Impulse 13 in Kevlar Carbon "Fish Finder"

Read the fish story at the end, bill

The Impulse 13 is an incredibly versatile canoe, perfect for canoeing, kayaking, or rowing. It's great for streams, lakes, pond hopping, and open water, and many adventurers have gone on remarkable journeys with it. From the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (740 miles from Old Forge, NY to Fort Kent, ME) to the Susquehanna 444 (444 miles from Cooperstown, NY to Havre de Grace, MD on Chesapeake Bay) to the entire Mississippi River (from Lake Itasca, MN to the Gulf of Mexico), the Impulse is a top choice. Its portability makes it ideal for portaging and trips to small ponds where carrying capacity is key. And, its lightweight design makes loading and one trip portages a breeze.

The Impulse 13 offers superior tracking compared to other canoes in its length range, thanks to its shallow V hull that quickly responds to steering. It provides excellent stability, allowing paddlers to focus on the amazing glide rather than staying upright. The low profile design minimizes wind resistance, making it easy to maintain course in windy conditions. Waves up to 12”-24” are easily handled, and the lightweight design of just 19 pounds allows for the option of tandem paddling. The Impulse truly meets a variety of paddling needs.  

Choose from various seating positions to ensure proper trim while paddling with gear or a canine companion. You can also easily adjust your propulsion preference with a kayak paddle, canoe paddle or oars for rowing. Enjoy increased comfort, boat control, and drive with adjustable footrests. The Impulse is designed with ample space and stability to accommodate both you and your gear, including your furry friend.

At the request of a paddler, the Impulse 13 was created. The paddler needed a larger boat that could accommodate his gear and his dog, as the Wee Lassie was too small. The initial idea was to cut a 10'6" Wee Lassie in half, add two and a half feet in the middle, and reinforce it with fiberglass. The goal was simply to create a safe boat for this paddler, who also wanted it to have excellent tracking abilities.

As the boat builders at Slipstream continued working, it became obvious that they should strive for perfection in the boat instead of just a one-time hull. The one-off boat was transformed into a plug, which serves as the basis for the mold. Once the plug and mold were finished, the Impulse 13 became the highly sought-after product it is today.

​The Impulse 13, bigger sister to the Wee Lassie, has been a popular choice since it was first introduced years ago. Its unique design sets it apart, featuring just under one inch of reverse rocker in the hull. Most hulls are either flat or smile-shaped in profile, but the Impulse 13 has a slight frown shape that won't dampen your spirits. This slight reverse rocker allows for exceptional tracking, similar to a 16 or 17 foot long canoe.

Why is it called "Fish Finder"?

NO JOKE FISH STORY (as relayed to us by Stan, the CEO at Slipstream):
"A few years ago we started using a unique in the industry material -- it's a 2x2 twill hybrid of Kevlar and Carbon.  The twill hybrid blends nicely with nature and appears greenish.  We selected the material because of the mechanical properties, workability, etc. — little did we know that there would be other advantages.

Shortly after we started building with this material, unsolicited, fishermen started contacting us and said they're catching more fish than ever.  We laughed and attributed it to a typical "fish story".  But the calls kept coming so we decided to keep a tracking log.  We stopped tracking after more than fifty fishermen contacted us, unsolicited, to say they were catching more fish in boats made with this material in its natural color.

We decided to conduct some empirical research.  We were at an event where you could see bass, blue gills, etc. swimming around in the pond.  We put a green canoe on a tether and one with the natural colored KCH laminate.  The fish ignored the green boat but seemed to gravitate to the Twill version of the KCH hybrid -- we were dumbfounded.  Some think the color hides the boat.  Others think fish see it as a log, lily pads or other safe haven.  Still others believe the way the light sparkles through the laminate, it makes fish think there’s a school of minnows under the boat and ready to be feasted upon.

During an event at Coopers Lake in Slippery Rock, PA I was standing on the shore with several fishermen and telling them of the material and its "fish catcher" nature.  They all laughed and said I would say anything to sell a boat.  As we were talking, Cathy (I'm her husband) paddled by in a natural colored Twill KCH laminate canoe.  She floated over and asked if someone could reach into the stern of her canoe and remove the Bass that had jumped into her boat. The fishermen were slack jawed and I was exonerated.  There's clearly something to the "fish catching" nature of the material."

• Length: 13'
• ​Width: 29"
• Depth: 11.5"
• Carry Capacity: 550 pounds
• Weight: Kevlar Carbon Hybrid ~19 lbs