Shown in Carbon Fusion - Granite over Apple, Carbon Kevlar Trim with Carbon Sliding Seat and Footbar

Performance Solo / Solo

Cruiser 16.8 Solo

This fast, lightweight performance canoe is a masterful extension of Swift’s signature designs and an adventurer’s dream. The Cruiser 16’8” boats an ample waterline, significant tumblehome, and hybridized features of both marathon racing and expedition canoes, and does exactly what its name implies. Whether you’re an expedition tripper or a casual racer, you can expect impressive tracking, bountiful speed, and remarkable seaworthiness. For middle to larger sized paddlers who seek efficiency and versatility to suit an adventurous lifestyle, the Cruiser 16’8” represents a new era of highly stylized design for the wilderness adventurer.

Ideal For; Larger Paddlers, Multi Day Tripping, Marathon Canoe Racing, Fitness Paddling

Standard Options: Carbon Kevlar Trim, Carbon Tech Package, Carbon Sliding Seat with Carbon Footbar

Shown in Carbon Fusion - Granite over Apple, Carbon Kevlar Trim with Carbon Sliding Seat and Footbar

  • Optimum Load Range: 180 - 320 lbs
  • Industry Capacity: 475 lbs
  • Hull Shape: Asymmetrical
Specifications Options Reviews

Specifications

  • 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: .5"

Laminates & Weights

Carbon Kevlar Trim
  • Kevlar Fusion33 lbs
  • Carbon Fusion31 lbs
Read more about our laminates
Read more about our trim systems

Training and Racing

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 25, 2024

As a marathon canoe racer in my 60s, I found that I just never found myself in my very expensive “pro boats”. There was a ton of money just sitting there unused on windy days. I saw the 16’8” Swift Cruizer at the Toronto Boat Show saw a different way. ( Old saying)” Race in the boat you train in”…. Man o man, I tried the boat and I was sold. Great in rough water, fast and nimble, tracks great and it will corner really well. The 16.8 is my forever boat!

Craig Creighton

Cruiser 16.8 - WOW

Rated 5.0 out of 5
April 13, 2022

Yesterday I picked up my new Cruiser 16.8 at Collinsville Canoe. Today I went for my first paddle. Wow, what a boat!

I have to admit that when I first read about this boat I was a little skeptical of the idea of a marriage of a marathon boat and a tripping boat. I couldn’t imagine combining the two without losing the best attributes of each. Boy was I surprised. The first thing I noticed about the boat, and frankly my first concern, was the stability. This boat is as stable as any I own. It’s fast, tracts straight and carves a great turn. I was amazed. Finally, the boat is beautiful. You’ve got a real winner here. Thank you and David Yost for creating a great boat.

John Wilson

Swift Cruiser 16.8 - Beautiful and fast too

Rated 5.0 out of 5
March 2, 2022

Swift is building an updated/upgraded Shockwave/DY Special solo canoe by Dave Yost ? !

Please and thank you. I’ll have mine in Carbon Fusion !

I 2nd the comment above about its offside lean turning ability. Makes getting through the twisty Mangrove tunnels and small creeks here in SW Florida a breeze.

The Cruiser holds a line very well and is certainly fast. After an evening of island hopping in the Intercoastal with a kayak group recently another paddler remarked “did we just get dusted by a canoe?! “ 😉

Love the Cruiser 16.8 and while it certainly would be at ease as a racer I’ve found it super stable and versatile even with my paddle partner “Rudolph” on an 8 mi tour

Swifts build quality constantly receives raves from other paddlers. THANKS!

Don Zero

The Cruiser is the best!!

Rated 5.0 out of 5
February 7, 2022

The Cruiser is a modern remake of a boat we all loved in the 80’s – the DY Special. I remember other racers telling me it was a touring canoe, and then I beat them all in the 1983 USCA Nationals. The Swift Cruiser is even better, because it has the same awesome and easy cruise speed, but this canoe comes with better seaworthiness and a feeling of even more volume and stability. I’ve taken it out into 3 foot waves on a big lake and felt completely safe and dry. But my favorite thing about the Cruiser is how fun it is on a lean turn. I raced it in the Adirondack 90 Miler and had a blast in the windy, twisty turnfest of Brown’s Tract. I even passed the fastest 4-man race team in the tract because I could whip that solo around with such control. Don’t miss paddling this epic solo and design masterpiece by Dave Yost

Terry Kent

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