Canoes and bowhunting

[Magwa45]

I have a kayak built myself from a stitch and glue kit. It is very nice and fast, but really doesn't have room to do more than paddling. Then I was using an 16 foot wood and canvas canoe. That is great for hauling the family around, but just too large to handle on my own. I'd like to get a shorter canoe made out of royalex, just big enough for one of the kids or wife and small enough to solo in.

[amicus]

I love my canoe a pelican 16ft. Bought it used off of Craigs list for 150.00. Have not hunted in it but its a great way to spend time with my Son. He loves it.

Gilbert

[SELFBOW19953]

I have waterfowl hunted and flyfished (both fresh and saltwater) in my 17' Grumman for about 30 years.  I usually hunt and fish alone and you learn not to take chances when you're alone.  I  hunted with a retriever that was steady to wing and shot, she stayed put until I released her-only when the canoe was beached.

Back in the late 60's I went to the Boy Scout camp in Ely Minnesota and spent 2 weeks canoeing in the Quetico Provincial Forest, what a blast.

[Bob B.]

Well, I have a 15'8" wood canvas tandema nd a 16' royalex tandem I use to ply th eback waters of the Wisconsin river.  I explore public lands were few enter as the motor boats can't go where I do! It is excellent to get to the wild places quetly, hunt with stealth using traditonal equiptment.  Just something deeply satisfying about it.

Bob B.Noted canoe and bow junkie.

[Jeremy]

Here is my 16\\' stripper  before I put the finish on it.

[Covey]

Excellant post!! TTT, Jason

[straitera]

Flipped a 17' Grumman wide body aluminum w/2 people inside. Bad idea in cold temps. If you're careful it'll carry everything you need and more plus game.

[OkKeith]

We have a 14' (or so) Old Town Discovery. I have hunted and fished out of it for 10 years or so and never had any trouble. I have been in and out of canoes since I was a wee one.

I think there are a few essentials when looking for a "hunting" canoe. These are of course COMPLETLY different than what you would want for a white water craft.

I like a flat bottom (for a canoe, anyway). You give up some speed, but hey, were not running races. A flat bottom gives more initial stability. A little flare to the sides can provide secondary stability. For a flat water boat I also like a keel and little or no rocker (front to back curve). This helps keep the boat tracking straight. A canoe with a modest keel can still be used on slow flowing rivers and streams. If you are gonna be dragging over a lot of rocks, a keel can be a liability though.

Here is a decent link for looking at hull configurations and choosing a canoe:

  Choosing a canoe  

I grew up in alum. canoes. They are tough and fairly easy to repair, but they can be NOISY! A plastic boat (I use plastic to encompass anything not wood or metal) is quieter, won't freeze to your skin in cold weather and will not blister you in hot weather. A little more difficult to repair, but harder to damage. Wood boats are very attractive and can be as care free as plastic or alum. boats but have to be stored properly so they will last and do need some additional maint. They can be tough to repair after a bad pile-up.

Probably more than you wanted.

OkKeith

[Covey]

Me and 3 other buddy's took a 9 mile canoe trip a couple weeks back. The boat I was in was royalex the other canoe was aluminum, the alum canoe hung up in the rocks purdy bad but the royalex slid over the rocks with little effort, manuvered well and was quiet, it will also haul alot of weight for camping or hunting! royalex is deffinitly the way to go, just my opinion though!! Jason