View Full Version : Canoe
mtnkngxt
11-03-2008, 15:52
I've been looking for a canoe for the better part of 4 years, and have still yet to find a used one reasonably cheap. If anyone has one or has a line on one I'm interested. Looking for pref an Olde Town or another of solid construction.
http://www.unclehenrys.com/CLASSIFIEDS/Search/Results.aspx?searchcriteriaid=39741955&categoryid=171
Long way from you, but you must have something like this down there. I think you can put free "wanted ads" on this site.
Probably a bizillion canoes around here gathering dust.
bloodmountainman
11-03-2008, 16:18
I have an Old Town 158 I'd be willing to sell . In good shape with several hundred river miles on her. PM for details.
i took my uncle's 60+ year old 14' olde town out this summer... weighed about 45#, and was still good as new, though he did finally glass the bottom (vs original canvas) after some scouts punched a hole in the bottom a few years back (not my peers, certainly!) :D. he bought it for $75 back in 1944... i figured i'd like one, until i saw the current prices!
so i decided to build my own... check out the Eureka 155 at Storer Boat plans... cost me just over $500 and just under 80 hours to build, weighs just at 50#, and knowing what i know now, i could probably do it for about $450, 65 hours, and 45#... i'll get some photos up sometime soon...
Jim Adams
11-03-2008, 23:24
Check ebay and craig's list. Lots of canoes for cheap everywhere in the USA. BTW, don't know how much you want to spend but $300-$500 is cheap depending on brand and model. If you are just starting out canoeing, look for a $150 Grumman aluminum canoe. Grummans last forever and are not overly heavy and they are surprisingly good performance for aluminum. Look for a 15'-17' model. Disadvantages of the aluminum are that it is "cold" and noisey but they are surprisingly versatile...I was in a canoe race with a friend of mine in January back in 1980, we were cold but we were winning...built a fire in the aluminum canoe and kept going:)...had to run close to shore occassionaly to get more wood but we were warm and won...I have had about 25 canoes since then but still have that one! If you find that you like canoeing then you will have a better idea of what you want in a canoes performance and will be able to buy a higher performance canoe with more knowledge then re-sale the Grumman.
geek
Doughnut
11-04-2008, 06:42
I built a cedar strip canoe a few years ago. There are several resources on line for help, makes a great project.
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 07:47
Thanks for the advice all I am looking to spend between 300-500 on a good used one. I'll check out the aluminum option also thanks.
What type of canoe are you looking for? Stable, fast, solo, tandem, flatwater, whitewater?
I used to sell canoes, so I know a little bit about design and materials. Before you buy, make sure you know what is most important to you. Buying a "one canoe that can do everything" doesn't mean it can do everything well. Every design is a compromise in one way or another. Take, for instance, the Mad River Explorer. I bought one back in the '90s - fiberglass. It was good at a lot of things, but the "V" cross-section made it act as if it was hinged in the middle, and it didn't like to sit level in the water unless it was well loaded, and it paddled miserably solo. I eventually sold it and bought a Wenonah Advantage - a solo canoe with more speed at the expense of stability - and I couldn't be happier.
So- what is it that you're looking for, performance-wise? How will you be using it most of the time?
Jim Adams
11-04-2008, 08:26
What type of canoe are you looking for? Stable, fast, solo, tandem, flatwater, whitewater?
I used to sell canoes, so I know a little bit about design and materials. Before you buy, make sure you know what is most important to you. Buying a "one canoe that can do everything" doesn't mean it can do everything well. Every design is a compromise in one way or another. Take, for instance, the Mad River Explorer. I bought one back in the '90s - fiberglass. It was good at a lot of things, but the "V" cross-section made it act as if it was hinged in the middle, and it didn't like to sit level in the water unless it was well loaded, and it paddled miserably solo. I eventually sold it and bought a Wenonah Advantage - a solo canoe with more speed at the expense of stability - and I couldn't be happier.
So- what is it that you're looking for, performance-wise? How will you be using it most of the time?
Seemed to me that he didn't have alot of canoeing experience thus the grumman recommendation until he found what properties he was looking for in a canoe. You are definitely right about design differences....a good canoeist can literally have a "golf bag" of different boats all for different uses. Most people looking for a canoe don't understand hydrodynamics and therefore the design differences.:eek:
geek
Seemed to me that he didn't have alot of canoeing experience thus the grumman recommendation until he found what properties he was looking for in a canoe. You are definitely right about design differences....a good canoeist can literally have a "golf bag" of different boats all for different uses. Most people looking for a canoe don't understand hydrodynamics and therefore the design differences.:eek:
geek
Jim: I had not intention of undermining your recommendation of the Grumman canoe. I've used them for fishing and they are great for a lot of activities. They do (aluminum canoes), however, have a tendency to stick on rocks, especially because they have that protruding keel, and can flip more easily in rapids than boats made of other materials.
The Wenonah catalog is a great source of information on boat design and materials. I recommend to any canoe enthusiast that he/she try to get their hands on one or at least study the information on their website.
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 09:03
I've been paddling up north in Maine for the better part of 14 years with my grandfather. He has an old no name aluminum 18ft still water canoe that we use on the local lake for fly fishing. He also has a Old Town 18foot river boat. Basically right now I'm looking for a stable solo boat. Speed is not that important to me, I'll mostly be hitting up some local shallow rivers here in Wise county and then upper james when I'm home for the summers. Then some river paddling on trips to my grandparents. I think the most technical I'll be doing is maybe a class II-III I'm not up on my brands and designs on canoes.
aaroniguana
11-04-2008, 09:22
For $450 I'll make you one of these, delivered:
http://www.bateau2.com/free/cheapcanoe.htm
Ok - According to your intended usage, you should be looking for a boat with a relatively flat bottom, moderate rocker (probably 1.5-2" oneach end), no external keel to catch on rocks, and probably made of fiberglass (cheapest), Royalex (more expensive) or Kevlar (out of your price range).
Paddling solo, you'll probably be paddling from the center of the canoe unless you have a load. On flat water, you can place the load up front and paddle from the stern, or you can paddle the canoe backwards, sitting in the bow seat with the load in the stern (if the canoe is symmetrical - performance canoes are often widest just aft of center - asymmetrical). In rough water, you'll want the load to be near the center (as you will be) to allow the bow and stern to ride up and down waves.
If you have a canoe dealer in your area, call and ask if they have a "paddling day" (usually sponsored by a manufacturer), where you can try out various designs. Sometimes dealers will have blemished or rental canoes available at reduced rates.
Being most familiar with the Wenonah brand, here's an example of what I think you might have in mind:
http://www.wenonah.com/products/template/product_detail.php?IID=38&SID=3b4a009560c323cac5daa77c5b0fa049
This one has a little more rocker than I'd recommend for flatwater use, but it would make it better on rivers.
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 12:26
Thats just what I had in mind. Something simple and durable.
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 12:27
I may just pick up an extra job and buy new if I can't find one I like used. Are there alot of paddlers on WB and do yall do trips down south?
If anyone goes near Bangor Maine they should definitely vist the Old Town Canoe Companies factory outlet in Old Town. It has a small museum in addition to some great bargains, and the people are very friendly and helpful. They sold me a hatch cover assembly of the type they use in their kayaks, which isn't sold anywhere as a retail item, and they did it basically at cost. Nice folks. They had clothes and gear and stuff also, but what was particularly noteworthy was their price on paddles. Excellent selection of paddles, low end to high end, and very good prices. It's worth the visit just to browse, but if you need a paddle you will be very pleased.
Here they are on a map. That is actually their main office. They can direct you to their factory outlet which is about 5 minutes up river.
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=35+Middle+Street&city=Old Town&state=ME&zip=04468
Sorry about that link. The main office address is 35 Middle Street Old Town Maine.
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 13:35
No problem I've been there a few times. Real nice setup they've got.
Everyone should have a Grumman at least once in their life. Don't they take abuse.
Makes you appreciate a "fussy" boat.
Check craigslist and your local paper or trader for an Old Town Pack canoe. It's a somewhat stubby royalex canoe, it's light at 33lbs and is probably one of the most common and available solo canoes. It's a decent all around canoe, not particularly fast @ 12 feet but with enough capacity for a big man and gear. It only sells for about 700 new, so you should be able to find one in your budget.
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=27
mtnkngxt
11-04-2008, 16:27
I like the pack as well, but at 12 feet I think anything over classII could landme swamped and fishing myself my boat and my gear out of the water. I guess I should Include that I'm considering thru paddling the http://northernforestcanoetrail.org/ this summer or next. My college experience is quickly lengthening and I'm looking for a way to get out during the summer to get a break. From what I understand there are a couple of class III-IV rapids along the trip.
There is a canoe in Erwin, tn 4-sale for 250.00. I think it is a 17' coleman ram. If you want to check it out, it is right off the interstate by Holiday Inn. Its located on the left before Whites supermarket. It has a couple of scratches and some small dents. But, I'm not sure what kind you need for running rapids. Good luck.
I've been looking for a canoe for the better part of 4 years, and have still yet to find a used one reasonably cheap. If anyone has one or has a line on one I'm interested. Looking for pref an Olde Town or another of solid construction.
you can buy a brand new canoe for 450.00 bucks or less,dicks and academey sports good place to start:cool:neo
http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/marine/kayaks&start=0&selectedSKU=0142-02305-5010
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1304214
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131645
you can buy a brand new canoe for 450.00 bucks or less,dicks and academey sports good place to start:cool:neo
http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/marine/kayaks&start=0&selectedSKU=0142-02305-5010
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1304214
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131645
i prefer kayaks i have a 14 ft tandem i like,i removed the front seat for more cargo space:cool:neo
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131668
canoehead
11-11-2008, 16:09
I callem Rock magnets ( Grumman )
I race WW Canoes and I've wrapped a few Old Town & Mohawks around stumps & rocks during the learning process that was fun but costly.
I've gone on to launching myself off waterfalls with my kayak now, it'smuch more fun. Get a beater boat something you can drag around and have fun with, till you figure out what you want then buy a nice boat.
I like the pack as well, but at 12 feet I think anything over classII could landme swamped and fishing myself my boat and my gear out of the water. I guess I should Include that I'm considering thru paddling the http://northernforestcanoetrail.org/ this summer or next. My college experience is quickly lengthening and I'm looking for a way to get out during the summer to get a break. From what I understand there are a couple of class III-IV rapids along the trip.
Wow, that looks like a freeking awesome trip. I hadn't heard of it before.
Have fun with your search, solo canoes are fun. Don't discard the pack because of class 3, it's capacity is very high compared to a lot of other solos. It's 33lbs, you'll have 55 miles of portages.
kayak karl
11-11-2008, 20:14
this place sells off their used each year. http://www.belhavencanoe.com/NeckyKayaks.htm got to be a place similar near you.:-?
Some of the canoe rental places along the rivers sell used canoes at the end of the season.
mtnkngxt
11-14-2008, 23:36
Thats what I was originally going to try to get was a used one, but have pretty much decided on a new We no nah solo or a used Mad River Kevlar a friend of mine has.
You can not go wrong with the Mad River Kevlar,great quality J.
papa john
11-15-2008, 08:19
What kind of canoe would be good for slow moving rivers and very still water bayous. I need something pretty stable as we have lots of gators in these waters.
Don't the locals have a favorite type of watercraft?
I would not enjoy poking a canoe up on a root in the swamp.
take-a-knee
11-15-2008, 09:15
What kind of canoe would be good for slow moving rivers and very still water bayous. I need something pretty stable as we have lots of gators in these waters.
If you are going with a partner, get a quality 16' canoe like a Mad River Explorer or a Wenonah Adirondack. I have the latter. If you want to go solo, I'd avoid canoes, get a sit-on-top kayak like the Ocean Kayak Drifter, and a Model 66 S&W for the gators.
Ever been to Appomattox River Co.? THE best selection good deals, reasonable prices, centrally located in VA. We have bought kayks and canoes there.
Frau
I have an olde town 13.6 footer. three feet wide. this canoe is about 5 years old and has been in the water about 40 times. You cannot turn this canoe over. You can stand and flycast w/o turning over. I have done many times. It has wood cane webbing with a third middle seat that I installed allowing for solo use. The canoe is in excellent shape. email hartused@comcast.net. Ilive in Blacksburg va, not too far. email for Phone #, and we can discuss.
papa john
11-15-2008, 10:51
If you are going with a partner, get a quality 16' canoe like a Mad River Explorer or a Wenonah Adirondack. I have the latter. If you want to go solo, I'd avoid canoes, get a sit-on-top kayak like the Ocean Kayak Drifter, and a Model 66 S&W for the gators.
Yep, a lot of fisherman use the SOT kayaks around here. I'd be concerned about being so close to the water, not sure if the gators would look at you as a potential meal served up on a tippy plate. But, I understand that some of these kayaks are quite stable.
What kind of canoe would be good for slow moving rivers and very still water bayous. I need something pretty stable as we have lots of gators in these waters.
Hey John, most any old canoe will do in our area. I like a fat Old Towne myself. A while back, Fairhope Boat Co. on Section St. had some used boats for sale and their new location on the Causeway, at 5 Rivers may have some also. If you haven't checked out the 5 Rivers museum, you should see the mounted gator they have from last years hunt. It will certainly reaffirm your concern about sitting too low on the water!
chief
papa john
11-15-2008, 13:04
Hey John, most any old canoe will do in our area. I like a fat Old Towne myself. A while back, Fairhope Boat Co. on Section St. had some used boats for sale and their new location on the Causeway, at 5 Rivers may have some also. If you haven't checked out the 5 Rivers museum, you should see the mounted gator they have from last years hunt. It will certainly reaffirm your concern about sitting too low on the water!
chief
Hey Chief! I was over there a year or so ago, but didn't go into any of the buildings. I'll have to check it out.
John
John, it's worthwhile. I attended a wedding there during the summer.
I found the website which has a pic of the gator and a big old hog:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/facilities/exhibit/
papa john
11-15-2008, 15:00
John, it's worthwhile. I attended a wedding there during the summer.
I found the website which has a pic of the gator and a big old hog:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers/facilities/exhibit/
Yikes! Both those would make anyone think twice about camping along any of these rivers...
fiddlehead
11-15-2008, 20:42
I bought my Old Town at the factory about 25 years ago now. It's a 16'9 and a great canoe for canoe camping. Holds 1100 lbs or something silly like that. (coolers, grills, etc)
I haven't used it now in a long time but can't bring myself to sell it. I know i'll use it again when my boy is a little older. i'd let you use it if i knew you or you lived closer.
It's just sitting there gathering dust.
brooklynkayak
11-25-2008, 12:26
If it hasn't been mentioned:
paddling.net has the most extensive canoe classifieds.
I know there are a lot of canoes for sale in the NYC area and north.
If you can deal with an old aluminum(heavy) one, people are practically giving them away.
stevie
Alligator
11-25-2008, 12:40
If it hasn't been mentioned:
paddling.net has the most extensive canoe classifieds.
I know there are a lot of canoes for sale in the NYC area and north.
If you can deal with an old aluminum(heavy) one, people are practically giving them away.
stevieDo they post many kayaks?
Do they post many kayaks?
Yeah, lots of them.
Jim Adams
11-25-2008, 15:33
If you are doing the canoe trail. I would consider an Old Town Penobscot in 15' or 16'. they are made of royalex 84 which is a little lighter than normal royalex. They may "mark, dent and scratch" easier than normal royalex but the 16' only weighs 58lbs., is probably the fastest royalex canoe made, can be paddled tandam or solo and if your skills are up to it, will handle class iv whitewater on a trip (not necessarily playing in it...isn't a fast turning boat). I've used one in the Arctic and all over Canadian and American rivers and lakes and may be the most forgiving AND versatile canoe currently produced. Dick's Sporting Goods sells them for a little over $700 new.
I am currently wearing out my second one.
geek
brooklynkayak
11-26-2008, 21:44
Do they post many kayaks?
Oh yeah. Used kayaks tend to be more in demand so people tend to ask more for a used one.
But when it comes down to buying used kayaks or canoes, there aren't any moving parts to wear out so, yes, buy used!
stevie