How Do I Know Which Canoe is Best for Me? 

Absolutely. In your category, you'll likely have a 16-foot prospector made of Royalex, Tuf-Stuff or some other durable (but heavy) material. It's what 95% of the adventurer documentary makers use and for good reason. I'm not getting any younger, and to portage an 80 lb canoe is not my idea of fun. I'm also an adventurer and make lots of documentaries but I stick with the 16-foot solo carbon canoe models (weight is around 29 lbs) though they're not great for big water, whitewater or rough handling on portages or rocks, etc.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the insight. It may help others!

My dagger royalite sure knew how to crack with winter freeze and thaw. Oh ya, cold in quebec.

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and for your feedback!

Wonderful to hear. I like to explain things clearly and with examples if possible! Thanks so much for watching!

My pleasure! Positive feedback is always appreciated!

Thanks so much! Comments are always appreciated!

Ya, that's a good overall assessment. Extra Freeboard for big waves, keel for control in the wind/waves and rocker can help with wave-riding as well. If it were me though, I'd get a different vessel for 3 meter waves! :) Thanks for the input!

Thanks. Yes a polynesian style canoe (With an outrigger and sail), would probably be better direction to go. They also have a high chin spoon bow that makes broaching less likely... Weight distibution would also have to be considered. Going upwind/downwind ..

I see flat bottom canoes as recreational. They are not meant for efficient lake tripping. The operative word is "efficient". I love large flat bottom canoes for holding gear, being steady and being multi-purpose, but I've outlined canoes built mostly for specialty activities (tripping, whitewater, recreation, etc.) without compromise. Any Royalex canoe will be too heavy for portaging over 5 - 10 km of portages over 2 weeks. That said, I do love large, flat bottom canoes that are tough and won't crack easily in whitewater!

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I’ve done two-week wilderness trips in my Tripper. Yes it’s heavy to portage, but the capacity and durability make it worth it. Old Town also made a 20’ version called the Tripper XL.

Thanks, will do! I appreciate your encouragement friend!

Love to hear encouraging words! Thanks for watching!

Unfortunately I can't help you based on my experience. I've had good luck with my trolling motor mount on the side of my prospector canoe, but I guess the real answer would be based on what activity you'll do more. I like the versatility offered by using a trolling motor mount on a double-ended canoe, but that's just me! Thanks for watching!

If you haven't made the decision yet, I can help, I own both square stern and pointed canoes and a side mount wins every time, square sterns make sense in a boat where you sit off on the side, but in a canoe you sit in the middle and the motor is directly behind you and you can really only steer one way, a side mount the tiller is in a comfortable place to steer both ways. Also a square stern sucks to paddle, the square stern makes turbulence and stops the canoe from gliding, so unless you plan on using the motor 100% of the time, get a pointed. The Sportspals usually come with side mounts, if not you can buy one, and the motor weight will not even be noticeable, I've been running side mounts for years. I own fiberglass, and plastic canoes, my next one will be a Sportspal, probably the 12' Special with the yoke and only one seat. I just want it for when I go out alone down creeks and small water, I have big canoes for big adventures already I want something light, tough and comfortable that I can patch with almost anything sticky. But I'd recommend a pointed and go with the longest model that you can manage, it will track better, glide faster and be generally safer especially if you're out on bigger water and the wind picks up.

I’ve had a few square sterns and ended up putting a side bar for an electric motor. It puts the motor in the perfect position for trolling in my opinion. Mounted on the transom cause a lot of back pain by the end of the day....so.... I bought a sports pal wide stern for trolling days and we have an old town and Grumman for paddling days😊🛶

I can't believe that after such a good description of what to look for in a quality canoe, the conversation goes to sports pal! It doesn't matter if has ends on it at all. You might as well put a motor on a Rubbermaid container. They both won't go straight or turn where you want them to. The one good thing about the sports pal is that no matter what you do, it won't sink! For advice on a usable canoe rewatch the video.

Merci de bien vouloir

makes sense for most people!

Good question! I've never paddled the Bob 15 Special, but I do hold Nova Craft canoes in high regard. Though it's a solo boat, I'm not a huge fan of the prospector design in general. I like asymmetrical canoes with very minimal rocker for ultimate speed and efficiency on flat water. I'd consider the Bob Special for class 1 and 2 rapids if I'm paddling alone.

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching and commenting!

@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I'm no novice, but still clear, undisputable, and entertaining

Coleman is what i would can a good "hack around" canoe. It's usually very durable, but not efficient (if you do any tripping, you'll become frustrated by the lack of maneuverability and heavy weight). Hunting and fishing close to camp or cottage is where it excels but I personally would not take anything weighing over 50 lbs on a portage trip. It's not that I can't carry it, but there are so many great light options now. However, for $25, it's hard to pass up!

Bro 25 dollars??? Your lucky

Yes, but if you're mostly fishing, I'd get a flat-bottom wide canoe. If mostly lake tripping, then a tandem tripper is fine (bit more tippy than flat bottom canoe). Mild rivers should be nearly like a lake or windy lake. You won't want to tackle too many rapids (especially anything beyond class 1) with a kevlar lake tripper. Thanks for the question and thanks for watching!

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thank you

Good question! I have not done a head-to-head comparison but here are my thoughts; A prospector is the choice for whitewater paddlers, and the conditions are loosely similar (large waves and rough water). So, I'd be relatively confident using a prospector to deal with wake. On the other hand, my lake tripper's bow doesn't rise out of the water as much, so it will cut through waves rather than riding over them. It's a smoother ride. The bow depth on my Wenonah Escape is pretty good, so I'd feel comfortable dealing with any wake. If the waves are bigger than my 17' Escape can handle, I would get off the water ASAP. I don't think the issue of how well it handles wakes should take priority over how well it paddles on open water in general. I'd still choose my 17' Escape over my 16' Evergreen Prospector model. Just one final thought; If I was paddling on larger lakes with lots of waves/wake, I would probably deploy my stabilizers. You can see my full review - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t2fxA93qY_c.html Thanks for commenting and maybe our discussion will help others too!

You're very kind Elliot! You're right about me not making many edits. That takes time and looks a bit questionable like "what's he trying to hide?" Thank you again for your encouragement!

Yup - that's why I mentioned the prospector. I have one from Evergreen, but I'm not a fan of its efficiency (or lack thereof) for solo lake travel.

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I had the Evergreen Prospector and used it for thousands of miles of solo .. I thought it was perfect except for the sharp inside edge of the gunwale, cut my knuckles during lift once, almost lost the canoe due to the gunwale almost cutting the painter during a tie up in rough water. I REALLY enjoyed the hull design, it provided great lift as well as great stability and easy to paddle too. I'm a guy who thinks the term 'racing canoe' is just downright anti-enjoyment .. so efficiency is not a high priority, and I know that paddling style and paddle blade is far more important than hull efficiency.

@@robertmosurinjohn9911 "A longer canoe only goes as fast as the experienced paddler" - this is misconception. There is optimal speed for each length of a boat, "optimal" meaning in terms of energy-spent-per-meter; and this optimal speed depends on boat length. Same energy, same vendor, but different length of boats: you can do more miles on 17' canoe than on 15' canoe. "In the 1800s, William Froude, researching warships for the British Admiralty, observed that models run at speeds in proportion to the square root of their length." You are so right saying "'racing canoe' is just downright anti-enjoyment"!!! I am considering buying canoe for mostly solo recreational, some portaging with family; Swift Canoe. "Algonquin 16" has less rocker than "Prospector 16", and they even have Prospector "Combi" models (with three seats); but since I am complete beginner, I'd go with classic Prospector 16 so I can do exercises in a water, I have few classic books, and build my skills faster. Plus, "Prospector" is in each rental centre.

Wow Jay! I empathize with your situation and I love your commitment to instilling outdoor values to your kids! I was in a similar situation and ultimately I ended up getting multiple canoes. If one is all you can handle, then given what you said, here is what I would do: My priority would be to teach the kids on every trip, so I would focus on flat water, safer routes. That means I would toss the idea of T-Formex because of weight. Then, I would absolutely stick with Kevlar, and just be sure to be careful on portages. I'd get the largest canoe I could lift and carry (perhaps with the help of a 7-year-old to hold a gunwale or end of the canoe while you get under it?). On all my trips during their childhood, I would focus almost exclusively on them, which means my solo excursions (even day trips) would be non-existent. I would get a Souris River or Wenonah (but all the others you mentioned are pretty good as long as it's a lightweight Kevlar). I'm leery of Nova Craft because they make heavier canoes. I would NOT get a Prospector design. Prospectors are good whitewater designs (maneuverable) but I'm thinking of flatwater lake tripping with 3 kids. That means the largest Kevlar ASYMMETRICAL design (only goes one way - can't be flipped around like a prospector). Asymmetrical canoes are faster, more efficient to paddle, and were specifically made for lake water trips. 3 kids at the ages you mentioned (along with gear for 4 people) will easily take up the space in any canoe (including an 18.5' beast). My kids are now 9, 11, and 13 and we can't fit them with an adult in our Wenonah 17.5' Kevlar anymore. Once yours get to be 14, 12, and 10, I would suggest selling the large Kevlar tripping canoe for 2 smaller ones (as short as 15'). I would still make them as light as possible (you won't be any younger and your 14-year-old may not be up for carrying it alone). That is assuming you're all still interested in canoe camping. Anyway, those are my quick thoughts for now. You sound like a nice family making the best in your situation and I truly wish you all the best on your excursions with 3 very important passengers! My 3 are very close to my biggest priority in my life and I'm in the process of planning an easy trip to get them to like the outdoors. A great option for a "wilderness" trip that is really easy for kids with only 1 (maybe 2) portage (from the car to the water) would be The Bottle Lake/Sucker Lake trip at Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. Blessings to you Jay!

I can personally attest to the fact Swift boats are worth every penny they are insanely refined and comfortable and if they're in the budget it's an unconscious decision that being said Nova craft are also equally awesome a P17 Swift would work great for you they will work with you on seating configurations if you custom order your boat they have tons of options now with removable seats and kids seats amazing customer service .. Your always going to be in the stern and you can teach all of your kids to take turns as your bow paddlers

Looks to me like the16 foot Blazer is a bit of a cross between a weekend flatwater boat and a mild whitewater canoe (class 2 max.). I'm not sure it fits either category well, but it's a bit of a compromise for the sake of diversity.

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thanks for the reply. Ive never had a conue before and at 60 yrs old not looking to do much more than peddling in a calm lake, at least for now. I see used Mohawk Blazer 16s for sale pretty cheap. Do you think it would be a good one for a older beginner?

@@thomasgriffith3747 The answer in my opinion is YES. The Blazer is a decent beginner canoe as long as you remember that you'll be dealing with the weight. If you're okay with that, then all the other things like price, design, etc. are good motivating factors to start getting out on the water! Best of luck brother.

Absolutely! I made the video because lots of people don't know that there is such a thing as different canoes for different purposes.