Silverbirch Firefly 14 Solo (Highline)
The Silverbirch Firefly 14 Solo — a purpose-built British solo canoe that's light enough to carry, fast enough to thrill. Flat water, rivers, solo expeditions: all in 25.5kg.
Highline canoes feature increased sidewall depth (freeboard), providing greater load capacity, improved buoyancy, and a drier ride in rough or open water. This makes them ideal for expedition paddling, heavier loads, or more exposed conditions where extra security and carrying capacity are needed. Click here for a full rundown on the differences in Lowline and Highline canoes.
Silverbirch are currently running a Duralite Spring Special in partnership with The Boathouse. This is on selected Silverbirch Canoes such as the Firefly 14, Broadland 15 and Broadland 16. See the description drop down for more info or click here to see the Duralite Spring Special.
The Firefly 14 Solo Highline builds on the agility of the standard model but adds extra depth, making it even better for solo tripping, moving water, and carrying additional gear. With its higher sides for improved wave deflection and extra freeboard, this version is ideal for paddlers taking on bigger water challenges, including extended solo trips in more demanding conditions.
One Firefly Highline has even completed a full descent of the Grand Canyon, showcasing its potential for serious adventure paddlers.
Best For:
Solo trippers needing extra capacity without compromising agility.
Paddlers tackling extended moving-water expeditions.
Those who want added security in rougher waters.
When to Think Twice About This Model:
Prefer a lower-profile canoe for wind resistance? – The added depth provides protection but may require more effort in windy conditions.
Looking for a canoe to carry very heavy loads? – While excellent for solo trips, those needing significant carrying capacity should consider the Broadland series.
Why Choose the Firefly 14 Solo Highline?
Built for serious solo adventures – Handles bigger water, extended trips, and downriver challenges.
Extra freeboard for confidence in rougher conditions – Keeps paddlers drier and more secure.
Balances gear-hauling ability with solo agility.
Custom Build Options — Every Silverbirch Canoe
Every made to order Silverbirch canoe is built to your specification. The level of customisation is substantial — this is a genuine custom build, not a colour selector.
Shell colour
Choose from 9 standard colours, or request a custom colour combination. Custom colour bands offer an alternative to solid hull colours, allowing you to apply any of our colour options to the 9 band positions along the hull for a striped appearance. Custom colour bands are an additional cost option.
Internal colour
Choose a contrasting or matching interior colour. White is standard on all Silverbirch canoes — all other interior colours are available by request.
A note on hand-blended finishes: Custom colour combinations on Silverbirch canoes are hand-blended for each individual boat, so the way colours and colour bands merge will vary slightly from one canoe to the next. Our configurator gives a close representation of how your chosen combination will look, but we cannot guarantee an exact match to the on-screen preview. Every Silverbirch canoe is built in small batches by skilled craftspeople in Norfolk, UK — that individuality is part of what you're buying.
Lacing colour
Lacing is included as standard on every Silverbirch canoe and comes in 11 options, including fluorescents and neutrals. Beyond colour, lacing plays a functional role: it helps secure and adjust the boat to your body, and helps secure the storage of essentials and airbags.
Gunwales
Available in vinyl and ash — ash for traditional warmth and repairability, vinyl for low-maintenance durability.
Seating
Seat configuration affects both comfort and how the boat handles, so it's worth deciding early. Available seating options vary by model and are shown in full in the product configurator.
Yoke
A yoke makes solo portaging (carrying the canoe overhead) practical. Options are shown in the product configurator.
Kneeling thwarts
Kneeling thwarts improve control and stability for whitewater or technical paddling. Options are shown in the product configurator.
End grabs
End grabs assist with lifting, carrying, and lining the canoe. Options are shown in the product configurator.
Configuration compatibility
Not every combination of options is possible. Some configurations conflict — most commonly, a centre seat cannot be combined with a fixed centre yoke, since they occupy the same position on the hull. If you want both a centre seating position and a portaging yoke, we'd recommend a detachable yoke, which clips in only when you need to carry the boat and comes off for paddling. Our configurator will flag any incompatible combinations as you build your canoe, and our team can talk you through the trade-offs before you order.
Spare parts & Accessories
Due to manufacturing here in the UK, we have an array of spare parts and accessories on hand ready to be shipped out for any repairs or upgrades.
The optimum ranges are suggested for typical paddlers in a variety of different water conditions and the users can expect the craft to paddle as designed within these ranges.
The ultimate capacity is derived using an industry standard test of the amount of static weight it takes to achieve a 6” freeboard. This is not a recommendation of suitability of use at these weights.
Length
4360mm / 14'3"
Width
820mm / 32.5"
Depth
490mm / 19.5"
Weight
Duracore+ 31.5kg - Duralite 30Kg
The optimum ranges are suggested for typical paddlers in a variety of different water conditions and the users can expect the craft to paddle as designed within these ranges.
The ultimate capacity is derived using an industry standard test of the amount of static weight it takes to achieve a 6” freeboard. This is not a recommendation of suitability of use at these weights.
Optimum range - 50kg - 185Kg
Ultimate Capacity - 280Kg
Lowline vs Highline—What's the Difference?
The difference between highline and lowline canoes comes down to hull depth (freeboard) — essentially how high the sides of the canoe sit above the waterline. This single design choice has a noticeable impact on handling, stability, weight, and performance in different conditions.
Highline Canoes — More Depth, More Capacity
A highline canoe has deeper sidewalls, which increases internal volume and keeps more of the hull above the water.
This results in:
- Higher load capacity – better for carrying gear, additional paddlers, or expedition setups
- Improved buoyancy – sits higher in the water, especially when loaded
- Drier ride in rough water – more protection from waves and chop
Highline trims are typically chosen for expeditions, open water crossings, or paddlers carrying heavier loads.
However, the added depth also means:
- Increased weight (typically around 10–12% more depending on the model)
- More wind exposure due to the larger side profile
Lowline Canoes — Lower Profile, Greater Control
A lowline canoe has shallower sidewalls, reducing the amount of hull above the water.
This gives you:
- Less wind resistance – easier to control in breezy conditions
- Lighter overall weight – easier to carry, load, and handle off the water
- More responsive handling – ideal for technical paddling or solo use
Lowline trims are best suited to day paddling, lighter loads, sheltered waters, and paddlers who prioritise efficiency and control over carrying capacity.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Highline if you need maximum capacity, added security in rough water, or expedition capability
- Choose Lowline if you want a lighter, more responsive canoe that performs well in calmer or more sheltered conditions
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