Need advice on buying first canoe

[catdog6]

Wanting to buy a canoe to let the kids play in at the lake and haul the family on day trips down the Saline river.. Will need to carry 3 people. Maybe 4 when Momma wants to go. Have looked at Sportsman 14 at Dicks.. Looks a little flimsy and the Saranac 14 at Academy. Friends say I need something larger. Would like to spend less than $600.. Thanks! Kevin

[johnnybiggun]

My kids grew up in an Old Town 16'9"... They are grown now and we have moved on to solo boats but I still have the Old Town for fishing trips..... You should be able to find a used one for under $600.... Lots of similar boats out there..... With that kind of load go with something longer than 14' ..... Especially since kids tend to get bigger as the years go by....
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... 32.4417833" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Deuce]

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/boa/2371597664.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Doesn't say whether it's 15' or 16'. Meets some, maybe all, of your requirements.

[Clint Rickett]

This too may fit your needs.....I posted for a buddy a while back. His info is included in the post.

http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... =2&t=18324" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Al Donaldson]

Kevin:

For the needs that you have mentioned, my thought is that a canoe less than 16' will really not fill the bill, unless you like paddling REALLY deep in the water (and occasionally under it.)

The canoe referenced in Clint's post appears to be an Old town Discovery 174: if you don't mind the weight, this one would do all that you're asking. For some other opinions, see:
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showRev ... ml?prod=32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And, the price is excellent if the boat is in good shape.

Regards,

al

[catdog6]

Thanks everyone!!! Great info!! I'll check all of it out..

Kevin

[catdog6]

My kids grew up in an Old Town 16'9"... They are grown now and we have moved on to solo boats but I still have the Old Town for fishing trips..... You should be able to find a used one for under $600.... Lots of similar boats out there..... With that kind of load go with something longer than 14' ..... Especially since kids tend to get bigger as the years go by....
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/produ ... 32.4417833" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I guess this is what I need but it's a little over my budget. How often do good used ones come by like this?

[catdog6]

Kevin:

For the needs that you have mentioned, my thought is that a canoe less than 16' will really not fill the bill, unless you like paddling REALLY deep in the water (and occasionally under it.)

The canoe referenced in Clint's post appears to be an Old town Discovery 174: if you don't mind the weight, this one would do all that you're asking. For some other opinions, see:
http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showRev ... ml?prod=32" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And, the price is excellent if the boat is in good shape.

Regards,

al

The 179 looks good if I could find a good used one.

[catdog6]

This too may fit your needs.....I posted for a buddy a while back. His info is included in the post.

http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... =2&t=18324" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd say this is the closet thing I've seen that fits my price range. Seems just a little too old for me to pay $400..

Where is it in Hot Springs? Might be worth looking at to determine the value.

Kevin

[catdog6]

http://littlerock.craigslist.org/boa/2371597664.html

Doesn't say whether it's 15' or 16'. Meets some, maybe all, of your requirements.

Sounds interesting.. I emailed for pictures but they couldn't provide any.

[catdog6]

How about the discovery 158 at d*ck's for $599? Or would I be better off just waiting for a larger used boat?

Kevin

[Deuce]

The 158 is (or was at least) a boat favored by many outfitters. I picked one up a couple of years ago from a nice young man who runs an operation on the Caddo. Think I paid $250 for it. It was a nice boat except for some oil canning. I chose the Caddo because it's not as rocky as some of the other float streams, which theoretically means cleaner used canoes. That theory proved true in my experience. Not sure if a 158 would safely accomodate four. Three would probably be okay provided they weren't all adults (or close to adult size). Did the seller even know the size of the Camper? One or my greatest pet peeves is a seller who doesn't know what they have for sale. Comes with the territory I guess. Anywho, I digress.

[Clint Rickett]

Kevin,

Kim (owner of the old town) lives off of the west end of Marion Anderson near the South Moore Rd. intersection near the Little Mazarn.

He should be pretty easy to catch up with to see the canoe if you should like. The original post include his # where he can be reached.

Best of luck

BTW, I noticed you referred to paddling the Saline.....are you in Benton?

[catdog6]

Just found out at Dicks in Hot Springs they have the Guide 169 for $699. Does anyone have any experience with it? Apparently it's a d*ck's exclusive from Old Town. Does that mean it's not as good as a normal Old Town canoe? The specs look almost identical to the Discovery 169.

[catdog6]

Kevin,

Kim (owner of the old town) lives off of the west end of Marion Anderson near the South Moore Rd. intersection near the Little Mazarn.

He should be pretty easy to catch up with to see the canoe if you should like. The original post include his # where he can be reached.

Best of luck

BTW, I noticed you referred to paddling the Saline.....are you in Benton?

I might be over that way this weekend. If so I'll take a look at it.

Yes, I live in Benton. Not far from the spillway. Do you live near Benton? Do you have any tips on floating the Saline?