Canoe/Boat

[Bluebulldog]

Thanks BBD... what should i be looking for in terms of added stability? Hull shape and width, foam strips... i really know nothing about the how's and why's and what's necessary or just fluff.

If i'm perfectly honest, i'd say our usage will be just that - out of the garage and onto the car, off the car and into the lake at a launch or campground.
I really don't see too many portaging excursions in our immediate future. My overly romantic wife on the other hand, seems to think that her past tenting in KOA campgrounds experience makes her completely capable of 10-day journeys into the most remote corners of Algonquin Park. :S

I'd look for a model that has a wider bottom profile at the waist, it won't paddle as nice, but it will be more stable for you and your family. If you find one that is a little narrower / rounder at the waist, try and get the foam billet strips for the sides. then when your kids lean over to try and catch that bullfrog, you wont get swamped.

[Bluebulldog]

If you don't mind an aluminum canoe I would recommend a springbok 16ft. They have an extremely wide and flat bottom. I am 6'4" and 280lbs and I can stand and walk from stern to bow and stay dry. You should be able to find one well within your price range. I have hunted with 2 guys and a dog with no issues.

+1 on the Springbok.

My dad and I hunted / fished / camped from one for years. I know he sold it, and it's probably still out there in circulation....

[teals]

Thanks BBD... what should i be looking for in terms of added stability? Hull shape and width, foam strips... i really know nothing about the how's and why's and what's necessary or just fluff.

If i'm perfectly honest, i'd say our usage will be just that - out of the garage and onto the car, off the car and into the lake at a launch or campground.
I really don't see too many portaging excursions in our immediate future. My overly romantic wife on the other hand, seems to think that her past tenting in KOA campgrounds experience makes her completely capable of 10-day journeys into the most remote corners of Algonquin Park. :S

I presently am using a kayak for duck hunting and retrieving birds. It has been great but am thinking of upgrading to a Sportspal like the pic below - what do you think? Is it more "stable" than a kayak? I don't plan on shooting out of it but just want something lighter to transport in the marsh.

[Oddmott]

In one of my forum searches I saw a comment posted that Sportspal canoes are available as seconds out of the manufacturer in North Bay.

I'd asked about that in an email this morning and the owner was quite firm when responding that Sportspal rarely has any seconds, and when they do they are sold to employees and employee family only.

Just an fyi for anyone interested.

[teals]

In one of my forum searches I saw a comment posted that Sportspal canoes are available as seconds out of the manufacturer in North Bay.

I'd asked about that in an email this morning and the owner was quite firm when responding that Sportspal rarely has any seconds, and when they do they are sold to employees and employee family only.

Just an fyi for anyone interested.

Thanks Oddmott - that's interesting! Anyways, didn't mean to hijack the original thread. My general recommendation would be a kayak to retrieve downed birds and/or a canoe - the big advantages are obviously easy transporting, getting into those prime duck spots and jump shooting. I tried jump shooting last year and it was fun - missed as I was a bit nervous but the birds didn't know I was coming

[JBen]

Sportpals:
Are they more stable than a yak? A lot is going to depend on what type of yak, what type of hull it has, how wide it is at the beam etc.

All else equal (which it never is). Virtually all yaks are more stable than all canoes. Broad brush strokes and all else equal, which things never are. For the very simple reason that "generally" yaks sit lower in the water and you sit lower in a yak, lowering the center of gravity.

Take any canoe that has a factory seat a couple inches below the gunwhale. Test its point of no return ( you will go swimming doing this so summer is the best time). Repeat the test, but now put your bottom on the bottom of the same canoe.

Sea Kayaks, which are the long (17') sleek yaks designed for travel are more "tippy" but at the same time probably have lower center of gravities than anything else. Your butt would be below the water line in a sea yak, on/at the waterline in a Sportspal assuming your on your butt, on the bottom as opposed to on a seat.

Sportspals.
I rarely used the foam seats, instead Id always sit on the rear deck ( not sure term ) so that I was elevated for paddling ease, fishing etc. Never spilled myself and on occasion if things got hairy (wind/waves) Id just sit on the bottom lowering my CoG and increasing stability even more. That said, both yaks I've owned I do feel/felt were more stable but thats not saying much.
A braincramp is a braincramp, both (depending on specifics including hulls ) offer a wide (relatively) margin of error.

There are other options and as others have said, there are many of them, and there are always tradeoffs.

[Oddmott]

Had a chance to check out some Sportspals this weekend. They're as impressive as everyone claimed. I can't get over how light yet durable they feel.

The shops i stopped at didn't have any 15.5ft so I'm probably out of luck this season, but i'll keep my eyes open and jump on the first one I can.

[Oddmott]

Well, it's been one helluva wait (like nearly 1.5yrs) but I finally landed a used 14' sportspal in top condition with all the extras for $500.

Very stoked to get our hands on it and get it on the water. It's even the faux bark look that I prefer!

[TurkeyRookie]

Hey good job Oddmott! enjoy! looking forward to hearing about it's upcoming excursions.

[Bluebulldog]

Congrats bud. And there's still lots of Summer to get out and enjoy it.