canoe

[ChaseChrome]

Hey folks:

Used to canoe frequently with my dad--that was years ago. Wanted to get my son into a canoe but as I haven't gotten out of my waders in 30 years I've not kept up with what is on offer out there.

Perhaps some of you might be able to steer me in the right direction (what brands you know of that are deserving of great reviews etc.). Canadian made is a must though.

Appreciate your help!
CC

 

[Dave Bailey]

Canadian made is a must though.

Last year I made this list over on the OFC board. There is a list of links to Canadian made fishing supplies, and I listed canoe manufacturers as well. I haven't checked all the links in a couple of months, so you may find some dead ones.

EDIT: just went through and updated, all canoe links should work now

 

[ChaseChrome]

Last year I made this list over on the OFC board. There is a list of links to Canadian made fishing supplies, and I listed canoe manufacturers as well. I haven't checked all the links in a couple of months, so you may find some dead ones.

EDIT: just went through and updated, all canoe links should work now

Awesome, great place to start--thanks
CC

 

[Spinninreel]

CC, what kind of canoeing are you going to be doing?

 

[ChaseChrome]

CC, what kind of canoeing are you going to be doing?

Traditional, small lakes, drifitng a river...

 

[ChaseChrome]

Last year I made this list over on the OFC board. There is a list of links to Canadian made fishing supplies, and I listed canoe manufacturers as well. I haven't checked all the links in a couple of months, so you may find some dead ones.

EDIT: just went through and updated, all canoe links should work now

Crap, Langford makes some nice canoes man--had to laugh when I landed on OFN, the site that banned me...

 

[Spinninreel]

Kevlar for lakes,faster and lighter, Aluminum for river trips. Here is a link to some used canoes: http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com/evt/sales5.html

 

[stdavidsboy]

Hi
Swift canoes are good. So are Souris River canoes. Scott (I believe their high end is Winona) is also very good. These are among the principal Canadian canoe manufacturers.

I personally like the Quetico 17 by Souris River, mostly for its extremely light weight and relatively good durability (the finish goes fast though) but each company listed has a competitive kevlar based canoe and they are all pretty darn good these days, with weight in the 40lb range. Generally a 16' or 17' symmetric or asymmetric design will do. My old fiberglass canoe was about 100lbs! I'd stay away from aluminum altogether, having had a couple. The newer materials are fantastic, and if you want your son to help carry it, carry it himself, or save your own back getting it on the car, get something light.

Lakes/ponds/meandering rivers\portages - go kevlar (no need for the carbon fiber... just extra cost). You probably should dance around rocks in these, though they can take it. Most costly due to least weight and cool stying.
Faster rivers, concern for "well-loved" abuse - go Royalex laminate or similar. They're TOUGH but a tad heavier (still better than aluminum IMHO). Slightly less costly, more "durability," more weight.
If you're really looking for a really cheap beater that's worth it (but considerably heavier) go with one of those Coleman RamX canoes that Canadian Tire sells. I've had 2, beat the snot out of them and they survived. As heavy as aluminum, but near indestructible.

Get good paddles with a light weight canoe. Comfortable, ergonomic, light-weight wooden ones (seem pricey but like having comfortable shoes, and you can keep them on and "wear" them forever!) can be found at the canoe/kayak store near Islington and QEW - or at the sportsman show this weekend. If going with the coleman type canoe, and throw it in the back of the truck is what you need, try those metal/plastic paddles. If you're considering a long venture, think about the weight - 10's of 1000's of paddle strokes can really tire a kid out. Google sizing a canoe paddle will also help because length is very important so you don't over-reach or lean away with a long stroke.

At the outdoor adventure show either Scott or Swift (I think swift) was having a canoe show at the Guelph Conservation Area provincial park (above the Shand Dam) where they'll have demos and used/imperfects. You might find a great deal there, and if you email asking for a specific model to try out they'll bring it along.

Good luck.
M

 

[stdavidsboy]

Kevlar for lakes,faster and lighter, Aluminum for river trips. Here is a link to some used canoes: http://www.algonquin...evt/sales5.html

Lighter, yes. "Faster" in theory maybe, but probably no practically. Perhaps a marginal difference, but how fast you go will be more determined by your prevailing winds/current, paddling style, stroke, and the weight of you and the gear you stuff in your canoe, which will be proportionally more than the weight of your canoe. Kevlar might be a bit faster but that's debatable. Besides, are you in the canoe to travel quickly? Pick up an outboard and aluminum boat if so

Instead of hurrying, pick a nice canoe route to start (See Kevin Callan's book on "50 best canoe routes of Ontario") and plan to take a bit more time than you expect. I think my wife and I canoe 4-5km/h. Its about a walking pace on flat water. Plan for snacks, pit stops, and of course fishing! Somehow my fishing gear always weighs more than I expect

Cheers
M

 

[Spinninreel]

Lighter, yes. "Faster" in theory maybe, but probably no practically. Perhaps a marginal difference, but how fast you go will be more determined by your prevailing winds/current, paddling style, stroke, and the weight of you and the gear you stuff in your canoe, which will be proportionally more than the weight of your canoe. Kevlar might be a bit faster but that's debatable. Besides, are you in the canoe to travel quickly? Pick up an outboard and aluminum boat if so

Instead of hurrying, pick a nice canoe route to start (See Kevin Callan's book on "50 best canoe routes of Ontario") and plan to take a bit more time than you expect. I think my wife and I canoe 4-5km/h. Its about a walking pace on flat water. Plan for snacks, pit stops, and of course fishing! Somehow my fishing gear always weighs more than I expect

Cheers
M

I have had a Kevlar next to an aluminum canoes and there was a significant difference.

 

[stdavidsboy]

I have had a Kevlar next to an aluminum canoes and there was a significant difference.

Ok - agree to disagree. Done the same, found differently. My main concerns with aluminum in a river is that they dent or kink by far more than other materials (like non-Kevlar laminates) and the weight makes launches, portages, and lift-overs kind of suck. Although thy were the mainstay of canoeing adventures for some years. I also hate the way they feel under foot in the hot sun. I guess I'm getting picky LOL. I find it difficult to recommend aluminum at all head days, given the other great materials out there for similar cost.

Value for money: pick up a used Coleman ramX. Spare cash? Get a Kevlar. Compromises between are numerous.

Enjoy he warm spring weather! My canoe stays put until fishing slows

 

[ChaseChrome]

Great insights guys (furiously taking notes)--many thanks.
CC

 

[Spinninreel]

Ok - agree to disagree. Done the same, found differently. My main concerns with aluminum in a river is that they dent or kink by far more than other materials (like non-Kevlar laminates) and the weight makes launches, portages, and lift-overs kind of suck. Although thy were the mainstay of canoeing adventures for some years. I also hate the way they feel under foot in the hot sun. I guess I'm getting picky LOL. I find it difficult to recommend aluminum at all head days, given the other great materials out there for similar cost.

Value for money: pick up a used Coleman ramX. Spare cash? Get a Kevlar. Compromises between are numerous.

Enjoy he warm spring weather! My canoe stays put until fishing slows

Yes, aluminum does dent, but that has it's advantages. I was on a canoe trip a long time ago, and we ad set up camp for the evening. A fierce storm blewup and flew one of the canoes into a tree. The mid section had a depth of about 4 inches. One of the guys took a rock and banged the hull back into shape so that he was able to complete the trip with this canoe.
For being on the water, on most lakes I like the kevlar. I don't know how good the Kevlar would be when being pulled up on rocks and how it would wear. The ramx is more durable I would presume but will show it's age if pulled up on rocks. We have had a gruman Canoe for 25 years and it still looks great.

 

[hightechdecks]

if you are planning any to any portaging dont get ram x its a really heavy boat

 

[stdavidsboy]

if you are planning any to any portaging dont get ram x its a really heavy boat

Agreed! My suggestion was merely for durability's sake. They do require a strong set of pipes to pick up. Kevlar canoes are something else, aren't they?! Last one I picked up at the Outdoors Show was 34lbs. Totally ridiculous! Love it!

 

[hightechdecks]

ever paddle an ABS? i havent but hear they are a trippers dream. Myslef i'm partial to Langfords expedition kevlar.

 

[ChaseChrome]

ever paddle an ABS? i havent but hear they are a trippers dream. Myslef i'm partial to Langfords expedition kevlar.

I saw that one--very nice

 

[Spinninreel]

So some who do regular canoe trips, the weight of the canoe is becoming less important because they are using canoe dollies which you can transport our canoe with everything in it along the trail without much strain.

 

[chuckles]

I have a 21 foot ceder strip can it be made into a flat back for a motor weights like 350 pounds east coast moose hunting one ><

 

[AaronKrick]

Get an old town saranac 146xt from bass pro shops. They are cheap and strong. I have one. They have backrests built in and and a bench seat in the middle with a cooler.

Cat