St Regis 12' IBKC Vacuum Infused Canoe with Bulkheads

Some canoes are fun to paddle.  Some are even funner.  The St Regis 12 is the funestest! And at only 17lbs (YES, you read that correctly!), you can take it to even the remotest waterways.  

A regular comment from paddlers at the demo site is “I can’t explain why I feel so good in this boat but it’s going home with me today”. 

The St Regis 12 is a John Henry Ruston inspired design that was modified a bit back in the 1950s by legendary boat builder Bart Hauthaway.

Several boats produced by Slipstream, including the St Regis 12, were the feature exhibit for two years at the prestigious Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, NY.  The Slipstream Wee Lassie remains part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

On days when the Lake near Slipstream's shop has a good three foot chop on it, they’ll head over with a couple of St Regis 12s and play the waves. Cathy ( will paddle out a mile and surf the same wave all the way back to the beach.  

The St Regis 12 has good initial stability and excellent final stability.  Take it out in challenging conditions and it will quickly build your confidence.

The St. Regis 12 is a pretty, comfortable and stable design that tracks well yet responds nicely to steering strokes.  The shallow and rounded keel functions well without hanging up on rocks or the likes of a beaver dam.

It’s a very personal feeling canoe that paddlers love even though they have difficulty putting into words what they so like about the boat.

Occasionally,  paddlers that want to use a canoe paddle will chose a traditional bench style canoe seat that’s set fairly high.  But sitting near gunnel height isn’t for everyone in the St Regis 12.  More popular with canoe style paddlers is a kneeling thwart. Otherwise, kayak style seating with adjustable footrests is most popular. We will happily order you a St Regis canoe with any of the customizations Slipsteam offers.

It’s a quick boat that ripples small quiet bow waves. Glide is long with straight tracking.  It’s really quite the special design.  Anyone can paddle the St Regis without making friends with it.  On the other hand, skilled paddlers will truly savor the nimble response to body leans and well placed strokes.  Like we said, it’s the funestest!

The St Regis 12 paddles in a way that makes it difficult to put your finger on.  The most common of paddler comments at demo sessions is "I can't tell you exactly why, but I love this boat".  Great for pond hopping, especially at only 17 pounds.  Plenty of freeboard to deal with waves.  Enough capacity for gear or the company of a large dog.   When the wind kicks up on Great Sacandaga Lake at our shop, the St Regis is a lot of fun surfing waves and playing in the chop.

The St Regis 12 tracks well yet reacts quickly to boat leans and every command of your paddle.  Initial stability is a tiny bit wobbly but nothing to be concerned about.  Final stability is excellent - as you lean the boat you can feel the pushback trying to right you.  Most paddlers feel safe in one foot and two foot waves.   It's a responsive and easy boat to paddle.  Many paddlers find themselves playing in the boat, experimenting with strokes and toying with leans and atypical paddling conditions.

After five minutes in the boat, you'll feel as though you've paddled it for years.  On the other hand, the hull is not something you'll outgrow.  Several seating options enable matching personal comfort with proper paddling posture for optimal performance. Whitecaps won't ruin your afternoon.  Adjustable footrests relieve leg discomfort and increase driving power to the canoe.  Paddlers talk of being totally at ease in the St Regis 12.

A slightly flared hull makes keeps the boat dry.  Scupper spacers are standard (aesthetically pleasing, drain water easily and strengthens gunnels).  Stong grab loops at bow & stern.  Several adjustable seat options. Ultralight rot resistant Cedar decks and thwarts. Easily adjustable footrests. The slightly V shaped hull with a full keel make the St Regis fast and stable with good tracking.