Canoe Question

[lee G.]

I did that with 3 kids, you dont want a canoe, i did it in a 12 foot jon, trust me! you need a 14 ft jon at least, maybe a 16 foot!

I was a life guard and wife was a water safety instructor( the people that teach life guards) so we know, lol,

It just takes a second for things to go wrong. Its way safer in a jon boat, and the river jons, if you can find one are good.

[Coosa]

Thanks for all the replies. Think I might try to pick it up just to have, but keep looking for something different different for the family.

[lee G.]

just watch the kids, thats the main thing,they will love it.

[Haris122]

Seems like a pretty nice deal for $50. I got to start prowling craigslist for stuff like that again, myself. I wouldn't know where to put it, but one can dream. I still haven't rigged my kayak up for fishing though, so that should really be one of my primary goals.

[Reming10]

There are many "near miss" stories told concerning canoes. Unless everyone in the canoe is an adequate swimmer particularly in fast water I would recommend something more stable. I do not consider the canoe dangerous per say but rolling one under a jam may be tragic even with a life vest. And it happens so fast on tight bends. I have a 10 year old myself and I just can't allow myself to chance it. I once witnessed two canoes collide at a jam. One of the boaters was a four year old girl (not in a vest). We had cleared the jam and pulled over on the bar to fish the eddies around the jam. I caught the little girl 60 yards down stream. She was coughing, sputtering, and crying. They nearly lost an older sibling as well when he hung up under the jam. He was holding for dear life to a small limb. His added drag was too much and he kept bobbing under. He was 9. My oldest pulled him out. Again, it just happens so fast...perhaps I am too sensitive concerning this from what occurred that day. Canoeing skill certainly plays a part as well as where you are at. Several above are saying the same thing I think. Gee...I talk too much! Be safe and God bless.

[Coosa]

Thanks for the all the concern guys. Taking the kids on the river isn't something I would be jumping right into. Was thinking maybe a little more down the road. I have a few small lakes close. Basically just want to get them interested and start showing them the ropes.

[Goggle-Eyed]

with 2 ten year olds, get a flat bottom jon boat for a couple of years. Take them perch jerkin on flat water. When they get to 13 or 14 years old and maybe still want to be around you, then think about a canoe or even kayaks for them. But I bet by then they could care less about being in a boat with you, or even close to you. Good luck!

Wow, glad you weren't my father. My fondest childhood memories are on the river (not the lake) with my Dad, from the time I can remember until last month when we went. Even during my teenage years! My nephews (17 and 22) were raised the same way on the same river by their Dad and they still jump at the chance to go with us, and did all through their teenage years. Now my "girly girl daughters" gave up on the river about 13-14 Years Old.

Two 10 Year Olds in a canoe will be challenging and alot of work but WELL WORTH IT if that is all you have available!!! Important thing is to get them out and spend time teaching and guiding them...

[Gavin]

We took our 4 & 6 year old girls on their first float this year...They absolutely loved it..I cant see a reason not to take them if you are competant in a canoe....PFD's, and swimming ability is a must have though. Make sure they know how to float on their backs with their feet downstream too...just in case you cant get to them immediately.

[awhuber]

My kids have floated with us since they were newborns. At ten they were running their own kayaks. They are now young adult women and run the back of the canoe almost as good as their old dad.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I just wouldn't take younger kids on new water. There are lots of stretches that are calm enough and without dangerous curves with strainers. The last time I did the Barlow to Gasconade Hills it was pretty benign. No big curves, shallow shoals and not all that fast. i'm sure there are others around. My GD did 64 to Corkery in her own kayak this summer. The water wasn't high and we watched her close at a couple of spots. She is 10, swims like a fish, and had dad and brothers 14 and 21 watching her.