Stable Fishing Canoe

[RoMad]

I canoed for many years with a few different canoes. I also did a lot of fishing out of them in the phosphate pits of central Florida. In 2000 my wife and I went to Hawaii on our 25th anniversary. While there we rented a two person kayak and paddled it across Captain Cook inlet in 2 to 3 foot swells. I was so impressed with how much easier a kayak paddled and was more stable than an average canoe that I sold all of my canoes when we got home and replaced them with kayaks.
We live in a coastal area of Florida and kayaks are everywhere. Canoes are not seen here very often these days. Gheenoes are good if you are going to have something with a motor, but you might as well get a Jon boat.
You should probably check out a canoe or kayak fishing site.
One more thing to remember is that big wide canoes and kayaks do not paddle well. A well designed and shaped hull will fish and paddle well.

 

[jeff9366]

Thanks! I will need to check these out in more detail. Done a bunch of internet searches but haven't come across these before!

Boats, investment advice, rectification of marital problems, wills & probate, reliable three-five year weather forecasts; just a few reasons why Tractor-By-Net is a great resource.

 

[jeff9366]

A wide hull, lots of tumblehome - must have a great metacentric height and ability to heel over a lot without swamping!

I just finished reading BIG GUN MONITORS (Of the Royal Navy, WWI + WWII) by Ian Buxton.

Available in a 2012 revised edition on eBay and Amazon for $12.

You would enjoy this book.

 

[JPRambo]

Here's another option. Not a canoe
www.SikBoardz.com

 

[Ridgewalker]

Just saw this thread. I have a Ascent 10' fishing kayak made by Bass Pro.
I have had it for several years now and absolutely love the thing. It tracks well,
I can carry it by myself, lots of storage, rod holder is OK but can be upgraded.

Give it a look. Also the 10 footer seems to be better than a 12 based on comments
I have from others who have a 12.

 

[s219]

The hull shape and width determine stability.

V and shallow arch hulls have low initial stability but good secondary stability. They may feel tippy but will be solid as heck when you lean them. They also turn well in whitewater.

Flat bottom hulls have good initial stability but poor secondary stability. They feel stable but don't lean them too far or they will roll easy. Not great for maneuvering.

The Old Town Discovery 169 is an example of a shallow arch. The Discovery 158 has a flat bottom. Paddle them both and you can see the obvious difference in stability.

So it may come down to your definition of stable. If it's general purpose stability and you don't need to count on the boat holding up when leaned, flat bottom is good. If you don't mind initial tipiness but want a boat that you can count on to stay up when leaned, go with a V hull or shallow arch.

 

[oosik]

I've owned two canoes - 16' Grumman double ender and 19' Grumman square stern. As much time as I spent in both of these units - I don't think I would use the words "stable" and "canoe" in the same sentence. I consider both units to be excellent at what they are designed to do - but, stable, NO.

Around here a lot of fisher persons use these inflatable, double-hulled "fishing boats". Some are one-person and you sit in them with a set of chest high waders on and there are some that are larger with a webbed platform between the twin hulls that you can crawl around on.

A lot depends upon your own built-in stability system and what is built into the boat. Some folks could walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls and fish at the same time - I have to spit out my chewing gum when I go outside to do chores.

 

[s219]

Some folks could walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls and fish at the same time - I have to spit out my chewing gum when I go outside to do chores.

That's a good one, I think it describes me well.

 

[Baby Grand]

I just finished reading BIG GUN MONITORS (Of the Royal Navy, WWI + WWII) by Ian Buxton.

Available in a 2012 revised edition on eBay and Amazon for $12.

You would enjoy this book.

Never even knew of this class of boats - sounds very interesting - thanks!