Small canoe suggestions?

[_CJ]

Went up to the Catamount reservoirs recently to do a little fishing and saw some people paddling around in canoes. Thought it looked like fun.

I'd like to get something small just for my wife and I to use for fishing on small lakes, etc. Something I can transport on top of my Scout II. I had somebody suggest THIS ONE (http://www.sportsauthority.com/sm-pelican-navigator-canoe-assembled--pi-2131644.html) to me.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I'm not looking for the most super deluxe canoe around. Just something simple, affordable, and durable. I've also seen some inflatable canoes, but I don't know that I would trust them.

[mtn WJ]

In my opinion that one would be a good one you two. I had a Coleman model similar to that when I was a kid. It held up nicely to teenager abuse.

The Pelican Ram X canoes hold up well. They are not as fast or light as the aluminum or high end brand canoes. However for Rec Use they are hard to beat for value and durability. If you are not really into the canoe thing and more into fishing get a wide bottom canoe. More stabil when casting and messing with your rod. (fishing rod that is).

[_CJ]

Went out and looked at some Canoes today and came across a Mad River Advernture 14 for a really good price. I'm pretty seriously thinking about buying it instead of the Pelican. It seems to be made of the same material as a kayak, has some really comfortable seats with backrests, nice cup holders, and a third seat. Only downsides I'm seeing are the heavier weight, 85 pounds, vs. 55, and the directional seating will make it difficult to handle alone.

What do you guys think?
http://www.rei.com/pwr/product-reviews/Kayaking-Canoeing/Canoes-and-Accessories/Canoes/Mad-River/p/750860-Mad-River-Adventure-14-Canoe.html

[mtn WJ]

Well I am not hip with the back rests on a canoe and the directional seating. Makes fishing a little more challenging as well. It looks like a nice Canoe otherwise. The seating for 3 will be great when you have a kid along. It is 31 inches wide which is about the minimum in my opinion for a recreational canoe. I know the narrow canoes are faster and easier to paddle but they are too tippy for fishing or carrying a lot of gear.

I dont think you will go wrong with it. Good Luck.

[_CJ]

Picked up the new Canoe today. I was surprised how easily it was to throw it up on top of the Scout and drive home. Haven't been in a Canoe in almost twenty years, but I'm really looking forward to it.

I can't comment on performance yet because I haven't had it in the water, but after seeing that you could fold the seat backs down and sit on top of them in either direction, I was sold. It seems pretty wide. The "statement of origin" says it's 40", but everything else says 33" gunwale, 34" waterline, and 37" maximum. Length is 14 feet.

It's about all I care to lift by myself, but I don't think I'll be going alone so that's not a big deal after all. I might be wrong, but this thing seemed a little more river worthy than the standard canoes. Not that we plan to do any white water trips, but maybe a slow moving section of the Colorado? The kid at the store said he thinks it's the best boat in the store, and that he knows several guides that use them. Oh, and I paid $400 at Dick's Sporting Goods which seemed like a good deal. The best price I saw anywhere else was $550+. Made in the USA too!

Thanks to WJ for the advise, even though I didn't really take it. :D Maybe I should have mentioned that I'm a spincast kind of fisherman, not fly fishing?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2544926983_ba2a078488.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2545752882_b6c176d5d7.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2544927355_bbc8a2f8fc.jpg

[van7559]

that canoe is pretty fawking sick. I have always wanted to get one. It is not as sick as that scout though that looks pretty damn clean. If you have no motor on that do you have to register it like a boat, or only if it has a trolling motor or something like that on it?

[_CJ]

Thanks. Just added the lift kit to the Scout this year.

Did a little checking today, and from what I can find Colorado only requires registration of power boats and sail boats. I doubt that a trolling motor requires registration, but I didn't look into it since I'm the only power in this boat. ;)

[mtn WJ]

Congratulations and it looks like a great canoe for a killer price.

For the record if you run an electric motor you do have to register it. Only paddles and oars are exempt. It will cost you 25 per year to register it if you plan to use a motor of any kind. If you do not plan to use a motor then not need to register it. Most of the Colorado State Parks can register them on site. Or you can take it to the place near Sante Fe and C470. You need to take the canoe and the motor to get it registered.

Funny thing is I had mine twice at Chatfield with the Electric motor and thought I was legal. No one said anything to us. However when I made a reservation last year for the Scouts I was told on the phone I needed to register it. It was a by chance conversation.

Have fun. We are going to go to Eleven Mile Res with the Canoe and the Pop Up Camper. You should go fishing this weekend. It is a free weekend in any Colorado State Park for fishing no license reguired this weekend only. Kind of a fishing promotion. I always get a license anyway but none the less.

Enjoy the new ride.

[_CJ]

Congratulations and it looks like a great canoe for a killer price.

For the record if you run an electric motor you do have to register it. Only paddles and oars are exempt. It will cost you 25 per year to register it if you plan to use a motor of any kind. If you do not plan to use a motor then not need to register it. Most of the Colorado State Parks can register them on site. Or you can take it to the place near Sante Fe and C470. You need to take the canoe and the motor to get it registered.

Funny thing is I had mine twice at Chatfield with the Electric motor and thought I was legal. No one said anything to us. However when I made a reservation last year for the Scouts I was told on the phone I needed to register it. It was a by chance conversation.

Have fun. We are going to go to Eleven Mile Res with the Canoe and the Pop Up Camper. You should go fishing this weekend. It is a free weekend in any Colorado State Park for fishing no license reguired this weekend only. Kind of a fishing promotion. I always get a license anyway but none the less.

Enjoy the new ride.

This coming weekend? Wish we could, but I don't think we'll be geared up for it so soon. Still need some paddles and life vests. Thinking about getting a two piece kayak paddle to stow as backup and to use when or if I'm solo, then get some nicer paddles for tandam use.

I've been surfing Craigslist for paddles and life vests. Do you have any spares?

[mtn WJ]

No spares this weekend. I can loan you some for next week through the end of June. I will be traveling on business for a couple weeks and will not need the vests or the paddles for awhile. A main reason I am sneaking this trip in.

I bought my vests from Wal Mart and the paddles from Gander Mountain. Sportsmans Warehouse has some decent prices on the Paddles too.

[_CJ]

Hadn't considered Wal-Mart. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

[pacu]

I just picked up some extra life jackets at Big 5. Sign up on their website big5sportinggoods.com and they'll email you a coupon for 10% off any transaction. I used it for the jackets that were 40% off on sale. You can get a decent paddle there for under $50- same at Dick's. If you have young kids- spend the money on a good PDF with buckles that go through their legs and have pulls on the top to get them out of the water.

I have some offset and inline paddles that won't be used this weekend- you're more than welcome to borrow- I work off Arapahoe and Revere.

[_CJ]

Thanks for the offers guys, but I think I'm just going to go buy some paddles and vests tonight. I want to get the canoe in the water this weekend and see how it feels.

We're just going to take it over to Memorial lake (a couple blocks from my house) to get a feel for it. I'd like to go to 11 mile, but my wife isn't ready for that big of a body of water.

[trailbuilt]

i Just got My PFD's at Bass pro Shop... the cheapest "Paddleing " pfds I could find 59.99 each...also cabels has some they call Full Morion for 39.99

[mtn WJ]

If you change your mind on 11 mile we will be the gang in the BBC = Big Blue Canoe.

Have fun with the new ride. You will find that a canoe in Colorado is very cool to have and that you can do way more with one than most other type of small water craft.

[_CJ]

i Just got My PFD's at Bass pro Shop... the cheapest "Paddleing " pfds I could find 59.99 each...also cabels has some they call Full Morion for 39.99

Thanks for mentioning that there are paddling specific PFDs. I googled it to get an idea of what the differences are and ended up buying THESE (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8399472) Not really a paddling specific vest, but very similar and lots of pockets and such.

Walmart did have some decent looking paddles for $9, but they were only 48" long, so I went over to Sportsman's warehouse and and found some 54" wood paddles for $13/ea.

After getting home and looking more closely at the paddles, they kind of reminded me of some kitchen utensiles I have. Does anyone make a bamboo canoe paddle? I can't find any. Seems like an ideal application. Lightweight, super strong, all natural. Maybe I should look into making some myself?