Our rental fleet is complete – Spring Canoe Test Days

Just a few weeks ago, the maiden fleet of our little “Granite & Green” paddling lineup became complete: two single sea kayaks and one 3-person canoe are now safely stored in our garage, just waiting for their first adventures. My brother Emanuel and I took the boats out for a test run at the end of May, and we can safely say: it was money well spent! Now, we hope that many of our cabin guests (and anyone else who’s interested!) will get to enjoy a few paddling trips. After all, there’s no better or more direct way to experience the landscapes up here in West Sweden – Bohuslän and Dalsland.

For the sea kayaks’ maiden voyage, we headed out onto the Gullmarn Fjord, launching right from our own doorstep at Gårvik, just about 20 minutes from Treeline Studio. Paddling out in the most gorgeous evening light, you discover a stunning landscape of islands and rocky cliffs right around the middle of this massive fjord – with seals keeping you company along the way!

With a little imagination, you could easily picture yourself on the Pacific Coast off Vancouver Island – except there, instead of friendly seals curiously popping up right in front of your boat, you’d have orcas lurking in the depths below. We’ll definitely stick to the West Swedish fjord coast instead!
Here’s a little insider tip: At Gårvik beach, a small stream flows right into the fjord. It’s the perfect width to position your kayak and climb in without getting your feet wet. You couldn’t ask for a more effortless launch (though a completely smooth departure does depend a tiny bit on the water level!).

For our second test run with the kayaks, we headed out towards Kungshamn and Smögen. Right near the Malmön ferry, there’s a small marina perfectly located in the middle of a sound that is ideal for launching the boats: Tullboden. You can park directly at the entry point, and with your very first paddle strokes, you dive right into this incredibly beautiful archipelago landscape. In calm conditions, reaching Kungshamn and Smögen is relatively easy, and Hovenäset in particular—with its narrow waterways winding between numerous boathouses—is well worth a visit from the water!

A quick wrap-up on boat performance: The boats are fast, rock-solid, and stable. The tipping point comes relatively late. Even if beginners might initially feel a bit wobbly (especially with side waves—but that’s just the nature of any sea kayak), the tipping point is much further out than you’d think. Thanks to their highly stable design, even paddling novices can effortlessly take their first steps into this fascinating outdoor activity.

With two easily accessible day hatches and two large main hatches, the boats offer plenty of storage space. Even longer, multi-day trips are absolutely no problem.

Our second test object was the spacious 3-person canoe. We primarily envision this one being used on the lakes further inland—but definitely not exclusively! We tested the boat together with our three oldest boys in the unique archipelago just off Fjällbacka. As long as conditions are reasonably calm, this sheltered area is perfectly suited for a canoe. And it holds a true camping paradise in store! Many of the small islands feature great beaches and adjacent meadows that are perfect for little tent adventures. On top of that, short climbs up the islands’ scenic cliffs offer the most beautiful views imaginable over the archipelago and even towards the coastal town of Fjällbacka—it doesn’t get more Swedish West Coast than this. However, the area’s popularity can mean more water sports enthusiasts around, especially in summer, so you might not get the very first bay you see if you’re looking for total solitude. During our trip, one of the neighboring islands was occupied by other kayak campers, but we didn’t notice them at all, and it didn’t disrupt the experience.

If you park at the Veddö parking lot (pro tip: make sure to take the lower of the two hikers’ parking lots!), you have the option to launch your boat either north of the causeway in the large harbor bay, or south of it. To shorten the trip to our chosen camping island a bit, we opted for the southern launch site, which meant a slightly longer walk—about 150 meters to the water. But with the kayak trolley included in the rental, it was no problem at all.

Generally speaking, the canoe is designed for up to three adults. There were five of us—two adults and three kids between 5 and 8—and despite carrying quite a bit of gear for our overnight stay, we managed to fit everything in the boat and never once felt like we were anywhere near capsizing.

A direct comparison between the canoe and the sea kayak reveals exactly what you’d expect given their designs: the kayaks are definitely the sportier option. They are much faster and more agile, but naturally a bit more wobbly too. The canoe, on the other hand, is forgiving and stable, making it perfect for effortless, leisurely paddling across many of the region’s waterways.

For anyone interested in a rental: We lease the boats to both our cabin guests and external visitors. The rental includes a complete transport kit: roof racks that can be flexibly attached to any car (even those without roof rails!), tie-down straps, a kayak trolley, life jackets, paddles, and more. Alternatively, if you prefer, we can also handle the transport service for you.

If you’re interested, just get in touch—we’ll help you plan your trip and get you out on the water!