Looking for advice

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 05:56:54 -0500, Jeff Miller
wrote:

wrote:

My kids are finally old enough and are showing an interest in fishing.
We have a bunch of canoe only lakes around and the fox and illinois
river are accessible. What type of canoe would people recommend? It
has to be lite enough to allow me to go out by myself. It will also see
duty with possibly 3 guys 200lbs-230lbs (if we fit), 2 adults and 2
kids {the kids are under 8 years old). I would have to value
stability, do not want to be dunkin the kids. At some point in the
future will probably opt to get an electronic trolling motor. Well
what do you use or recommend?


take a look at a gheenoe. very stable, but too heavy at 120 pounds for
single-handed portages. i load it in the back of my truck for travel.
i'm too old and weak to do much portage work, but i have pulled it over
banks and along trails for short distances to relaunch in another creek.
it will handle a 9.9 outboard, but i use a lightweight 2.5 when i want a
motor. at only 16 feet, it's a bit crowded with 3 fishing, but i've done
it. google "gheenoe" and you will find info and photos. similar to an
old town, but i think it's more stable and sturdy.

While I take no issue with your pointing out the stability of the Gheenoe, I
would question your claim of "similar to an old town." While Old Town did/does
make a square-stern canoe or two, they aren't, at least IMO, at all similar to
Gheenoes. For example, a large 18.5' Penobscot weighs in at about one-third of
the Classic and almost one-fifth of the largest 16' Gheenoe.

Another possible consideration is the "canoe only" factor mentioned by sportinus
- are any/all of the Gheenoe models considered "canoes," at least as to
sportinus' requirements? The 13' model, which must be the one you have, looks
more like a jon boat/skiff/pirogue hybrid than a canoe, but YMMV.

I'm not knocking the Gheenoe in the least, I'm just wondering if it is actually
fits into the "canoe" category in which sportinus is asking for recommendations.

TC,
R

jeff