"The visual impact of the Baboosic is almost palpable; such is the level of the craftsmanship evident in its construction. So much so, that I have even had non-canoeists comment on it. Once the boat is on the water, it becomes readily apparent that the same level of craftsmanship went into its design, as well. I can only echo the sentiment expressed in one of the previous reviews: this is the finest little boat I have ever paddled. Having said that, I add this caveat: no matter how much some readers may desire that these reviews be objective, there is always one large subjective variable --the individual paddler with their biases, their preferences, and their unique skill-level, all of which influence their objectivity. One paddler's hard-tracking boat that's easy to turn with a 'bit' of lean is another paddler's hard-tracker that resists turning unless leaned precariously, even if the degree of lean is the same for both paddlers.

The Baboosic is not a hard tracker, though it tracks, and glides, surprisingly well for a boat with 3 inches of rocker. It also is not difficult to hold into the wind. Nor does it weather cock in a following wind. If you're looking for a boat that carves graceful turns; the Baboosic is not it; the symetrical rocker causes the stern to 'skid' around in a turn. But the boat will turn on a dime. Some people characterize this boat as initially skittish. I do not. The Baboosic, as noted in other reviews, will lock to the rail when leaned. Even the slightest lean induces that feel of 'push-back', which increases the more one leans. Once one is aware of this, feelings of initial 'tenderness' become a moot point, and you find yourself not even thinking about it. The boat is 30 inches wide at the paddling station. Whether one likes that, or not, is a personal preference. It's not an issue for me. The seat, strung with extremely taut nylon cord, is the most comfortable canoe seat I've ever placed my derrierre on, upwards to 7 hours at a stretch. I've taken this boat on week long camping trips. It handled the load and various conditions encountered with aplomb.

Lastly, I have never paddled a boat like the Baboosic. It's so light and responsive on the water, it's like paddling a leaf. I feel like I am part of the experience; not an intruder. It's canoeing the way I think it should be."
-Jack Wagner

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"I was fortunate enough to be one of the first people to have one of the Kevlar versions of the Baboosic. Everything said about the handling is right on track. But the quality of the boat, the attention to detail, and the craftsmanship all set this boat apart from any of the competition. I could only compare the beauty of this canoe with some of the high dollar cedar strips I've seen. All around, the finest little boat I've ever paddled. I've heard that Merrimack is back in production. Excellent! This type of craftsmanship needs to be around for a long, long time!"
- Bill Hunter

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Excerpted from CANOE & KAYAK MAGAZINE - March 1998 Issue

BABOOSIC

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This 14-foot canoe has strictly classic lines; slightly recurved stems, substantial curve in the shear, and little tumblehome to the sides. The traditional heritage (and the hull) is reinforced with thin cherry ribs. The Baboosic has great visual appeal, and I particularly noted the meticulous craftsmanship of the wood trim, attention to detail and superb finish. The Baboosic is my pick for best looking boat in the review.

Inside the hull, cherry ribs shine with a coat of resin, and the bottom (where additional half ribs form a stiff diamond shape) is covered with a layer of clear three-quarter-ounce fiberg1ass mat. The grain structure and color of the ribs add striking beauty to this canoe.

Two sculpted cherry thwarts are standard, adding a lightweight, pleasing accent while giving great stiffness. The hull is rigid and stiff throughout its entire length.

All fasteners are recessed. Gunwales, thwarts, seat frame, and handles are all rounded and sanded smooth. End flotation chambers are installed "upside down," tucked under the cherry decks. I'm not sure why, but the result is to maintain the appearance of a classic wood-rib canoe that has no end tank.

A small brass stem band remnant drooping over the deck to the upper stem evokes the traditional brass stem band of a canvas canoe, as it provides a bang plate to reduce wear damage if the stem touches the ground.

Stems are partially recurved to contribute to the traditional lines. When you look along the waterline of the hull, the entry line appears quite fine. Thwarts are fastened to inwales with two stainless fasteners on each side. With the cherry ribs joined between the inwale and cutwale, the Baboosic has very narrow slots just as would be found in a rib-and-plank canoe. Slots allow water to completely drain out. Decks are perfectly fitted to inwales, no filler noted. The curved shape of the deck is reflected by a curved side on the adjacent handle and deck came from the same piece of cherry, but examination of the grain indicated otherwise - suggesting the the matched curve is intentional.

Merrimack pays attention to small details.

OUTFITTING

The Baboosic seat is fixed and hung from the inwales. The seat frame is strung with nylon cord to produce a stiff, comfortable, traditional seat. Wood spacers have been shaped to eliminate sharp edges as well as to match the width of the inwale. It's such details that give Merrimack canoes a real sense of elegance of construction. Even though hung, the seat is very rigid side-to-side --- quite impressive.

There is no foot brace in this canoe, and I probably wouldn't put one in. It's very traditional in appearance and construction, and I'd look first to paddling it in a kneeling position.

PADDLING PERFORMANCE

A strongly arched cross section and unusual amount (three inches) of rocker suggest a canoe that sacrifices initial stability and stiff tracking for the kind of handling demanded by experienced paddlers, and this turns out to be the case. In fact, the Baboosic evoked feelings of something from paddling's past -- a mystery until Randy Pew, designer and owner of Merrimack Canoe, explained that the Baboosic plan is based on the lines of the well-known Prospector. It paddles very much that way too. If you like a Prospector, you'll like the Baboosic.

On calm water the Baboosic does not rest at a single stable position. The arched hull produces wiggle, and depending on your paddling skill, it may feel tender. I got used to it, and while I wouldn't call the Baboosic very initial-ly stable, it is not uncomfortable on calm water. The Baboosic turns easily and yaws quite a bit with each stroke. My initial impression is that this boat is one for a moderately experienced paddler or someone willing to get that way. New Paddlers shouldn't shy away: the Baboosic will encourage and reward good paddling technique, and probably rather quickly.

Width at the paddling position is a little over 31 Inches. When seated, I have to reach more than I would prefer. Dropping knees into the chine, and paddling the Baboosic in the leaned-over northwoods style, this canoe becomes an absolute delight: feather light on the water, absolutely quiet through calm water, with just wonderful control! From this position, the rail drops easily to the water and can be brought up effortlessly. Fine final stability! Merrimack advocates the Baboosic as a potential freestyle boat should a paddler choose to use it so, and I would agree. This canoe Is a lot of fun for messing around on calm water, doing freestyle moves, and just generally playing.

When it's time to move, this "baby brook" goes with surprising speed for a short canoe. The Baboosic did not test out as fast as some of the other boats, but on a subjective level, it has as good a glide feeling as any of the other boats when paddled at average cruising speed. With a heavy load, it still cruises well and runs nearly as dry as when empty; it would be a mistake to think of this as only a play boat.

Some canoes have a "softness" in waves, and the Baboosic is such a canoe. Hitting a wave, the bow rises as expected, but rather that slap or pound subsequent waves, the bow drops gently and softly --- a rare treat in any canoe. Paddling in waves reflected off concrete walls in the cut, the Baboosic is also "soft." It was the most consistent canoe in the review for handling quartering waves.

The term "flighty" almost describes the feeling of paddling this boat unloaded. It is so light on the water that those who are used to feeling a hull carving through water may feel more like a feather bouncing on top. I suspect that the flighty sensation is the price one pays for having high rocker and convex stem shapes. For some paddlers it may feel different, but it is something one would get used to and probably appreciate over time. I like it.

After initial strokes with a straight paddle, I tried a bentshaft and the boat tracked well enough that I could get three to four strokes on the side, which is about average. The Baboosic responds with a yaw to a paddle stroke because of the rocker, but I'd be sure to take my bent-shaft paddle along --especially when the canoe is loaded.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE

To me, this is a paddler's canoe. it's fun, but it demands and rewards attention and good paddling skills. It's an outstanding boat to use for playing around and for day trips. Paddlers of all sizes felt comfortable. On a long trip, I think it gives up some efficiency and returns the pleasure of paddling in a classic style in a classic boat. No apology is needed when carrying gear. The Baboosic runs dry and plenty quick with a load.

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Excerpted from PADDLER MAGAZINE - October 1997 Issue

12 Top Solo
Touring Canoes

By Tom Hall

TOURING CANOES:

The Baboosic by Merrimack is the love-at-first-sight canoe, the first to capture the fancy because it is a singularly beautiful classical canoe, with lines created on the aesthetic of form and function. Its proportions, dimensions, curves and contours all shape and fit so the whole becomes the perfect consummation of the parts.

Its hull is fiberglass or Kevlar laid very thin around ribs of cherry wood: a rare but powerful fusion of old wood and new boatbuilding that makes a canoe that could rightly become a museum piece. But it's not too precious to launch, nor be defiled if dinged.

The initial worry is that it might be too pretty to paddle well, but it's light as a leaf on the water, and its surge with the first stroke dispels all doubts. It's quick to turn and might feel a bit ethereal, but the knack of managing it comes early on. For a touring canoe it proves agreeable on straight courses, and it even has volume enough to carry a fair-sized load. As a tourer it keeps its charm over the long haul, even though it has other commitments. As a canoe it was the sentimental favorite of boats tested - "Perfect in every way," said a rowing-coach-test-paddler.

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Larry Graubner

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