smallmouthjoe Posted October 13, 2009 Posted October 13, 2009 Hey everyone, I'm in the process of buying a solo canoe and I'm trying to get some info on the quality of buffalo canoes. I've never owned one so I'm just trying to get some opinions from people. I'm looking at this particular model http://www.buffalocanoes.com/10_foot.htm but I would love to hear from anyone who has owned a Buffalo. Thanks.
KCRIVERRAT Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 smjoe, floated the Buffalo this summer. I'll tell ya, all I seen on the river down there was Buffalo canoes. Course, me and my wife were rented a tandem. I loved it, for the sole reason of how my rods laid. It toured great too, but... the water was up and all I had to do was rudder. In the end, I bought an Old Town 174. Craigs List deal. Traveled to SW Mo. to buy it. Kinda wish I would've held out though! Have you floated in a Buffalo? HUMAN RELATIONS MANAGER @ OZARK FISHING EXPEDITIONS
smallmouthjoe Posted October 14, 2009 Author Posted October 14, 2009 No haven't floated in one but when I was down on The Buffalo this summer everyone had one. That makes me think they put out a good product but i just want to get some feedback from an owner. I'm going to call tomorrow about them and see if I can go down there and try one.
Al Agnew Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 Given that it's an Ozark company, I'd LIKE to like Buffalo canoes, but unfortunately I just don't think their designs are very good. There is no way I'd choose the one you're looking at, unless I could get it REAL cheap. Will it work? Sure. But there are other designs out there that are WAY better. Here are my objections to the model you're interested in... Too short. A canoe that's under 10 feet will not track well at all, will not hold all the gear you might need for an overnight float, and stowing rods in it will be very problematical. Ends way too blunt. Ease of paddling, speed, and ability to paddle upstream if you wish are partly a function of how the canoe cuts through the water. The sharper the ends, the better. This one won't cut through the water, it'll push water ahead of it. Sides not high enough. In any kind of choppy water, with those blunt ends and low sides, this canoe will take on water. I wouldn't want to float Clabber Creek Shoals on the lower Buffalo in this canoe at normal water levels. Seat too low. Given the low sides, and the fact that the seat sits well below the gunwales, it can't be far off the floor of the canoe, making for what to me would be an uncomfortable ride. I suspect that this is Buffalo's entry into the "trying to cut into the kayak market" market. Small like a kayak, low like a kayak, probably would paddle best with a double bladed paddle like a kayak. Marginally better for fishing than a kayak, but there are much better fishing canoes. The two things I like...nice light weight, and the width at 36 inches, while making it more difficult to paddle, will also make it a design with a lot of initial stability for its size.
eric1978 Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 Yeah, it does look a little short and fat. I think it might be a barge to paddle upstream and through slack. 36" wide would be nice, though, if not for that.
smallmouthjoe Posted October 14, 2009 Author Posted October 14, 2009 I did notice how blunted the tip was. Since most of my fishing is heading upstream I may want to look somewhere else. I also like how wide and light it is, so I don't know. I'm still interested in hearing anything positive or negative about it so keep the comments coming.
Wayne SW/MO Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 You might call and see if they have a demo, they aren't far from the Buffalo. Is the 14' too heavy? Today's release is tomorrows gift to another fisherman.
smallmouthjoe Posted October 14, 2009 Author Posted October 14, 2009 Yeah the 14' is heavy for me. I'm trying to find something that is <45 and is in the 10'to 13' range. One of the things I love about my kayak is how easy it is to transport, so I really don't want something that's hard for me to carry long distances because in some spots I have to carry it a long way to get to the water.
Gavin Posted October 14, 2009 Posted October 14, 2009 The 16' Buffalo paddles pretty well...but that 14' model seems kinda heavy for its size, and the small one looks like a bathtub......I'd look around for a boat like Eric got....or comb craigslist for a used solo canoe...Good luck with your search.
RSBreth Posted October 15, 2009 Posted October 15, 2009 I still think you should go with this one...http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Old-Town-Discovery...5QQcmdZViewItem I wonder if Bass Pro is stocking them (or could order one), I didn't look down in the canoe/kayak area the last time I was over there...
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