Hou Canoes Phoenix - Review

I've had various canoes over the years, some quite specialised and others more all rounders but always at least 15-16 feet long. This seems to be 'the norm' for UK paddlers because historically, these boats have been designed, predominantly for the North American market as tandem craft. Even the British manufacturers adopted this because it is what we; the consumer are accustomed to seeing even though us Brits choose to paddle them solo most of the time.

Loaded for an overnight trip in the Lake District

Now a 15 or 16 foot boat causes us some issues, particularly when it comes to storage, transporting and lifting. There is no getting away from the fact that they're large bulky items that are difficult, particularly for smaller, slighter paddlers to load, unload from the car and carry to and from the water. So why not design a canoe that is smaller (and therefore lighter) which is specifically aimed at solo paddlers who want the option to paddle tandem if needed? Well that's exactly what Hou Canoes did and the Phoenix is the result. Coming in at 14' 3" this is certainly a smaller boat but unlike other similar sized canoes it doesn't compromise on performance or carrying capacity.

I've been paddling my Phoenix for almost a year now and I've really tried to test it in a range of environments where the British paddler may find themselves; multiday Great Glen, River Spey & Wye trips, sailing on a choppy sea, local flat water days and whitewater up to grade 3+. It hasn't just managed these, it's excelled. So what is it about this little boat that makes it so capable without compromise?

Speed.

I've often found shorter canoes to be slow and laborious but the Phoenix is actually quicker to accelerate than a longer boat but still keeps up whilst cruising with the longer Prospectors etc. due to the hull shape and the proportional length to width ratio.

Manoeuvrability.

One can expect a 14 foot boat to be more nimble than a 16 and it does not disappoint. I can execute fast and effortless direction changes, particularly whilst surfing and running rapids which open up more of the river and more opportunities for me to play. Possible not just because of the length but also because of the rocker profile and radiused ends which allow it to turn on a sixpence, especially with a little edge, this brings me nicely onto...

Ferry gliding on the River Tees

Stability.

As a scaled down version of a Prospector-style design the width of the Phoenix is reduced in line with the length. This of course can compromise stability so careful consideration was given to the hull shape to make sure that paddlers stay confident and any edge changes are smooth and predictable. My version is the highline and I can confidently (in calm water) edge the boat all the way until the gunwhale is wet.

A novice having a go at poling on the River Usk

Freeboard.

As I've said, I choose to paddle the highline which obviously gives me more freeboard on whitewater keeping the waves out but does increase my exposure to the wind when I'm on open water. As I do alot of expedition work I need the ability to carry more equipment so this suits me here again. I get around this windage through my understanding of the design features above and controlling how my hull interacts with the water to keep me in control. Good coaching will help with this and ultimately try both a lowline and a highline and by considering your intended use you will end up with the boat that suits you best.

Armathwaite Falls on the River Eden in Cumbria

Outfitting.

When I first ordered my Phoenix I'd never owned a 14 foot boat before and wasn't sure if my usual outfitting choices would work so I asked the guys to fit just the yoke and one of the seats and I fitted everything else myself. This is the beauty of buying directly from the manufacturer. You can have everything about your new boat made to your specification. Even the colours can be customised to make your boat look unique.

Freshly outfitted before it's maiden voyage

Weight.

Polyethelene canoes are never going to match composite boats for weight but their durability and low cost compared to the fancy lightweight models makes it a no brainer, particularly in the UK where our rivers are low volume and often rocky. Plus, a smaller boat means less plastic so less weight and easier portages.

Conclusion.

All in all I've really enjoyed my time in the Hou Phoenix this past year, it's a joy to paddle, looks stunning and has exceeded my expectations across all of the paddling I do. I'd recommend that anyone looking for a new all rounder to demo one.

Visit www.houcanoes.com to lean more.

Sailing with the Royal Air Force off the coast of Sauth Wales