Deciding which canoe

[Canoewiia]

Hi everyone. I am looking to buy a kevlar/carbon canoe for fishing and easy paddling on ponds and small lakes. No stream/river or large lake use. I estimate it will be used 90% solo but may have an occasional person. I'm not new to canoes as I had a 16'6" BlueWater kevlar canoe for many years. I am new, however, to the concept of using a double-blade paddle rather than a single one, should that be the course I take. I prefer a canoe no longer than 14' and the weight less than 30lbs.

I'm open to a recommendation of any company although Slipstream and Hornbeck immediately come to mind as they are located in my region. I've never paddled from a position low in a canoe so that concept has been a challenge in determining which canoe is right or wrong. My back isn't what it used to be so I'm thinking of an elevated seating position of some degree.

I've also see some companies that use vacuum infusion either in all their models or as an add-on feature. It comes as a cost of $400-$600+ which is either built-in or added on the total cost. Not sure if there is a tangible benefit to me other than a slight reduction in weight. If not, I likely wouldn't choose one that used the VIP.

Any words of wisdom and direction would be greatly appreciated. I am a clean slate and willing to look at any company and model although I'm looking for a really-nice Toyota rather than a Formula One Ferrari.

 

[dutchlennart]

hi Canoewiia,
A lot depends on youur size and your companion. if hormbeck is closeby , I would go there for a testpaddle. they like sitting low and doubleblading. over here the waters are to big and windy to enjoy most of their boats. I doulbeblade in a kayak or surfski on big open waters/sea. I singleblade in most other environments.
lookingforwrd in reading what others will advise and what you will choose. and of course tripreports with the new canoe.

 

[canootrippa]

Hi everyone. I am looking to buy a kevlar/carbon canoe for fishing and easy paddling on ponds and small lakes. No stream/river or large lake use. I estimate it will be used 90% solo but may have an occasional person. I'm not new to canoes as I had a 16'6" BlueWater kevlar canoe for many years. I am new, however, to the concept of using a double-blade paddle rather than a single one, should that be the course I take. I prefer a canoe no longer than 14' and the weight less than 30lbs.

I'm open to a recommendation of any company although Slipstream and Hornbeck immediately come to mind as they are located in my region. I've never paddled from a position low in a canoe so that concept has been a challenge in determining which canoe is right or wrong. My back isn't what it used to be so I'm thinking of an elevated seating position of some degree.

I've also see some companies that use vacuum infusion either in all their models or as an add-on feature. It comes as a cost of $400-$600+ which is either built-in or added on the total cost. Not sure if there is a tangible benefit to me other than a slight reduction in weight. If not, I likely wouldn't choose one that used the VIP.

Any words of wisdom and direction would be greatly appreciated. I am a clean slate and willing to look at any company and model although I'm looking for a really-nice Toyota rather than a Formula One Ferrari.

It sounds like you are just starting the decision process, but have put some good thought into it. I would suggest that the next step be to separate the 'musts' from the 'wants'. For example, do you 'want' the ability to paddle tandem, or is it a 'must'? That will have a huge influence on your boat choice. There aren't many (any?) 14 foot tandem canoe options that weigh 30 pounds or less. There are 15 foot tandem canoes that can easily be paddled solo approaching the 30 pound target, but they are expensive. If you choose a dedicated solo canoe, it will be much easier to achieve the 14 foot / 30 pounds or less objectives.

As a next step, I would highly recommend that you do some test paddling. If you don't own a double-bladed paddle, there will likely be one available at the test paddle event for you to try. If you haven't paddled a pack-style canoe with a low seating position, it would be best to try it before making a decision to confirm that it meets your fishing style (bring your fishing equipment and other canoe gear with you to try it in the boat). There are several manufacturers and dealers who offer test paddling in the Central NY and ADK region.

If you are still having trouble making up your mind, I would suggest that you make a 'best guess' and buy a used canoe at a fair market price and start paddling it. If it's not what you end up wanting in a canoe, you can sell it for about the same price you paid for it.

The multitude of choices is all part of the fun with canoes. All the best to you!

 

[GeoBoy]

Slipstream is having their End of Summer demo days on September 19th from 10AM to 3PM, check out their website. They make a 14’ tandem in the weight range you’re looking at, but meet with them and discuss your needs. Good luck.

 

[Canoewiia]

Great advice, thank you both. Most of my paddling will be on smaller bodies of water or meandering streams that offer trees to help reduce wind to a small extent. I won't doing large bodies of open water at all nor anything that is not flatwater.

The seat position is the one issue I haven't figured out yet because it not only involves paddling and back considerations but fishing from a much lower position which I've never done. I'm confident neither are insurmountable...I'm just trying to avoid a self-inflicted mistake in judgment with the purchase.

The only time I'd have someone else in the canoe would possibly just to paddle around for an hour or two. It's down the list of my wants and not on my list of must haves. Only if it can work without compromising the 90% of the time I will alone. For example, Slipstream has their SportsDuo 13 which would allow a 2nd person to cruise around the pond with me, so to speak. I wouldn't subject someone else to a prolonged ride in it.

https://www.slipstreamwatercraft.com/sportduo13

I am going to take a look at some Northstar canoes in a few hours.

 

[Canoewiia]

Thank you, GeoBoy. I'll be sure not to miss the End of the Summer event. That would be very helpful.

 

[Alan Gage]

Normally I would day to completely forget about tandem but you seem to be realistic about the types of water you'll be paddling and what you want to do with your occasional tandem partner. Most of us here would much rather have a dedicated solo canoe because it would be so much more versatile and a tandem of those dimensions would be a very poor compromise. But most of us are not using a canoe the way you plan to. I think you're on a good track so far and some test paddles will be the next step to answer questions that probably can't be answered otherwise.

As for the low seating position that would not be my favorite but, realistically, kayaks are the most popular water craft out there and they all have low seats. Tons of people fish from them. I used to fish from kayaks before I switched to canoes. I really didn't find it to be an issue.

For the back issues I'd look into something like a kayak seat that supports your lower back or a back band. I'm sure both Hornbeck and Slipstream have dealt with this issue before and can provide good advice.

I wouldn't say my back is 'bad' but I do have two fused discs in my lower back (about 7 years ago). Last year I bought a surfski and had no trouble at all sitting and paddling in the low bucket.

Alan

 

[Canoewiia]

Had an opportunity yesterday to see several Northstar canoes and was favorably impressed. Saw the Trillium and Firebird as they were out on the floor. It was a busy day and their ADK 12 was up on a holding shelf so I never saw it other than from afar.

I liked the aluminum gunnels although they seemed a bit narrow but I'm used to the wooden gunnels of my Bluewater. These were sleek and buttoned up. I'll go back this week for a test drive under quieter conditions.

I did get the impression that both the Trillium and Firebird are not meant for meandering around a pond's water lillies and fishing. More of a performance package for open water.

Am I correct in that assessment?

 

[RBourg]

Take some time to consider seating position, sitting very low can be a struggle when getting out after a long paddle if your back is already compromised. I frequently paddle a solo Swift Keewaydin that has a the standard height canoe seat and I attach a strap on seat cushion/seatback that is handy when sitting still fishing and relaxing. I really do enjoy the higher seat position and it is more natural to me than when I paddle my wife's Hornbeck.

 

[Canoewiia]

I'm totally new to canoes where you sit low in the craft. Today, I went to a few places to see, or test drive, a few canoes.

Started off by going to Hornbeck and paddled two models in their pond. You can get move pretty quickly in their packboats and they were comfortable for the short time I was in them. Not sure my legs would like remaining in that position for a few hours.

Next, I went to Saranac Lake to a dealer and saw both Swift and We-no-nah canoes. The wind was ferocious so I didn't test drive anything. Both companies make beautiful canoes and I took special notice of the Swift ones.

I ended up the day spending time at Placid Boatworks and really enjoyed that. The co-owner was a delight to talk with and their canoes are exquisite. Didn't have the time at that point to test drive one but I can go back in a week or two and do so. Masterpieces in my opinion.

The good news is by talking to those who make their livelihood in this industry, and getting their advice, you learn a lot. That's an important ingredient in adding certain canoes to the list while subtracting others. Moreover, in the short period I've been on this forum, all you kind folks have been been helpful beyond description. Thank you.

The search narrows yet continues.

 

[Canoewiia]

One of the issues that dawned on me is where do you bring your canoe if there is an issue with it. If it is one of the companies in my area that make and sell their canoes then, it is merely a short drive to drop off and pickup. In talking to several dealers who only sell the boats, they said repairs or other problems would get shipped back to the manufacturer. That could be Canada or who knows where.

Undoubtedly, some, or even many, of the people here are quite talented enough to do the repair themselves. I am all thumbs and have no interest in learning. I'd have to either find the needle-in-the-haystack who does such work or send it back to the manufacturer.

All things being otherwise equal, wouldn't it would seem to favor buying directly from one the manufacturers (3) in my area.

Is that a realistic factor or not something anyone concerns themselves with?

 

[Gamma1214]

Is that a realistic factor or not something anyone concerns themselves with?

Personally, I buy local (everything) if I can. Nothing against big box / online retailers but whatever you save in coin (usually not much) typically comes right out of your pockets anyway by depressing the local economy.

The fact that you can get more complete service after the sale by buying local is icing on the cake IMO

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I've owned 19 canoes and three kayaks over the past 46 years, which I've bought new and used from all over the USA and Canada. I also am an "anti-mechanic" who owns the fewest tools in the world, and have trouble with any repair more difficult than screwing in a light bulb.

In all that time, with all those boats, I only recall ever once needing to go back to a manufacturer for help with a repair. It was a local builder in the Adirondacks, a one man whitewater canoe shop, and I was an incompetent whitewater newbie who smashed up one of his new composite boats on a whitewater river way over my ability. He told me he didn't do repairs, and I found a canoe repair expert in Connecticut who fixed me up.

After that, I dinged a lightweight canoe twice but found dealers locally who would do simple fiberglass repairs.

In short, you probably will never have to repair your canoe unless there is some unusual event. Most dealers can help with outfitting and many do simple repairs. It is unlikely you will ever need to return a canoe to the manufacturer.

That said, if you like sitting on the floor of narrow pack canoes, there are four or five manufacturers in New York as well as dealers from manufacturers in other states and for Swift in Canada. Pack canoes are short and very light.

If you want an elevated seat in a more stable, regular solo canoe, there are many of those available, and you can sit on the bottom of any canoe if you want to. There are not many under 30 pounds for less than $4,500 USD new . . . or even more. You can get better deals used, especially if you are willing to go up to 40 pounds for a regular seated solo.

Happy hunting!