Looking for advice

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?

On 13 Mar 2005 14:39:02 -0800, 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?

Get a cheap Coleman. And get sponsons. Unless you're good with a
canoe what you describe wanting to do will be a tippy proposition.
I'd recommend two canoes if you're talking 3 guys at 200 pounds each.
Don't forget you'll have at least one cooler in there with you.
That'll require at least a 17 or 18 foot canoe, which means it won't
really be light enough to go out by yourself. So one big long and
wide canoe and one short (15 foot?) one for solo purposes. Colemans
are cheap and rugged.

Sponsons keep you from tipping. Sort of like outriggers, but not
always in the water. If I were taking kids or dogs or were a worse
klutz than I am or were taking along a klutz, I'd be doing sponsons.
They can be fitted on a metal frame across the amidships of the canoe
or be attached on the sides of it. Don't get inflatable sponsons.
Unless you can find some sturdy ones. The only inflatables I've seen
are cheap and tacky looking and only meant to be applied after a
rollover so you can get back in more easily.

Be sure to practice a lot on lakes before you ever think of rivers.
The entire dynamics are different and can be much more dangerous.
You'll have to learn about eddies, rock gardens, Class I through IV,
cross ferrying, strainers, and bunch of stuff. Yes, I'm trying to
confuse and scare you about rivers. Most of that is pretty easy to
learn, but go out with experienced people before trying rivers on your
own.

Cyli
r.bc: vixen. Minnow goddess. Speaker to squirrels.
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli
email: lid (strip the .invalid to email)

As I'm trying to due my research I ran across the Sportspal line of
canoes. It seems to be a match of what I'm looking for; stability,
light, they claim it is virtual impossible to tip over, will not sink,
and can handle 2 adults easily. Here is the link
http://www.castlecraft.com/sportspal_double-end.htm
Does anyone own one of these? How do they handle? Are the claims
true? Are they built well? durable? Can you attach an electric motor
to them? Are they priced right? I'm looking for a canoe to fish from
(solo and with a partner), paddle around with my kids, on forest
preserve lakes and a few rivers. What are your opions pluses and
negatives. Thanks in advance.