Best canoe for canadian style paddling

[L-P Berrouard]

Hi everybody,
I'm in the process of looking to buy a new canoe and wondered if anybody had experience with the boats I'm narrowing my search to. I paddle almost exclusively heeled over, kneeled in the center, canadian style. I paddle without gear and mostly on lakes and slow rivers. In other words, I don't need loading capacity or crazy depth for splashes.
I have been paddling the last decade with a Quessy Saguenay which is essentially a Bob's Special in fiberglass, 64 pounds.
As I'm getting a bit older I'd like to lower the weight and treat myself with something new. I've narrowed my search to:
-Nova craft Bobs special
-esquif huron 15
-esquif echo (14 feet)
-rhéaume twister (13 feet)
-nova craft prospector 15

Any feedback and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dutchlennart]

Hi lp,

To me canadian style is big boat pasdlesld solo kneeled in the middle lenght wise. Kneeled in the chines gunnel close t9 the water narrow blade.

Boat wise. big is good. Bigger is better.
So while the twister and echo are great boats. Not f9r this
All other 3 you mentioned are fine the huron will be heavier then most lay ups the nova's can be.

Light is nice for the body. I had great.times spinning 18 ft carbon tandems..
A bit.heavier. still briliant on the water was a wenonah minnesota 3 .

Let us know what your new boat will be

 

[Steve in Idaho]

I know for sure the Nova Craft Prospector series are great for that paddling style. But I've used that style just as well (with differences in maneuverability) in numerous other canoes, including the Old Town Penobscot, Mad River Explorer and Malecite, and even the Mad River Guide. But when I think of Canadian style, I think Prospector.

 

[L-P Berrouard]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd probably buy the Bob's Special in aramid if I was to buy it today. I still contemplate shorter and narrower boats because I do like to freestyle as well. Something's gotta give I guess. Too bad Esquif are not producing light composite boats as the Huron at 15 feet with a rounded hull and a 2.75" of rocker really tickled my interest. At 50lbs, it's on the heavier side compared to the 39lbs Bob's Special.

 

[L-P Berrouard]

I know for sure the Nova Craft Prospector series are great for that paddling style. But I've used that style just as well (with differences in maneuverability) in numerous other canoes, including the Old Town Penobscot, Mad River Explorer and Malecite, and even the Mad River Guide. But when I think of Canadian style, I think Prospector.

 

[L-P Berrouard]

Yes, it seems prospectors were made just for that. Although funny enough, Bill Mason and Omer Stinger, both pioneers of that paddling style, paddled a Chestnut Pal (Mason) and chestnuts Chum/Bob's special (Stinger). Fair to say all these boats are variations based on the prospector.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Yes, and given that your stated use doesn't include heavy loads, those models may be more suitable for you in those lengths. An unloaded 15'+ Prospector can be unfun in any kind of wind. Going with a shorter version is more appropriate as a solo day tripper, IMO.

That works in your favor, considering the lighter weights. My experience doesn't include any of the Esquif models you mentioned, but I think you might like the Swift Prospector 14 or a Wildfire. I haven't done much paddling of that style in the Wildfire, but just enough to know it would work just fine. Much less sail in the wind also.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

As I'm getting a bit older I'd like to lower the weight and treat myself with something new. I've narrowed my search to:
-Nova craft Bobs special

I have an Aramid Lite Nova Craft Bob Special (40 lbs.) in close-to-new condition that I would like to sell. It paddles Canadian Style extremely well. However, it is currently located near Jacksonville, Florida, at a family member's house.