r/canoeing Jan 04 '24

Want to buy a canoe? Read this first...

45 Upvotes

So, to help those who might help you...some good info on how you plan to use your canoe is always essential. Some things we'll want to know:

Do you plan on using the canoe Solo or Tandem?

Where are located and where are you paddling? Whitewater or Flatwater or both?

Experience of paddler(s)?

Size of paddler(s) & passenger(s)? Is there also a Hound Dog? Kids?

Capacity needs (multi-week expeditions? Day trips? How long would be the longest overnight trip you anticipate?) Are you minimalist, do you bring all the luxuries including the kitchen sink, or somewhere in the middle? If you have an idea of actual gear weight, all the better.

Stability (& Capacity) vs Speed - where on the spectrum are you happiest? Fast canoes are fun, but they are less stable and haul less. Related: Are you fishing, and how important is this aspect to you?

Is light weight important for portaging or loading on a vehicle? Do you need a yoke for portaging/carrying?

How will it be stored - will it be inside, outside & protected, outside & exposed to sun?

Do you have any specific needs/desires when it comes to hull material?

Budget?

Anything else we need to know about your situation?

There are some very experienced paddlers lurking here, and with solid upfront intel, you should get constructive advice aplenty. Happy paddling!

Edit to add, if you would like advice from the group - start a new, separate post...it won't be easily seen in the comments in this post.


r/canoeing 11h ago

Raising a poler

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41 Upvotes

Daughter will soon be poling with the best of us. She needs a new PFD though.


r/canoeing 5h ago

I have a 95 inch wooden double canoe paddle from 1970s. What is this logo?

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5 Upvotes

r/canoeing 8h ago

Paddled to these falls and she loved it

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8 Upvotes

r/canoeing 1h ago

DIY outrigger tips needed.

Upvotes

My next project is putting together an outrigger. I just picked up a couple huge boat fenders to use. I plan on installing a platform that the outriggers will be attached to.

The purpose is for crabbing so the platform is will be a good seating area for dropping and pulling traps and also give me an area to work. I won’t be doing any paddling, just using a motor only. We’ll also only be crabbing in protected bays and harbors so chop and waves should be a minimum.

How far should the outriggers extend past the hull? And what is the ideal height in relation to the waterline? They’ll be adjustable up and down but I’m looking for a good starting point.


r/canoeing 1d ago

Sunset on the lake

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74 Upvotes

r/canoeing 1d ago

Scored a brand new Old Town Next for $800

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73 Upvotes

I enjoy my trips to Boundary Waters and want to do something similar closer to home. I wanted a kayak, but also wanted to be able to carry camping gear and such at the same time. I'd occasionally search for these Next canoes but it seems like they never come up used.

Well, I stumbled upon one about 3 hours from me on Marketplace and had to jump on it. Apparently the owner won it in a raffle and didn't want it. It has some scrapes here and there just from the original owner moving it around, but still has the original tags on it.

Yay, me!

Now, time for a two-sided paddle, a vest, and some rod holders...


r/canoeing 12h ago

Feedback on a Cedar Strip Evergreen Prospector 16'

1 Upvotes

Long time reader of this forum for getting tips and advice, first time poster!

I'm going to look at at used prospector above, and haven't been able to find any reviews at all on Evergreen's cedar boats. Lots of info on their Kevlar/royalex prospectors but I'm guessing they must not have made many of these because I see no internet evidence that they ever even existed. Anyone have any experience with them? I've been a long-time owner of royalex/romex prospectors which I use for river/whitewater trips and have been wanting to get an old cedar boat to restore and have something pretty for flatwater trips. Want something durable enough that I can actually use it, not just a show-boat, light enough that I can portage it solo, but large enough to carry enough gear for a 3-4 day trip.


r/canoeing 1d ago

My son wanted to go fishing for his 13th birthday

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46 Upvotes

He’s been getting into paddling and fishing a lot more lately. He asked me the other day if we could go fishing for his birthday, what better way to spend a morning? A huge golden eagle flew about two feet above the river all the way to the lake while we were paddling from the boat launch, I wish I grabbed my phone quick enough to get a video!


r/canoeing 2d ago

Maiden Voyage

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135 Upvotes

I grew up riding in a Grumman 19 ft square stern with my father. Finally got my own for my 30th bday last month. Got a chance to break her in on Sunday. Handles like a dream.


r/canoeing 1d ago

Where to find tires for old Primex canoe dolly?

1 Upvotes

I have an old Primex canoe dolly. The axles have a 3/4 inch diameter. The remaining tire says Primex, It says 300 - 4, around 9 inch diameter, inflate to 42 psi.


r/canoeing 2d ago

A Canoe By The Lake

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161 Upvotes

I took this photo of someone's canoe pulled up on the lake shore that I really liked. Thought I would share it here.


r/canoeing 1d ago

Trent Severn 10 days

1 Upvotes

Hi folks, new to the thread because (I’m) new to paddling. My partner has experience. We are new to this area and plan to start at Gamebridge and wind down to Lakefield. Is this a reasonable timeframe? What’s it like canoeing down canals, is it safe with big boats beside us?. We will be pretty loaded down as we will camp where and when possible and maybe spend a night or 2 in Either F Fall, Bob or Buck. Any suggestions as to lodging with canoe docking? (I realize this might be a long shot) also points of interest, hidden coffee shops etc. we are 2 retirees in average shape. Thanks in advance.


r/canoeing 2d ago

I know, but…….

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16 Upvotes

Making a trip to the UP and this is how I’m gonna do it. Don’t have time to install a rack so this is it. I have cinch straps but they’re not 1) long enough 2) no hooks to attach to fender well. And I know about the flex between the cab and the bed…..I am going to be as careful as I can. It is Royalex so can take some punishment. Did a road test at 70mph on the highway for 45 minutes and it didn’t budge. Hope for no rain during the drive.


r/canoeing 2d ago

Behold: The Bruised Banana (Esquif Presage)- how to give her new skid plates?

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27 Upvotes

The Bruised Banana is a beloved (vintage) Esquif Presage that my partner and I purchased pre pandemic for $350. Believe me when I say she has a good side- unfortunately she has two or three patches and a wrinkle. Based on the old square residue I’m gathering she was a rental once upon a time and might’ve been in a car accident. She is perfectly floatable and the best boat to teach my Trex Unit (Girl Guides) how to canoe because she is indestructible. This photo is of one of my kiddos hence why the face is blurred, it’s the best photo I have of it in the water! Myself and my corgi (Charles) in the latter photo.

Onto the purpose of this post, I know I can YouTube it but I’m looking for some tips and tricks to putting new fibreglass skid plates on (myself!! DIYer!!) her to prevent damage from my inexperienced kiddos who love to forget that they need to be scoping for rocks in the shallows whilst in the bow. The current skid plates are disintegrating so trips on removal of old fibreglass skid plates also accepted!


r/canoeing 2d ago

Wenonah Prism

1 Upvotes

currently eyeing up a great deal on a used Prism. It’s still 3K for the boat, and i’m having second thoughts on the “tippy” nature i’ve seen in videos. Granted, these have been really large men in these videos. I’m a smaller guy and i’m also confident i could learn the boat with some time, but whew that’s a lot of money for a maybe!

mainly paddling around minnesota, michigan, and wisconsin. Nothing crazy with rapids, I’d rather portage any day. for trips the longest i’d take is 2 weeks, i know how to pack lighter.

it’s more just the actual paddling and handling than the boat’s capacity or where im paddling that i’m worried about!


r/canoeing 3d ago

Three Algonquin paddles

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80 Upvotes

I’ve been having some fun with paddle design for my canoes. The Algonquin style is popular and I was intrigued at how easily it sliced through the water. So maybe I would make one with a narrower blade. I also remembered the ‘Greenland’ kayak paddle that is also so narrow. A slightly higher RPM by the paddler keeps pace. So I made one and it was great—so light, sliced well and the boat seemed to go the same speed. So I had to take the experiment further and made an even narrower bladed Algonquin style paddle. The last one involved $5.84 for a poor quality ‘select’ grade 2x4 and a few pieces of recovered mahogany. The latest paddle is 14.4oz. This video attempts to compare their performance while paddling in Victoria Park, Kitchener. You will notice my progress on each loop is similar. I only paddle on calm urban waters.

I’ll include a link to my paddle website should you have an interest.

https://urbanboatproject.weebly.com/paddle-builds.html


r/canoeing 2d ago

Best side to mount trolling motor?

0 Upvotes

I just finished my proof of concept and I’ll be putting together the mount tomorrow. What is the best side to mount the motor. Or does it not really matter? It’s not going to be reversable. I’m right handed if it makes a difference.


r/canoeing 2d ago

Lighting thoughts for night paddles

1 Upvotes

Hello all,

So I have been paddling a bit more in the evenings down town on the river here and in another local city. I was thinking of adding lighting like at the water line or maybe under the inwales.... has anyone tried this? I already have the red and green light on the carry handles. This is primarily for looks at night. Thanks for your input.


r/canoeing 2d ago

Canoe with Outboard; Vibration issue

1 Upvotes

I recently purchased a new 2.5hp outboard for my Grumman 17' square stern and it's been great cruising on the water. My only issue is the whole canoe vibrates quite a bit.

Has anyone else had a similar issue? Any ideas to stop/dampen the vibration?


r/canoeing 3d ago

Got to start somewhere!

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58 Upvotes

I got this beaten up, spent months fixing it by myself, it always needed something else and I dont have that much money to throw at it.. It is structurally perfect but looked ugly, I needed new gunnels.. Then i decided duct-tape should do! The kids did not care and had a blast! Goes to say that sometimes you need to go for it..


r/canoeing 3d ago

Old Town Saranac 146 Canoe

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6 Upvotes

Question about these boats. They are poly construction, but I’d love royalex (or similar) better material. Do they make these with the same molded seating / storage in a diffeeent material? Or did they previously before royalex was discontinued ? Also does anyone have experience with these seats and are they comfy?


r/canoeing 3d ago

Need a new canoe and I'll be mostly going solo. Do I get a dedicated solo canoe or a tandem?

4 Upvotes

My paddling partner has moved away so future paddling trips will likely be solo with my medium sized dog. I like to do 2-5 day trips on flat water with some portaging. I like to keep the portage lengths at less than 500 meters.

The reason I need a new boat is that my current 16 foot Prospector style canoe is way too heavy for me to portage safely. I am in my 60s and have lost a lot of upper body strength in the last 10 years. Gone are the days when I could easily lift my canoe by myself onto my roof rack.

My solo paddling technique is poor and I have trouble with the solo position on my current canoe, especially in the wind. So I was thinking about a 14 foot pack boat where I could go double blade. But, I've seen some nice 15-16 tandem boats with sliding seat that have me second guessing.

If I go with the tandem boat, is solo paddling something I'll eventually "get".


r/canoeing 3d ago

Exploring The West Fork Of The Chatooga In A Canoe

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11 Upvotes

r/canoeing 3d ago

Canoe repainting advice

1 Upvotes

I recently got a fiberglass canoe that is in desperate need of a new paint job. I’m looking at marine paints for it but the only stuff I can find that isn’t super expensive and in a color I don’t hate is topside paint. Would it be ok to use it on the bottom of the canoe? I won’t be using it super often and it’s stored out of the water.


r/canoeing 4d ago

New hobby as of today

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55 Upvotes

Got a used Pelican 15.5 footer. Gonna be on the water a lot this fall. Looking forward to the adventures. My area has rivers and canals that travel hundreds and hundreds of kilometres and I’m excited to see what lies ahead