Story by Dave Curtis original owner of Curtis Canoe & current owner of Hemlock Canoe:
The Dragonfly was originally a Curtis Canoe model designed by Harold Deal. After the closing of Curtis Canoe by then owner John Renner the mold was passed on to Paul Mayer at Colden Canoe and then ultimately on to Bill Swift at Swift Canoe & Kayak in Canada. The design has been mistakenly listed as a David Yost design, that is incorrect. The discussion for that design was started by Harold on a trip to BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota) back in 1983 with David Yost & myself. It was the main topic of discussion all the way out and back. Several innovative features were discussed including the side shoulder. Upon return I asked Harold to send me a complete list of the features he wanted in this canoe and I forwarded them to David Yost and commissioned the building of the plug. The wood strip plug was then paddled extensively by Harold and some changes were made before building the mold. This design was originated by Harold to compete in the ACA (American Canoe Association) White Water Solo Combined Class (same equipment paddled in downriver as well as the slalom event). The first 2 Dragonflies were delivered to Harold at the 1984 White Water Nationals at Nantahala in North Carolina where Harold would dominate that class for at least a decade.
Harold’s original concept was a flat water design capable of whitewater. On a trip to everglades in the early 1990’s he suggested he wanted to do another similar design but rather a whitewater design capable of flat water. He said he wanted to flip-flop his idea. The result was the SRT (Solo River Tripper), which he designed and built the wood strip plug for, he & I then built that mold together. The SRT is currently available thru Hemlock Canoe Works.
By: Joe Geronimo:
Currently Swift Canoe & Kayak has the original Dragonfly mold and will only be producing 15 of these canoes unless they decide to invest in creating a new mold. Back in late May 2023 I was in contact with Bill Swift of Swift Canoe & Kayak in Gravenhurst Ontario Canada. Bill had a brand new Dragonfly for a customer in Pennsylvania outside of Pittsburgh. On the first weekend of June I was heading to the Western Pennsylvania Solo Canoe Rendezvous in Slippery Rock, PA just north of Pittsburgh. Bill and I came up with a plan to meet in Buffalo, NY where I would take possession of the Dragonfly and transport it to its owner at the event.
I personally have not ever paddled a Dragonfly and over the course of the weekend I spent sometime in the boat and fell in love with it. I loved it’s depth for my big feet (Size 13) as they easily slide under the seat for when I’m kneeling. It’s initial stability is really twitchy but the secondary stability is rock solid and I just love the narrowness of the boat. On the long drive home I had time to think and decided I wanted a Dragonfly. A few days later I contacted Bill and I ordered my Dragonfly. Instead of shipping it I will be heading up to Ontario in the beginning of September to pick it up and spend some time in Algonquin Park. Cannot wait for this adventure, cheers!
Joe Geronimo 