Canoe Questions ???

[SamRiley]

I am looking into getting a canoe so that I can take my wife out to fish lakes and ponds in our area. I will be doing all of the paddling. Problem is, I haven't been in a canoe since I was a kid and have no clue what to look for in terms of dimensions, materials, etc. Whatever I get will probably also have to be capable of running rivers with two paddlers to get to isolated fishing holes. Any tips or warnings would be most welcome. Also, What can I expect to pay for a serviceable used canoe and where is the best spot to look?

Many thanks :)

[Bob Parsons]

My canoe is 1 15' Oldtown pathfinder. Made of royalex for durabily in the whitewater. It is designed for two people on calm water, or 1 in class1- 2 whitewater and fitted with air bags class 3. It does not have a keel due to it's whitewater capablility. A similiar canoe with keel would be easier to track on lakes and streams where being able to spin into an eddy would not be required. I paid about $350 buying it used from the Charles river rental place at the end of their season. I've taken my wife in it on Scorton Creek, various lakes and Barnstable Harbor into the marshes. She will dip the paddle in as we move along. Gee Sam, I would have thought you would have opted for a two person kayak. The lower the seats the less tippy the canoe will feel. I usually kneel when I have a guest sitting on the front sit. A 17' canoe out of kevlar would be light, easy to paddle, stable and very pricey.

[notime]

Try the WantAdvertiser publication. They sell used stuff from individuals. You can access it online but it based in Massachusetts so all listing will be within driving distance. I sold my canoe on it many years ago and they always had canoe's listed.

[SamRiley]

Gee Sam, I would have thought you would have opted for a two person kayak.

The restriction of a yak seat is not an option for my wife (bum hip) and the canoe would allow her to move around, stretch out, etc.

[Bob Parsons]

The restriction of a yak seat is not an option for my wife (bum hip) and the canoe would allow her to move around, stretch out, etc.
Then be looking at the 17 footers to maximize her comfort.

[haguebrook]

I have a 16' fiberglass Gazelle canoe. It has a very wide beam, which makes it stable. I have used it on rivers and lakes. I have not tried it on estuaries, but I am sure that it would be fine. It is available for sale. I have not gotten around to putting it in the Want Advertiser or Craig's List. I guess the price would be around $350. PM me if interested.

[Wes]

I think you probably want a big 16 ftr or a 17 ftr, 35/36 beam and 13/14 inch depth. Royalex Mad River Explorer is a good all around canoe. I think it's a 16 with abt a 35 inch beam and plenty of freeboard. A local shop sells their rentals after each season which isn't a bad deal. I think an Old Town Discovery in a similar size in their crosslink material would be good as well. These are not lightweights, probably close to 80 lbs. Aluminum will be cheapest, up to you abt the esthetics. Some nice composite cruisers around like Bell but they never come cheap.

[BluesCruiser]

the tin ones make noise...but are light 17' or 18 if your moving around.

I have a ( Cape CodBay ) square back very wide covers the roof of a car wide and i push it with a 28lb electric troller . I stand in this offen and its 12' fiberglass good for 2 and a lot of gear.tuff to paddle

BChttp://www.reel-time.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[WeeHooker]

As simple as a canoe is, EVERYTHING in it's design effects it's performance/best suited use.
Here's a quick(!) look:
Flat bottomed canoes have more initial stability ( feel less tippy) but are slower and not so great in rougher water. Round bottoms are faster, have better secondary stability but are more tippy initially. Beam/width vs length has a direct effect on performance. Longer or narrower boats go faster, shorter fatter boats menuver better. High sides or ends keep spray out but catch wind and creat stearing problems in open water. Alluminum is tough but noisy. Fiberglass is tough , quiet, repairable but expensive and can be somewhat heavy in cheaper modles. Plastics are quiet and very tough but often lack rigidity which robs performance.( They use aluminum rods to stifen the hull but it still "oil cans" when you /the boat moves.
FWIW, I strongly suggest you look for Canoe & Kayak magazines anual buyers guide, it explains all the in's an outs plus lists specs and prices on about every canoe made. another great source is paddling.net . They have user reviews and great general info.

p.s. If all else fails, and you just want a general purpose boat, stick to the middle of the road and get a medium length (16') 36-38" wide, stiff composite/glass canoe with a semi flat 'recreation" hull of decient ( sub 80# weight) from a true canoe ( vs. cooler or toy) manufacturer . Don't be afraid to shop used either. Lots of them around.

hth .

[jester62]

I am looking into getting a canoe so that I can take my wife out to fish lakes and ponds in our area. I will be doing all of the paddling. Problem is, I haven't been in a canoe since I was a kid and have no clue what to look for in terms of dimensions, materials, etc. Whatever I get will probably also have to be capable of running rivers with two paddlers to get to isolated fishing holes. Any tips or warnings would be most welcome. Also, What can I expect to pay for a serviceable used canoe and where is the best spot to look?

Many thanks :)

Take a look at this site...specificly the Adirondack Sportsman 14

http://www.greatcanadian.com/canoes_sport.html

I used this boat quite extensively when I lived inland & did a lot of trout/bass fishing. It comes in just under 70lbs & has a 42" wide beam. Stabil as they come :brow

[houdini]

If you add your weight, your wife's and maybe kids, plus gear, you'll have an idea of what cargo capacity you need. (See the manufacturer's guidelines) Waterline equates to higher freeboard and for two people and gear, I'd stick to a minimum of a 17' canoe. If you get one with more than about a 38" beam, it will handle like a barge.
Are you going to portage it? If so, weight becomes a consideration.

Storms can come on fast and you don't want to be out in an overloaded canoe in a storm. I'd stay away from shorter canoes with sides less than about 14".

You might check with you local red cross chapter - sometimes they have courses on canoeing. failing that, the AMC is active in canoeing as well. you could probably use a refresher and your wife would benefit as well.