Canoe Help

[Drake2]

After debating different boat purchases, I've decided to go with a canoe. I need help learning what one needs to look at when picking the right canoe. I plan to use this canoe for float trips for trout on the tail waters in Ark, as well as taking it to lakes to just enjoy getting on the water for exercise/enjoyment/fishing. Any recommendations?

[LODI QUACKER]

Grumman sport boat.

[greenheadgrimreaper]

A canoe is no different than a boat when choosing. Get one that fits your use for 90% of the time and make do with the other 10%. If you're doing mostly float trips you'll want a longer canoe for more carrying capacity. If your float tripping mostly rivers you'll possibly want to go without a keel for maneuvering. If you're paddling slack water a keel will help with tracking. The rocker of the canoe will also add to maneuverability. If you're doing a lot of fishing a sharp tumblehome will make grabbing fish easier but makes the canoe a little tippy. Also canoes have initial stability, secondary stability, and 3rd stage stability. Usually secondary is your best bet. It feels tippy but has good stability after that the canoe tips.

As far as material goes I would go with royalex. It's cheaper and is tuff as hell. If you were portaging a lot then I would look into something lighter. But even then royalex is not unmanageably heavy even in 17 foot canoes.

[duramax]

Here's some good info on the Old Town Canoe website on picking out the right canoe:

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/choosing.html

There are really a bunch of different factors to take into play. # of passengers you'll have and typical bodies of water you'll be in are the most important to factors. Big canoes are stable and can put 3 people in them, and are great for lakes, but are a pain in rivers like the Arkansas tailwaters because they aren't that nimble. You don't want a keel on the bottom if you are primarily using them in rivers. They make it nice when paddling in lakes because they help the boat track straight, but if you are sideways in a river and you hit rocks, it catches and will make the canoe unstable.

I grew up duck hunting a fishing only out of a 21ft Aluminum canoe in Canada. You couldn't flip that thing unless you tried to. But man it was a pain dragging that thing and loading it on the truck.

A nice 17 foot canoe with a flat bottom and wider hull will comfortably fit 2 people with gear and isn't too big for faster water, and would be nice in a lake for your purposes.

Lightness was the primary goal for me so I bought this one (or whatever model it was a couple years ago):
http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/hunt ... ngler.html

Only 15' long, but I will only use it in Rivers like when I trout fishing in Arkansas, or maybe going back into a hard to get to duck hole. It has a built in cooler and dry storage compartment. Since I have been know to flip a canoe, that is a plus. Not the most stable canoe, but it's easy to pick up when going over shoals and carrying up a hill. It's a bit tight for space, but it's only for day trips, so I'll make do.

[free78]

Several companies make flatback canoes you can put a small motor on. If that is something you might be interested in. I have a 15ft. flatback with a 8 merc. Made by a company in Decatur, Alabama. Has a front and rear seat and livewell can also be a seat. Mine is about 46" in the center so it is pretty stable.

[Anatidae]

Suggestions: Flat bottom (for stability) and low center of gravity (if it has built-in seats).

[Drake2]

Thanks everyone. Keep it coming. Opinions on a 14'6'' vs 16' would be helpful. Fly fishing and spin fishing will be done from the canoe. Besides the obvious, more room, what is good to consider when debating b/t these two sizes? Also, I have a 2006 Z71 crew cab short bed so what are some reliable racks or canoe carries out there.

[duramax]

Thanks everyone. Keep it coming. Opinions on a 14'6'' vs 16' would be helpful. Fly fishing and spin fishing will be done from the canoe. Besides the obvious, more room, what is good to consider when debating b/t these two sizes? Also, I have a 2006 Z71 crew cab short bed so what are some reliable racks or canoe carries out there.

No significant difference other than extra room. A 14'6" will be easier to put in a pick up. They make a rack that goes in you hitch that extends so you can put it in the bed. You can also use a ladder rack so you'd put it on top like an SUV.

[greenheadgrimreaper]

A 16 foot will be a little easier to trim. It will also have a little more carrying capacity.

[dukhntn]

You shouldn't have any trouble fitting the 16' in your truck, even without a rack. I haul a 17' in my crew cab tundra without problem (just tie it down good).

[wingman21]

I put my 17 on roof of my truck. No rack just pads. I like having the carry pads b/c you can use on any vehicle, regardless if it has a rack.

[LODI QUACKER]

Have u looked at a Grumman sport boat, wider than a canoe 15 feet and still light e ought that u can pick it up and walk with it.

[1Ranger75]

Look at a Nucanoe.

[duramax]

Have u looked at a Grumman sport boat, wider than a canoe 15 feet and still light e ought that u can pick it up and walk with it.

Geez. You could buy a decent Jon boat and canoe for that price. Grumman makes great regular aluminum canoes as well.