Bear Mountain Boat Shop - Wooden Canoe and Kayak Kits and Plans

Freedom 17
a modern efficient tripping canoe

Canadian yacht designer Steve Killing might be better known for his America's Cup sailing designs, but his canoes are just as spectacular. Designed with precision and care

· Length 17'
· Maximum beam 33.4"
· Beam waterline 31.75"
· Beam gunnel 32.5"
· Bow height 19.25"
· Centre depth 13.25"
· Draft 4.25"
· Displacement 420 lbs.
· Wetted surface 30.15 sq.ft.
· Weight to immerse 143.8 lb/in
· Prismatic coefficient 0.567
· Weight 45 to 55 lbs
Price: $69.00

© Designed by Steve Killing
Steve Killing Yacht Design

The Freedom line of canoes are built in high quality synthetic materials by Bluewater Canoes, Guelph, Ontario.

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The Freedom 17 features an asymmetrical hull with a slim bow, a maximum beam just aft of the middle and filled out stern sections to reduce the resistance. The gently rockered profile lets the boat turn with ease. Because of the slight tumblehome this canoe is a wonderful solo boat, but most of the time it can be found heading off on canoe trips with two avid canoeists on board. A fast responsive tripping canoe that's also easy to build.

Freedom 17 built at Ted Moores' canoe course.

Testimonials:
I built a Freedom 17 and love the way it paddles. It's very fast, but stable and carries a good amount of gear. I paddle it with my girlfriend most often (I weigh 190lbs and she 135 lbs). We tried a sliding bow seat, but it didn't really do anything, so I moved the rear seat slightly foward from the plans in Canoecraft and we just move around gear to trim out the boat.

We just took the canoe on a trip this last weekend with about 150 pounds of gear arranged in three packs and our fishing gear chucked in where it would fit, and we out ran everything on the water, including a empty alumimun canoe with a couple of beefy guys wanting to race us.

I'v paddled almost every canoe from Old Town, Bell Canoe, and a couple from Wenonah. Out of all of them I like the Freedom 17 the best. A friend of mine has a Bell Northwind Kevlar, and he enjoys my canoe more.

Everyone likes their canoes a little different, but the Freedom 17 carries the gear I need, moves fast enough to crank out the milage (we've done 24 in a day with it), and the lines look good. I'd give it a shot.