Sevylor Colorado vs Stearns Back Country

[AdnamsGirl]

Hi

I hope that I have posted this in the right place! We are considering buying our first canoe. After much discussion and thought about how we want to use it, we have discounted buying a traditional open canoe for now and have decided upon an inflatable. The ease of transport, storage and portage have led us to make this choice. No need for me to have roof bars fitted to the car as we can just throw it in the boot and take off. Handy for local waterways plus we can take it when we go on holiday elsewhere.

It has come down to two canoes - the Sevylor Colorado or the Stearns Back Country. I have read the reviews of the Colorado on here and have also had a try out in one that belongs to a friend. I have to say that we found that it took a while to get used to it as it didn't seem to steer that well - I notice that Sevylor have now added a fin to the bottom which will presumably help with this. The other problem we encountered was that the side walls are so thick that it did make paddling a little awkward as we had to reach out over to get to the water!

The side walls on the Stearns look somewhat thinner and it also looks like it has a little more room inside (we are both quite tall and most of my height is in my legs!). The Stearns also has the advantage of packing away into a smaller bag meaning that we can also stow it away easily on board when out cruising on the Broads.

I was sent a few Youtube links where the two canoes are compared and they both seem to get favourable reviews - I know that there are at least a couple of members on here who have Colorados but has anyone actually compared the two who can give me their opinions?

Many thanks!


Carol

[canoebike]

I have never paddled a back country or colorado but I have owned other inflatables made by both companys - one being the rio (colorado's little borther).

I found the build quality was better with the the stearns, but there wasn't much difference overall. I think the colorado is probably the more popular boat, but I don't think there is a great deal of difference between the two.

If it counts for anything the Back Country is a much nicer looking boat.

Have you considered a Gumotex Palava? It took me a while to find the perfect inflatable canoe (I had 3 in 5 months until I was happy with the Gumotex) - but this is it. I can't really fault it, its a great size, amazing build quality, easy to keep clean & dry out (unlike the sevylor and stearns) it handles very well both solo and tandem with single bladed paddles (so no need to get drenched with kayak paddles), its quick to inflate and even quicker to pack away. It is quite a bit bigger than the other two inflatables but still packs down to a reasonable size in a high quality dry bag/rucksack (it is bigger than the other canoes to store,but not by much). It is well worth the extra money.

Good Luck.

[zero]

I've got a Sevylor Rio (the single seater equivalent of Colorado) and a Stearns Backcountry so I sort of fit the bill.

I've done a review here.
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=10681

The sides of the backcountry are indeed flatter which gives it more of a canoe look and makes paddling easier.

The Rio is more like a Sit on top and really needs to be paddled with a kayak paddle.

I found the backcountry to be fairly easy to paddle with a single canoe blade, but they are inflatables and it will always be hard work keeping them in a straight line compared to a plastic canoe and you won't be winning many races.

Unfortunately that's the trade off for the advantage of easy transportation and storeage

Having said that I think both canoes are good quality. I couldn't decide between the Colorado and the Backcountry.

In the end I was swayed by the canoe looks of the backcountry.

I was adviced to take out the seats and paddle in a kneeling position which I haven't tried yet, but I think it may give a better position than the seats (which are not particularly comfy).

It's hard to get any dealer to open one up and demo it, but if you do get chance to try before you buy it would be better.
Perhaps there will be a nearby backcountry owner on here who would let you have a go.

Zero

[DanDan]

me, zero and a few others were debating this very subject last year on the following thread,

http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/for...ead.php?t=5720

Zero, I see you didnt take my advice on buying a red Stearns, let me know how long it takes before it fades to pink

Good luck

[gorb]

I'm new to this forum, having joined just today. But - I've had a Colorado for about 6 weeks now (my first canoe) and make the following points;

1. I'm impressed with the quality of the Colorado. I've now done two river transits as well as some loch touring. Rivers are low just now and a fair amount of scraping was involved (River Balvag and Tay Grandtully to Dunkeld). Even as a new, proud owner, I decided not to worry about damage and just go for it! The Colorado is unscathed and the bottom shows no signs of damage (but see below).

2. As noted elsewhere, the Colorado comes with a small plastic skeg which clips onto the keel moulding just about below the rear seat. This works well and helps tracking enormously. You have to decide BEFORE inflation whether you want to fit this, as it is the inflated stiffness of the canoe that holds it in place. If it comes adrift (has not happened to me) you have to deflate, clip in, then reinflate. However, coming down the Tay yesterday, especially not long after Grandtully, we took a lot a bashing and scraping and I realised that the skeg had gone - the plastic had probably fractured under the impacts, although it survived the Balvag. I now am thinking about an alternative arrangement, either like what is demonstrated elsewhere on this site (there is a video) or else an arrangement which would be ideal, where the skeg can bounce up out the water under impact (like an outboard engine on a dinghy).

3. One of the reasons I chose the Colorado over others (I wanted a tandem) is that it is rated to just about carry enough load for a short camping trip. But space would be very limited.

4. The seats are fantastically comfortable. It really is possible on a gentle river current, to sit back, relax and just drift.

5. Paddles - Brookbank recommended double ended paddles and solo I would think (as a beginner) that is the only way to go with the poorish tracking (even with the skeg). Tandem, then I find canoe single-ended paddles perfect. My solution was to buy take apart double paddles (what's the point of a canoe packed in the boot if the paddles have to go on the roof?) and then carved wooden handles to plug into the end of each half. This gives single paddles that are shorter than the general recommended length, but in the Colorado, with its seating position, seem to me to be fine.

6. Somewhere else on the forum there was a comment about stepping into an inflatable (may have been a Stearns). I don't have a particularly good sense of balance, and I now draw my pension, but I find the Colorado so stable that when it is afloat I happily step into it prior to sitting down.

I'm a real beginner, so please excuse if any of the above it teaching my granny to suck eggs, or duplicates stuff elsewhere. Hope it's helpful.

Gorb

[zero]

Zero, I see you didnt take my advice on buying a red Stearns, let me know how long it takes before it fades to pink

I had no choice.
I convinced Mrs Zero that it was her idea to buy it and then she insisted on picking the colour. (damm selfish I say)

When it turns pink I will buy a matching pink BA & one of those pink paddles as well.

Zero

[AdnamsGirl]

Many thanks for the replies - some very useful information to weigh up .... but I'm still no nearer to making a decision!

I did look at the Gumotex Palava but the much higher cost really rules that one out for us. I was also not sure about the seating in the Palava as it looks as though you are perched on top .... with my attrocious sense of balance I rather like the idea of actually sitting in the canoe. I have to agree that the Stearns does look nicer (especially in DanDan's superb photos on the other thread) but really need to see one in the flesh. I am hoping that a local supplier will have them on display so that we can go and have a look at the weekend.

It is unlikely that it will be used as a solo, so I think we will go for single bladed paddles rather than the kayak type - from what my friend told me about using a double blade on his Colorado, and from other comments I've read, it seems that getting wet is inevitable using these! I think he had the Sevylor combo paddles that could be used either way, but we found that they were a bit too short for us when using them as single paddles, so that is something else I will have to look into and make sure that we get something that we are comfortable with.

As a complete beginner any advice given is greatfully recieved, so many thanks for all your help. I think we are leaning towards the Back Country at the moment (in green), but need to try out my friend's Colorado again before making a final decision - I will let you know how we get on!

Carol

[The Ken]

Here is one (Palava) on ebay just now with postage available and a buy it now of £365, I nearly went for it when it was last listed but I don't really like the colour (it didn't sell last time). There are loads of closeups on his website. It does appear to be a slightly older model as I can't see the fittings for a third seat but that wouldn't sway me.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GUMOTEX-PALAVA...QQcmdZViewItem

[canoebike]

I did look at the Gumotex Palava but the much higher cost really rules that one out for us. I was also not sure about the seating in the Palava as it looks as though you are perched on top .... with my attrocious sense of balance I rather like the idea of actually sitting in the canoe.

The seating position is much closer to a real open canoe in the Gumotex and if you paddle in the kneeling position the centre of gravity is still fairly low - even when sitting, the boat is fairly stable- although I would much rather be kneeling in rougher conditions. When I first got the canoe I did find it a little more wobbly than my old sevylor, but once you get use to it it feels very stable!

That secondhand one posted above looks like it could be a good deal -although it does appear to be the older model. From my experience I would prefer a second hand Gumotex to a new stearns/sevylor. Not sure I would pay £365 though, for £350 it would be a good deal.

*The front seat looks different - this might just be a foam pad for comfort or a home made replacement, might be worth looking into if you do decide to go for it. May also be worth asking for close uppicturesof the scratches, if they don't look deep then it's nothing to be concerned about as its a tough boat, but does get light cosmetic surface scratches easily.

[rogerp]

Hi all. Brand new member . My wife Barbara & I bought a colorado last week. We live in Ulverston Cumbria , so nice & close to Coniston. This is our first canoe and we're both in our early 60s. Thats the main reason for getting an inflatable. Couldn't manage rigid canoe onto car roof. We both thought we did really well for our first paddle managed to keep it quite straight (maybe due to the new fin) . Even gave our English Setter 'Bramble' a 10 minute trial.. he was very good only distracted by a family of ducks, thank goodness didn't try to pursue!!! But all in all found the colorado very easy to manouvre. very robust, quick to inflate but as earlier letter not so quick to deflate.. those horrible lilo valves for the base. extremely comfortable with the bucket seats. Love it.... Will let you know how we progress. rogerp.

[AdnamsGirl]

I had seen the Palava on Ebay ... crikey ... you wouldn't miss me coming in that one! If it was a bit nearer to home then I might have gone and had a look but I don't think I could spend that much money without checking it out in the flesh first ..... not entirely sure that I could live with a shocking blue canoe though!

Roger - many thanks for your report on the Colorado. It doesn't feel quite right saying welcome to the forum when I've only just joined myself, but I'll say it anyway! I look forward to hearing more about how you get on with it.

I'm not going to rush into a purchase, I'll take my time and weigh up all the options. My friend has said that we can use his Colorado when we want as it's all tolled up for Broads use this year, so we will certainly have a couple more paddles out in that one before buying something of our own. I feel a weekend camping trip coming on!


Carol

[kimakazie]

I just thought i would let everyone who is interested in inflatables know that Advanced Elements have a New 14ft 4 inch Inflatable canoe on the market ,at this length it certainly wouldent be cramped and would be ideal for the camping trips etc, and still be small enough to put in the boot of the car check it out here

http://www.advancedelementskayaks.co...-canoe-package

[DanDan]

I just thought i would let everyone who is interested in inflatables know that Advanced Elements have a New 14ft 4 inch Inflatable canoe on the market ,at this length it certainly wouldent be cramped and would be ideal for the camping trips etc, and still be small enough to put in the boot of the car check it out here

http://www.advancedelementskayaks.co...-canoe-package

now that looks interesting, also the picture seems to show that you can either add another seat for a third person or change the seating position for solo use.

Very very expensive though.

DanDan

[Robski]

I have just purchased a 2008 Colorado. My only prior experience of kayaking was a sit on top that I had in New Zealand and did a fair few miles on on lakes. I am now in the UK and went out yesterday in my Colorado. I am 100 KG and my mate who came along is 90 KG. Firstly it tracked amazinly well and that was without the skeg. Far better than expected and also far faster through the water than expected. We arent interested in racing but certainly put our foot down so to speak a few times and had quite a wake behind us. It was super comfortable, honestly like sitting in a comfy chair and I had my legs crossed much of the time but there is ample room for two 6 foot plus blokes. I purposely took a fair bit of gear and it all fitted easily. The boats looks are fantastic. Looks very rugged and purposeful. All in all lots and lots of postives and Im really chuffed with it and far cooler than my old sit on top . Easy to get in and out of the water as well and easy to get in and out of as well. the minuses? WEll, it deflated 50 percent within an hour. It was warm when I inflated it and the water temperature was very low so I am guessing the temperature affected the pressure. Inflated it again further down the river and it stayed up no problems. Not overly impressed with the boston valves. Seems important to tighten them hard, but the plastic is soft and concerned about them double threading. Also the normal valves are a bit ropey, no better than you get on a li-low!!! But all in all, I think its great. We felt like real adventurers and wouldnt have felt like that in many other inflatables on the market. Not remotely embarassing to be seen in. I had also tried the Stearns Back country, but only in the shop. It is roomier and looks nice, but it cannot carry as much weight which is crucial with me being 100 KG. Also the seats on it were terrible and offer no support. It was a close run thing but so glad to have gone the way I did. All in all the columbus is rugged, looks great, tracked fine, great through the water (but of course no racer) and I was more pleased with it than expected.

[Mal Grey]

Just a quick note on the "deflating with temperature change" point above (my review is in the canoe reviews section).
Having changed from a "bellows" pump to a "stirrup" pump, the need to inflate again after a few minutes paddling seems to have completely disappeared. I now never have to add air after setting off.

I picked the Colorado over the Stearns on 2 things - weight capacity & seating. I do agree the Stearns looks better though! I'm very happy with mine, especially the stability. Took it out in Runswick bay in Yorks on Saturday (there was a lifeboat display so I felt very safe! Especially with incoming tide & onshore wind!). Even paddling at right angles to the incoming waves it felt like it would never flip over.

Those lilo valves are an absolute pain, especially when deflating the floor & rolling it up. Takes a minimum of 15 mins to get it packed, & that's without any drying.

[rcai]

I lost the skeg during a lake trip and desperately looking for a new one. Without it my boat just goes in circles when it is windy.

Because I'm not getting any replies from the dealer and the manufacture, I'm thinking to cut one myself. So, what I need now is a diagram of the original skeg with precision.
Can anyone help?

Don't know if I'm posting at the right place.
Thanks!

[helixpteron]

This UK Company is advertising Sevylor skegs for £15:95 (3rd item from bottom of page).

http://www.roho.co.uk/acatalog/Robin...ghies_210.html

Or ask the question on Folding Kayaks.Org

http://foldingkayaks.org/

Or contact The Boat People, inflatable boat specialists.

http://www.theboatpeople.com/

Robski,
You should always allow a few minutes for the pumped or orally inflated cells to cool, then top up.

If you have any dark or black coloured inflated chambers, don't overfill and leave in very bright sunlight!

[oldeng]

I will photograph the skeg and post it.

Regards

Vic

[Tsing]

I'm trying to decide between the colorado and the back country and wondered which had more room and/or was better for carrying gear on short camping trips

thanks

[jamk]

I have just purchased a Stearns Back country and have been very pleased with it. It paddles very well with a double paddle, especially if you kneel if you are on your own. With the single blade kneeling is by far the easiest option., particularly if you transfer your weight to the paddling side as you would in a hard shell canoe. Paddling in a straight line is simple enough with a single blade without the skegs providing you are competent at your c and j strokes. To get the canoe moving in a straight line I always sart of with two or three strong c strokes then revert to the normal j stroke. If the blade is angled under the canoe on the power stroke this helps maintain a straight line. I have now paddled on the river Dee ( Aberdeenshire ) and find it handles well in fast moving water.. I also back packed it into Loch Muick ( you can find it on Google ) A mile walk in - inflated canoe and paddled the length of the loch with my wife, had a picnic and paddled back , on the way back the wind increased to about 15-20 mph while we were crosing the loch - no problem, the canoe tracked very well and coped easily with the waves. Total paddling distance 4 miles. I have also been on the sea visiting a few islands around the Summer isles . I used a double paddle for the longer crossings and a single blade for nipping around rocks and close inshore. All in all a very capable canoe for the money. ( I do agree the seats need uprating ).
JAMK

[Mel B]

The seating position is much closer to a real open canoe in the Gumotex and if you paddle in the kneeling position the centre of gravity is still fairly low - even when sitting, the boat is fairly stable- although I would much rather be kneeling in rougher conditions. When I first got the canoe I did find it a little more wobbly than my old sevylor, but once you get use to it it feels very stable!

That secondhand one posted above looks like it could be a good deal -although it does appear to be the older model. From my experience I would prefer a second hand Gumotex to a new stearns/sevylor. Not sure I would pay £365 though, for £350 it would be a good deal.

*The front seat looks different - this might just be a foam pad for comfort or a home made replacement, might be worth looking into if you do decide to go for it. May also be worth asking for close uppicturesof the scratches, if they don't look deep then it's nothing to be concerned about as its a tough boat, but does get light cosmetic surface scratches easily.

That was our Palava - it did sell - I think we got £350 in the end plus postage - went to a nice chap down south for him and his family. Last we heard they'd had it out on the water and absolutely loved it! The 'foam' pad sitting on the seat was actually one of those garden kneelers - as the seats were a composite wood type material they were a bit hard after a while!

[Mel B]

I had seen the Palava on Ebay ... crikey ... you wouldn't miss me coming in that one! If it was a bit nearer to home then I might have gone and had a look but I don't think I could spend that much money without checking it out in the flesh first ..... not entirely sure that I could live with a shocking blue canoe though!

Carol

We bought the Palava from Germany as it was much cheaper from there, it was a case of get a blue one or pay anther £50 to get a green one, so we got the blue one and wore sunglasses!

[jamiemagee]

Looked at both of these and talked to people in the shop (GW Doling, Barrow) Decided on the Colorado and very happy with it. Tracks well, plenty of storage space in it and managed pretty well for a few hours on windemere despite the steamers. Coniston next time. Only draw back is drying the thing! Thought it may be water repellent like tents but otherwise really enjoyed it so far!! A good buy.