Radisson 12' square stern?

[jjmaine]

I am contemplating trying to find a 12' square stern Radisson. I currently have an Old Town Osprey 14' and love it but Ive decided to use a trolling motor for my longer fishing days and discovered the Radisson which may work better for the motor.

At 12', a square stern and only 43lbs it looks like a great solo fishing boat unless I'm missing something. Does any one have one or has used one and can let me know how it is?

I'm not opposed to using my Osprey with the motor either but thinking a separate boat for different days might be the way to go if I can find one used for a far deal. I'm definitely keeping the Osprey...

 

[memaquay]

The Radisson, or Sportspals as we call them in Canada, are constructed from very lightweight aluminium, that is riveted together and then covered in foam. If you use them gently, they can be a great lightweight vehicle to get into fishing lakes. However, I would call them fragile, compared to most good canoes. The aluminum can tear fairly easily, and leaks from the rivets is a fairly common problem.

I've had some experience with them....my dad ordered one from Sears in the 1970's. It began leaking the week after we got it. Then me and my chums wrapped one around a tree in early spring flood waters. The aluminum is so soft that we were able to bang it back to a shape resembling a canoe with rubber mallets, but despite many applications of roofing tar, we were never able to make it leak proof.

So for gentle use on placid waters, I think it should be great. If you are thinking of dragging it over beaver dams or bouncing off rocks in a river, it might not be the best choice.

 

[jjmaine]

Thanks! I was wondering how tough they were and thinking being so light it has to be pretty thin aluminum.

Would my Royalex Osprey be tougher? I'm not hard on stuff particularly but I also don't want to have to worry all the time either.