What size canoe
07-04-2006, 06:35 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: west central wi USA
Posts: 2,242
RE: What size canoe
It depends on how you want to use it, but a 14 or 15 ft. canoe would be good. If you are going to shoot out of it, you'll need something wider. If it is your transport to your secret spot, a narrower one paddles more efficiently. If you get them too short, they paddle like bathtubs. Unless you're paddling mostly lakes, make sure you get one without a keel. In a flowing water situation, manuevering with a keel is a pain in the @$$.
07-04-2006, 08:59 AM
#6
Super Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 7,182
RE: What size canoe
I use a 17 ft canoe when I do anytype of camping and hunting. But its a NO NO to shoot while in any type of boat, canoe etc. Here in Indiana it is illegal to shoot from a water vessel. check your state regulations...
07-04-2006, 08:35 PM
#7
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,564
RE: What size canoe
If you are doing your hunting in a small stream area a 14'7"
will do the job fine. On the bigger rivers or lakes I like to use
a 17'4" canoe. Both of mine are Old Town canoes and are made
for most any situation. The 14'7" is an Old Town Guide canoe
and is fairly wide on the bottom so it is pretty stable. The other
is an Old Town Discovery and wide on the Bottom.
As VA Head Hunter stated it also needs to be considered
how much stuff you would be packing with you.
Good Luck
will do the job fine. On the bigger rivers or lakes I like to use
a 17'4" canoe. Both of mine are Old Town canoes and are made
for most any situation. The 14'7" is an Old Town Guide canoe
and is fairly wide on the bottom so it is pretty stable. The other
is an Old Town Discovery and wide on the Bottom.
As VA Head Hunter stated it also needs to be considered
how much stuff you would be packing with you.
Good Luck
07-05-2006, 06:05 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 12,564
RE: What size canoe
You would need one with a keel on it and the 14'7" would be good
you are by yourself. You would need to put a bag of sand or a large
rock in the bow to keep the wind from blowing it around on you. If 2
I would use the bigger one but the 14'7" would do the trick.
you are by yourself. You would need to put a bag of sand or a large
rock in the bow to keep the wind from blowing it around on you. If 2
I would use the bigger one but the 14'7" would do the trick.
07-05-2006, 04:34 PM
#10
Fork Horn
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 335
RE: What size canoe
Phil has given some good info. I have a 17' aluminium Grumman. It's considered the Chevy Suburban of canoes, the kind they use at scout camps. I know there are other canoes that are more manuverable but for the lakes and and river mouths it works fine. I find it to be very stable as long as I do my part. I've had it in some pretty serious white caps when I got caught in the middle of a lake and it did well. While it's shiny silver shell doesn't lend well to hunting, it can hold a ton of gear.Some of the canoes that phil mentioned are rated up to 700-900 lbs. Take a look at the rating. Load your gear to the front and middle and paddle from the back or middle. Make sure you account for the weight of the deer you might bring back. When my son and I go out I load the gear to the front and middle to balance out the load, since I have 100 lbs on him. I've had the wife and 4 kids, plus fishing gear, food and water in the canoe without any problems. My beast is rated to around 900 - 1000 lbs.
I envy your trip. Good luck.
Spud
I envy your trip. Good luck.
Spud