hot rodding a canoe

[id10t]

So a few years ago Mom got me a canoe when it was on sale. At the time I was taking classes, teaching classes, and working full time and so I had no time to do anything. Did get it out on her pond a few times for a few minutes with the kids, but that was about it.

Now I have time, my son is 15, and I have this canoe.... First, son is 6' 3" and 325... I'm 5' 11" and 230... canoe is rated to 900lbs. BUT.... due to where seats are, the son can't move. When he shifts his weight (ie, kinda lay down and stick leg out to turn around in seat and face the other way) we come close to tipping simply because the CoG shifts so far out. Needless to say, anything like fishing is out... although we have done a few test runs on the river without equipment. Does motivate along quite nicely with my old 27lb thrust trolling motor



(not mine but exact same as mine)

First plan is to remove existing seats and replace with support bars, and then add new seats both more slightly towards middle of boat and lower down. Doing a 180 will be out, but a comfy seat with a back, etc. and some actual leg room will make it much more tolerable.

Will also be adding a set of pontoons/outriggers when I decide what to do for the flotation part. Currently thinking of a wedge shape of foam and a few layers of fiberglass on top. Of course that will make car topping it impossible, but I've already scored a nice trailer for $100 on clist... Still need to get lights working and hitch installed and then get it registered but I have a 2 week winter break ....

Final big mod will be a wheel steering system. Even with rear seat in current location using the trolling motor to steer is a royal pain. So I'm going to set up a cord-and-pulley steering wheel and at the same time add a PWM for throttle control which will extend battery life.

And at some point in the whole process I'll be adding required lighting, etc. so I'll be legal to use after dark. I've got several great rivers locally, lots of springs, and the gulf coast to play in

At the same time, I'm keepign an eye on clist and if I can score a similar canoe cheap enough I'll ditch the pontoon plans and instead attach 'em together to make a catamaran. Still end up doing seat mods to both, lights, etc. and do a centralized steering system. Maybe even look at using one of the $100 Rural King 3hp engines to make a 12v generator using a car alternator and run multiple trolling motors as direct drive.

[Cajundaddy]

Well, a canoe is designed for a light nimble crew and you guys are big and burly. Even with all the mods you are considering I think it is the wrong boat for this crew. Two possibilities:

Trade the canoe for an 18' Bass Boat, or transform yourselves into a light nimble crew that is a better match for a canoe.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Cajundaddy

Well, a canoe is designed for a light nimble crew and you guys are big and burly. Even with all the mods you are considering I think it is the wrong boat for this crew. Two possibilities:

Trade the canoe for an 18' Bass Boat, or transform yourselves into a light nimble crew that is a better match for a canoe.

Yes but in a few years it will be just me, or me and my youngest (she's 8, and will be light and nimble like her sister).

Due to access requirements smaller size boat is a must - there are a few local-ish boat ramps that are always hand launchable but for a trailer to make it it has to be within a hour or two of high tide. When I compared weight capacity to a 14' john boat, the canoe wins.

Really think the ideal situation is for me to be first in line for a second canoe at $100 (I've missed several) and do the tandem/catamaran thing.

Besides, I can't resist the redneck engineering urge and boats are a safer place to express that than firearms ...

[bkreigsr]

How long is your 'canoe'?
The ideal position for paddling is kneeling. (lower CoG) Your current set up does not allow anyone to kneel.
Can't get a cushier canoe than yours - cup holders?

Yeah, get a row boat, or, if you insist on using a trolling motor, get the bass boat.
Bill K

[varmint]

Outriggers maybe?

But a bigger boat is the only real solution.

[URY914]

You need a bigger canoe.

[RWebb]

only thing I know is people look at the "rocker" on different types of canoes - e.g. lake vs. white-water

doubt you can alter that but installing your own keel might be fun

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by URY914

You need a bigger canoe.

This.

One of my friends wanted to learn to fly and he wanted to buy a Cessna 152 to do it in. His instructor was a skinny dude, but my buddy was a bit more like your son. That poor 152 struggled to fly but he got his license. He wanted to take his wife on a flight but he did the calculations and he had to wait until the cold winter days to get the two of them off the ground.

He finally save up enough to buy a 182 and take his wife for a ride in the summer.

Be real sure to wear life jackets if the two of you go very far into the water.

[pwd72s]

Or...get a REAL fishing boat.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McKenzie_River_dory

(edit) Fun memory...spending time with Stan Mott aboard his sailboat, he asked if I could row...before turning me loose in his dinghy.
HOOT! Yep, I learned on one of these..fishing trips with dad...

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&p=mckenzie+river+drift+boats#id=2&vid=4f47c946f9a061cb757ea8835cbda12e&action=click

[RWebb]

split the difference and get a Boston Whaler

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by afterburn 549

Look at the origin of the canoe-it was very lightweight, wood, about 16 lbs (ADK guide boat) made for portage and some cargo.
There was no such thing as hvy people back then.

You guys need a Nordic Tug, not a canoe.
https://www.nordictugs.com/nt-26/

That would be great around the San Juans!

[id10t]

Canoe is plenty big at 16', trailer is for a 15-17' wide rear john boat, so I could actually fit two of them right next to each other on it.

Talked with son during run to grocery store today and we've decided to keep an eye out for a second canoe, and set it up each as a perfect for one person small water boat. Will allow a ton more flexibility for us.

Yes, replacement seats will be lower allowing for a lower center of gravity.

Redneck engineering at its finest.

[mattdavis11]

Originally Posted by id10t

Besides, I can't resist the redneck engineering urge and boats are a safer place to express that than firearms ...

Not if your trial run is at Lake Alice!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

Not if your trial run is at Lake Alice!

Nah, we've been out on the Santa Fe around Blue Springs/Rum Island. Mom's place is only a few miles from Lake Alice (10 blocks N of the stadium) but there hasn't been a confirmed gator sighting at her pond in 50+ years.... Some really farkin' big snapping turtles... but no gators.

[bkreigsr]

sorry, but 16 ft is way too small for a three seat canoe.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by bkreigsr

sorry, but 16 ft is way too small for a three seat canoe.

Yup. Which is why it is gonna end up as a one or two seater.

[john70t]

The canoe was a family gift you want to utilize to its fullest.
I got that...

But before spending money and time and effort, what is the extent of any possibilities with this particular shell?
It was definitely a great gift but perhaps suited for a different purpose.

Start with what you will be working with:
1). Big man, big big kid, smaller canoe.
If you guys take any extended trips you will want food, water, fire starters, wool blanket, tent, sleeping bags, plastic tarp, first aid, knowing how to and carrying materials to repair fiberglass after a dramatic spill, plus other heavy gear to haul.
(All in waterproof bags and velcro-ed to the boat of course)
Being tired hungry and wet in the dark wilderness sucks.

2). Fiberglass material is lesser to a 17' Grumann thick wall aluminum canoe.
AL will soak up or bounce off the river rocks and can be hammered back and patched more easily with tools available.
Dad and his brothers once wrapped one around a tree.
They jumped on it and continued their journey.

3). Trick out a solid aluminum canoe.
Make attachment points wide and solid and removable.
But use the fiberglass for family day excursions on a glassy lake.

[KFC911]

I fiished out of an 18' bass boat for 27 years ....perfect fer two big azz dudes who could squash me .

I fished out of my buddy's 14' aluminum john boat all over the lower St. John's and a dozen lakes in yer backyard for a mebbe 15 years....he launched it solo...a LOT....just a perfect boat for fishing...jmho.

We ALL wish we had that boat even now....was talked about yesterday...we wuz playing with Spanish Mackeral out of Morehead City on a bigger boat though