Looking for feed back on Square back canoes

[Alex Chang]

7 minutes ago, grizwilson said:

Sorry, while the square back looks like a swell idea, the motor, be it outboard or trolling motor sits directly behind you, go to your nearest retail with displays, get directly in front of a tiller motor and try to start, operate steer.  In a jon you have room to sit side ways and operate, in a side mount on a canoe it will be on your side,  try sitting side ways in your canoe..... hope this helps

Ah, I see your point. Yea, that would be annoying. Like the old Grumman square backs don't have a lot of space between the back seat and the transom. FWIW, I'm eyeing the Esquif Cargo, which has two back seats: https://esquif.com/en/canoe/cargo/. Sliding up one seat may provide a more comfortable experience.

I appreciate your feedback.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Another option, if you are set on the square back idea, is to setup a stick steer option.   I created one for my 8' homemade boat.  Lots of ideas on you tube.   I had a 13' Gheenoe,  they are great, but quite heavy.  I did put it in the back of my Dakota,  but later got a trailer.   

[Terrierman]

6 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Drag it 30-40 feet.......Run 2-3 miles......drag 30 feet.......Run another few miles.  It ain't that bad.

As long as you have 14-15" of water you're good to run a prop outboard.  

I think a 16/48 jon with 10 hp plus prop outboard is the river equivalent of an '85 Chevy 4WD extended cab pickup with a 350, no rust and a decent interior.  Did it that way for a lot of years and the only regret is the boat and motor are both long gone.

[fishinwrench]

57 minutes ago, Terrierman said:

I think a 16/48 jon with 10 hp plus prop outboard is the river equivalent of an '85 Chevy 4WD extended cab pickup with a 350, no rust and a decent interior.  Did it that way for a lot of years and the only regret is the boat and motor are both long gone.

A 1648 needs a 20hp at the minimum.  The old Evinrude 18hp motors are a great matchup for river use.    This one was a 1542 with a restored 1968 18hp.   Had some great times with her 🤗 

I made out like a bandit when I sold that motor too.   She was a real sweetheart.   Still is I bet. 🙂 

She'll still be pushing a boat when the new 4-stroke you bought yesterday is long gone.  👍

[Bushbeater]

Canoes with a trolling motor suck. While you're trying to raise up the motor and steer away from the strainer a rod go's in the stream and you spill your beer.

[fishinwrench]

8 minutes ago, Bushbeater said:

Canoes with a trolling motor suck. While you're trying to raise up the motor and steer away from the strainer a rod go's in the stream and you spill your beer.

Yeah I tried it a few times.  Hated it.   Everytime you get out the weight of the motor tips the canoe sideways and the battery and all of your gear slides over to that side.   Just not a very user friendly setup IMO.    Some guys dig it though.  

A square back canoe would probably eliminate that problem, but I've never spent a day in a square back.

[gotmuddy]

13 hours ago, Alex Chang said:

Yea, the Gheenoe are freakin' sweet! But the skiff size needed for a multi-nights on the river with two guys would be pushing the weight to place where I would need a trailer. For example, their 15'4" is 145lb and doesn't really have the same capacity as this Esquif Cargo square back that I'm currently eyeing: https://esquif.com/en/canoe/cargo/.

Appreciate the thought though!

Sorry I didnt see the car topper portion.  The one you posted would be great, and its plenty wide.  You must be planning some pretty heavy packing to need that kind of capacity

[grizwilson]

Just another thought, possible an inflatable boat??? I have a inflatable yak Aquaglide blackfoot angler it was not cheap, but is made of material like white water raft and has a floor that is like an inflatable paddle board, rigid you can stand up, tuff floats high, but does catch wind.  Not sure if they make a boat but might be worth exploring. The yak fits in a back pack use it on trips to Florida Montana Colorado Wyoming.  Light weight, The new pumps air up quickly.  

 

[Alex Chang]

1 hour ago, gotmuddy said:

Sorry I didnt see the car topper portion.  The one you posted would be great, and its plenty wide.  You must be planning some pretty heavy packing to need that kind of capacity

Yea, I often do multiple nights on the river with two people, the camp kitchen, cooler, fishing gear, camping gear, the whole nine. My current 16ft tandem (which is more of a touring boat) is maxed out with our current load; it's becomes harder to maneuver and we end up having to stack gear vertically, which makes things tippy. Don't get me wrong, what I have works and has put me and my fishing partners on a lot of water and fish, but the extra capacity of the Esquif would make that experience a whole lot more enjoyable.

Plus, I'm also thinking long term, like a more family friendly boat. With the Esquif, I can take my wife and dog with all the gear on overnighters, or my wife and future kids on a day float (two parents and two small children on the Esquif looks very doable). Plus the motor will be clutch (trying to coordinate canoe strokes with two small children on the boat seems impossible).

Appreciate the feedback.

[Alex Chang]

52 minutes ago, grizwilson said:

Just another thought, possible an inflatable boat??? I have a inflatable yak Aquaglide blackfoot angler it was not cheap, but is made of material like white water raft and has a floor that is like an inflatable paddle board, rigid you can stand up, tuff floats high, but does catch wind.  Not sure if they make a boat but might be worth exploring. The yak fits in a back pack use it on trips to Florida Montana Colorado Wyoming.  Light weight, The new pumps air up quickly.  

 

That looks interesting for sure! What has been your experience been with raft durability?

As much as I would like an inflatable solo, I'm more in the market for a larger vessel that can fit two people minimum. I'm thinking more long term, like a nice family boat where I can take my wife and dog on an overnighter, or my wife and small children on a day float.