canoes and bows

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I haven't used mine for hunting yet, but bow fishing it works great!

[collofthewild]

I'm really enjoying this thread!
Keep it up  

[Danny Muzzey]

Nice pictures, looks like a lot of fun too!

[South MS Bowhunter]

Here a couple pic's and a short video from last year with good friend Kirk Barnard (Possum head).  He managed to shoot a good eater pig.

 

 
 

[SELFBOW19953]

Daydreamer,

What brand of canoe is that?  Is it fiberglass?  How about weight and length?

Thanks.

Phil

[maineac]

Ron you have some great picts with grander memories!

[gringol]

Originally posted by SELFBOW19953:
Daydreamer,

What brand of canoe is that?  Is it fiberglass?  How about weight and length?

Thanks.

Phil

looks like a Sportspal.  I've got one like that.  It's wider and more stable than most canoes.  The foam lining keeps is quiet, but falls apart with age.

[rushlush]

Great pics guys! Keep them coming.

[SELFBOW19953]

Gringol,

Have you had yours out in the Gulf or Tampa Bay?  How do they manuever?  I have used Sportspals before and I remember them being sluggish, hard to manuever, especially in a wind or current, because they are wider.  I've got a 17' Grumman aluminum-just a shade long for a truck with a 6' bed.

[owlbait]

If your bow ends up at the bottom of a deep lake, will a salvage diver list it FOR SALE?  

[TSP]

Nice pics.  Would be curious to hear from those who've used short (12'-14') canoes for general 'one man' adventures.  My 16 footer (fiberglass, about 80#) is a bit bulky to handle/load for one person, thinking about a lighter 14 or even 12 footer for quick trips on mostly smaller waters.  Don't want to hijack the thread, but any feedback re the smaller designs is appreciated.

[David Sapp]

I have an Old Town Pack canoe in the 12' range, it's the angler edition with the lower seat. Good at fishing and piddling, but I'd rather be in my Wenonah Argosy 14' or so if I'm trying to put in a good day paddling. Either would be tricky shooting a traditional bow out of, at least for me.

Canoe/hull design is all about compromises, you exchange stability for maneuverability, length for glide, portability for durability, etc, etc. As an example, I've been researching composite/kevlar hulls for a general tandem and just when I think I've decided on a model that I want to find and paddle, it seems I read a review and change my mind. paddleswap.com can give you some good leads on local used boats in your area.

I love canoes and have 4 right now. I could have a barn full of them and still be looking for "just the right one".

[TSP]

David, it just so happens that the Old Town Pack 12' is one that I've looked at on the web and it seems well-suited for one-man weekend trips.  The weight (33#) is surprising, almost TOO light for stability (?)  One to check out further.  The Old Town Discovery 119 is another that looks good, but with a smaller payload.  Both are kinda' pricey for a smaller boat, though.

[ethan]

Two things I love dearly!!  Canoes and stick bows.  I have an Old Town Discovery for tandem and a Mohawk solo 13.  Both have their place and both are great canoes.  But like David said, it's all about compromise on hull designs.  But if a guy isn't planning on taking alot of family trips, or having some one else in the boat it's hard to beat a larger solo canoe in my opinion.  I'd love to have about a 15' solo.  

I've paddled both of David's boats as well and the We-no-nah is got to be THE canoe to own as far as I can tell.  Just wish I could talk him out of it!!  

[Auzoutdoor]

I love my canoe and have shot a bit out of it.
Cheers KIM

[gringol]

Originally posted by SELFBOW19953:
Gringol,

Have you had yours out in the Gulf or Tampa Bay?  How do they manuever?  I have used Sportspals before and I remember them being sluggish, hard to manuever, especially in a wind or current, because they are wider.  I've got a 17' Grumman aluminum-just a shade long for a truck with a 6' bed.

I've had it out in the bay.  I've shot ducks from it in the middle of the bay with a dog.  It's a bit of an adventure getting an excited, wet, 80lb retriever back INTO the canoe in 1ft swells after a retrieve, but I don't know another canoe beside my sportspal that I could do that in.  It may be a little sluggish turning, but it tracks well, fits a lot of stuff for a 12', and is super stable.  That's the trade-off with canoes, more nimble usually means less stable.  For me it's plenty nimble.

I've also done a bit of bow-fishing out of it, but I need to rig up some out riggers to really enjoy that.  I have no problem standing in the canoe, but I'm not a fan of standing, shooting, and reeling in a fish at the same time.  I'm thinking some 4" pvc tubes lashed to an aluminum pole or something...

[David Sapp]

TSM-
You should be able to look at the Old Town pack either at the Old Town factory itself, which is in Maine, or at the LL Bean store as it's a model they carry. It's a good knock around boat as it's weight and length is a godsend, but it's short length makes it paddle poorly over long distance. The 119 is similar but in a heavier lay up. Dicks Sporting good has a re-labelled house brand 119 that a lot of folks like for river fishing b/c it's tough as nails.

[iron_llama]

I've got a Field and Stream Kay-Noe; it's a re-badged, cheaper version of TSP's Old Town Pack.  It's great for fishing and leisurely paddling, and I've taken it camping a few times.  That said it's really not set up for serious paddling.  It's too short to track straight and there isn't enough tumblehome (the gunwales are too far apart) to use a kayak paddle really effectively.  I'm saving my pennies for a Wenonah Prism or a Souris River Tranquility for serious Boundary Waters trekking.  

Anyone ever look at the Wavewalk kayaks?  There's a fella named Scott Johnson in Minnesota who shoots a recurve at deer out of his.

http://www.wavewalk.com/Kayak_Review_10.html

Looks promising...

I have a set of Spring Creek lashing bars, when we go carp shooting or perch fishing on a local busy motorboat choked lake our two canoes are as seaworthy as a pontoon boat.

[Ron LaClair]

That's me in my 12' Custom built canvas canoe alongside a 26' replica North Canoe. The North canoe was the vessel that Canadian Voyagers navigated and carried fright on the smaller lakes and streams. Note the mast with sail in the front of the big canoe.