Stinger

"GRBNewman Designs has developed a light, comfortable C-1 marathon canoe with great handling characteristics that reaches planing speeds faster and provides unmatched response. The Stinger has the highest strength-to-weight ratio, the most volume with the smallest footprint, and meets all USCA class specifications. Tested over 14 years, the race-proven, two-piece design allows thwarts, lunch counters and gunwales to be molded in a unique monocoque construction for enhanced rigidity.

The Stinger is more than fast enough to get the job done."

Kevin Olson

"This boat is the next generation after the Stealth. They set out to improve the previous model and they definitely did that. This boat normally has a lunch deck that is behind the paddler but they eliminated more of the other material on the top of the boat which helps to reduce the weight. They still kept larger gunnels in the “cockpit” where the paddler sits which helps stiffen this part of the boat and they went much lighter on the gunnels for the remainder of the boat. This makes this boat very nice to portage as the gunnels are perfect size to fit in the hand in the cockpit. The stinger looks very similar to the stealth as it has a cut off stern, a lunch deck behind the paddler and a pedestal seat. The big difference in appearance is on the bottom of the hull. This boat has distinct sections with a close to flat bottom. This boat was designed to handle the difficult handling of smaller winding rivers such as the little river in Canton, NY and might have the best turning capabilities that i have seen in a C1. Another reason the bottom is shaped this way allows more of the volume to be lower in the boat making this design ideal in intermediate and shallow depth water such as on the Susquehanna. Although this design might call for a short break in period due to the shape of the bottom this boat is a very fast boat as it has multiple 70 miler pro victories by Terry Kent that used to race this design."

Jason Quagliata via New York Paddlesport Racing Association Newsletter

"Rocky platform and I had to alter my stroke due to the boat side angles. Boat felt comfortable to sit in through, which was surprising with the unorthodox sitting position. Boat would take some time to get used to, boat is easy to turn but drifts through the turns rather than carves; would like to see the carbon supports in different places so that I do not feel restricted (front and back) times were not a true reflection on performance, tired at end."

Marc Gillespie via New York Paddlesport Racing Association Newsletter

"The Stinger is very light and has a unique flatspot built into the bottom. It’s quite wide near the middle, so I find that moving my seat as far forward as possible allows me to paddle a narrower boat and I need to keep my paddle vertical, any sideways angle drives the boat quickly sideways as it turns so easily. The boat is fast but needs a high stroke rate to keep it at speed. It handles easiest of all the boats [we tested], a plus for less than the best paddlers, but almost too much for good boat handlers."

Michael Schlimmer via New York Paddlesport Racing Association Newsletter

"The GRB Stinger was quite a different animal. It was probably the lightest boat in our group. It has a lot of volume in the bow and I had to trim it far forward. I could pop it in one stroke from a cruise. However I had to keep a quick hard stroke rate or it would settle back down just as quickly. Control was great. I would turn it with minimal effort and barely had to bother leaning. I noticed that if I wanted to go straight, my stroke had to be perfectly straight as well."

Kyle Kiser via New York Paddlesport Racing Association Newsletter

"GRB Stinger – certainly excels in the handling category. Even with my lack of time in this boat (maybe 2 hours) I feel like I can put it wherever I want on command. Handling capabilities would pay big dividends in a close race when the window of opportunity to pass someone gets smaller and smaller (this assumes you can make it go fast enough to be in the race at the end). Rides on the water much like a Diller C1, makes for easy turning. Lighter paddlers may benefit due to the fact you have to slide up more than normal to paddle it straight. Recommend for a paddler who lacks handling skills and needs a boat that they can paddle without having to back paddle the corners."

David Sennett via New York Paddlesport Racing Association Newsletter

"I can only talk about two boats, Stinger and DIIIX. As a strictly amateur/beginner paddler observation I think the boat you choose at my level is in your own comfort zone. If you want an initial stability boat you want the DIIIX. The Stinger might turn a wee bit better but that also causes me to have to switch sides more often. Its shaky feeling makes me uncomfortable while paddling as the boat seems to rock side to side with each stroke. While I don’t have as much time in the DIIIX, I feel more comfortable while paddling so I have more confidence which means more speed. The stinger seems to sit on one on the “V” spots and then it rocks off and feels tippy. Maybe a heavier paddler sits in water farther and this isn’t as bad."