New Trick 12

Hornbeck Boats builds out of the Adirondacks with a laser focus on backcountry pond-hopping, and the New Trick 12 represents their refined take on the classic pack canoe. Measuring twelve feet and weighing in the mid-teens depending on the exact composite layup, this solo boat is built specifically for paddlers whose routes demand as much time on foot across carries as paddling across open water. You sit low on a floor-mounted foam cushion with an adjustable backband, propelling it with a long double-blade kayak paddle that keeps the center of gravity low and cadence effortless.

The hull utilizes a carbon and Kevlar composite structure, cutting out every non-essential ounce without feeling fragile under ordinary use. On the water, initial stability feels nimble, but firm secondary stability catches quickly once you settle in. The twelve-foot waterline tracks reliably across calm lakes while retaining enough agility to snake through narrow beaver meadows and tight feeder creeks. While the composite skin happily brushes off submerged logs and smooth gravel, it is an ultralight boat at heart; scraping over sharp granite ledges or dragging up rough launch ramps will quickly chew into the outer resin.

Compared to pack canoes from Swift or Placid Boatworks, Hornbeck favors utilitarian, weight-obsessed minimalism over heavy gelcoats and ornate trim. A light solo canoe like this will inevitably catch a crosswind when unladen, and cargo capacity tops out quickly if you pack heavy. For solo wilderness wanderers who prioritize painless, one-shoulder portages over multi-week payload capacities, the New Trick 12 makes rugged backcountry waterways accessible with minimal physical strain.