Yellow appearance on outside. Great entry level layup or whitewater layup with added layers of Kevlar.
Layup
Weight
Price
Carbon
Light Carbon
TeXtreme
Light TeXtreme
Carbon/Inegra
Textreme Inegra
Uni Biaxial Carbon
Kevlar
32-39 lb
1
250
350
350
0
400
150
-250
25 lbs.
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000
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Layup Comparison

Strength & Stiffness

Carbon
Light Carbon
TeXtreme
Light TeXtreme
Carbon/Inegra
Textreme Inegra
Uni Biaxial Carbon
Kevlar
Extra Reinforcing Info
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Glass Skin
A clear layer of s-gass on the outside to make a tougher skin and protect the laminate. Adds strength but also adds weight
Rock Guard
An extra layer of Kevlar under the foam core on the bottom. This will greatly increase the durability of the bottom when scraping over rocks, gravel bars and logs.
Expedition
One full extra layer of Kevlar. Adds a lot of stiffness and durability to the canoe. Great for extended wilderness expeditions as well as mild whitewater. This layup has been tested in rental canoes in the Boundary Waters with great success.
Whitewater
Extra layers of Kevlar are added with an s glass skin to build a very durable canoe capable of using on class 2 and 3 whitewater.

Reinforcing

Rock Guard
Price:
$125
Weight:
4 lb
Expedition
Price:
$225
Weight:
7 lb
Whitewater
Price:
$525
Weight:
11 lb
Glass Skin
Price:
$225
Weight:
6 lb

Inside Layer

Layup Description
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Basic inside layer for racing C-2s. Uni-Biaxial is lighter and stiffer then Kevlar or regular carbon. Used over the foam on the floor and over ribs. Color: Black with yellow between ribs
Layup Description
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Same weight and stiffness as Uni-biaxial Carbon w/ checkerboard appearance. Color: Black checkerboard with yellow between ribs

Seat Style Options

Seat Options

Other Options

Carbon Outfitting

All aluminum is replaced with carbon were possible. Thwarts, tubes and angles. Adjustable footbrace can not be changed.
Price $400
Small Carbon Deck
Description
Small flat carbon deck for mounting flash light or other accessories to. Bow up to 16" / Stern up to 11"
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Small Carbon Deck
Price
$35
Large Carbon Deck
Description
Larger flat carbon deck for mounting flash light or other accessories to. Bow up to 32" / Stern up to 28"
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Large Carbon Deck
Price
$75
Parallel Sliding Footbrace **
Description
Footbrace slides with the seat when changing trim. Slides easier than telescoping footbrace.
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Parallel Sliding Footbrace **
Price
$175
Telescoping Sliding Footbrace**
Description
Footbrace slides with the seat when changing trim. Expands and contract with the width of the canoe for widest foot spread.
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Telescoping Sliding Footbrace**
Price
$250

Outfitting

Canoe Cover
Description
Protects the canoe from damaging UV rays. Highly recommended for traveling or when ever canoe is in the sun and not in the water.
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Canoe Cover
Price
$275

Testimonials

"I was up to Algonquin a couple of weeks ago for our Wilderness Institute for Leadership Development. Another week in the woods with the new Susquehanna. This time, I ran in the bow the whole week and we ran with a heavy load. The canoe took some good hits and handled everything I threw at it very well. Thanks again for a great boat."
- Dennis Wilhite, PA
"The container arrived last Friday and we tested the boats next day and are overwhelmed. Great canoes, very well made and extremely good performers. My crew and myself are really impressed and we could easily cruise them at 10+ km/h and reached a top-speed of about 12,5 km/h, although we are currently not in the best shape. I will keep you informed about our (and – of course – YOUR success)"
- Jörg Wagner, Germany
"Liz and I paddled the Susquehanna Canoe on Sunday. The seats are great the foot brace works well . It is very stable , we had our dog in it with us with no problems with stability. Thanks John you did a good job we like it." - Bob Vincent, Ontario Canada
- Bob Vincent, Ontario Canada
"Thank you for building a first class canoe, The Susquehanna is a four season boat! After this past weekend at the Adirondack Classic we saw temperatures in the low 30's on Friday morning turning into 20 mph winds later in the day. Saturday, calm for most of the race with temps in the 70's. Sunday was a day to remember with Gail force winds and waves hitting the chest of many bow paddlers. John Potter and I are so pleased with the performance of your boat. The Susquehanna was fast off the start, handled the waves, turned extremely well in Brown's tract and handled the shallow water with a pop. We used a bow spray skirt with spray rails and along with a bailer we had no problem handling the white caps on the lakes. I would like to point out that the top 3 teams in the stock class used the Susquehanna. Thanks again,"
- Ed Wagner, NY
"I just got home from the Freestyle symposium in the ADKs. My kneeling Wee Lassie was a big hit and the most tried boat there. Several instructors tried it and there were comments on the quality of workmanship from several including Charlie Wilson. At least one person will be contacting you about purchasing one."
- Rich Lockwood, NY
"Really enjoying my Susquhanna which I have had for the past 2 yrs! Thanks for making such a GREAT canoe! Nice fast boat. VERY stable. My paddling partner and I are heading to the Yukon River Quest 2013 and are trying to track down a Susquehanna that we could rent for the race as we don't have the luxury of driving my boat the 4,500 km up there! I really hate to paddle the slower dogs out there!"
- Reijo Peltoniemi, Ontario Canada
"I don't believe I thanked you for the Susquehanna that you made for me. I got it from your shipper last year at the Canadian Border at Grand Marais. It has been a truly great boat! When I compare it to the J18 it is so much better to paddle! It has superior tracking in wind and waves and is FASTER! I have not recently paddled a Minn II but I think it is faster than that canoe as well. We had it out in 6 foot waves from a tugboat late last summer and it handled them broadside like nothing! Great fit and finish as well. My paddling partner and I have been looking at paddling the 460 mile Yukon River Quest in the Susquehanna next year and are planning atraining schedule for that. Hopefully we can get it together. Thanks again for making a great boat."
- Reijo Peltoniemi, Ontario Canada
"Great work on my Susquehanna, you're the best. The boat's even better than I hoped. Thanks."
- Wallace Houghton, RI
Just wanted to let you know that Susquehanna we just bought from you is a dream to paddle. Nice boat, well done.
Matt T. WA
05/20/21