I am a total newbie

[Spinner]

Hi all. Name is Chuck. Need some good advice here. You all are the experts.
Looking for something for my wife and I can do together. I know she won't go and couldn't handle mtn biking, so we've talked about buying a canoe for the occasional float trip.

I'd like to hear some thoughts, opinions, and advice from y'all.
Boat brands? Style? Model?

We live in NWA (if that helps).

Thanks!

[fryingsquirrel]

Welcome Spinner. If you are in NWA, you are in the perfect spot to get started. Nearby rivers that are beginner friendly are the West Fork, War Eagle, or the Buffalo which is a little further but worth it. There is a group of paddlers that do regular runs on Beaver lake and the White, and I'm sure you'll be hearing from them soon. My advice for a boat is to demo, demo, demo. Lewis and Clark outfitters in rogers and fayetteville will let you demo most of their boats so you find one that fits your style.
Good luck, and it's good to have some new faces.
Jon Ellwood
Conway

[wiredforsound]

I recommend renting a few times to see if canoeing is something you will enjoy doing together before investing in canoe & related gear.

[JasonK]

Don't forget the Kings River! Let Ernie at Kings River Outfitters put you on the water in one of his Buffalo or the odd We-no-nah that he has so you can get the feel of it. There's hardly a better resource for river tips and rental trips in NWA than him.

[fryingsquirrel]

How could I forget Kings River??? Minus one river karma point for me.

[JB2012]

If your float trips are going to be occaissional, then rent. But, and Furthermore...
having been married more than once (if it had been a job I would be considered to be quite experienced), I ask, is your wife an outdoor person? Does she like water?

Also, canoeing in one canoe, requires cooperation. I've heard more than one couple refer to their former canoe as the "divorce boat." Either separate kayaks or separate canoes might be the answer. Renting first is good advice.

[muskrat]

JB is right, canoeing requires cooperation. Learn on your own, and when your wife joins you tell her to keep the paddle in the boat.







and by 'learn on your own', I mean go once or twice with someone knowledgable

and by 'tell her to keep the paddle in the boat', I mean until she gets a hang of it or you get good enough to correct her incorrect paddle strokes

[MikeBeebe]

Welcome! First, you each need your own boat .... by the way, this is Mike's wife talking, not Mike!
Bella Vista has a paddling club on Tuesday evenings that you may like to start with! I know you can find them on Facebook, or ask someone in BV.
Try a few Demo boats. You said you are in NW AR. I think Pack Rat is having a sale up there. Ask for Kevin or Chally (I hope I spelled that correctly). You can demo boats right in their front yard. Ask about buying a demo boat ... or go to this website, boats for sale.
The best paddling fun is Sept. 16th & 17th in Central AR. A weekend getaway. You may stay at Camp Couchdale or the Holiday Inn in Marvern! All kinds of classes, fun, easy paddling trips .... Rendevous Weekend ... only $5 and bring a potluck dish for Saturday night! Watch for Buffalo River paddling trips! If they are posted, you are invited, unless of course it is flood stage and then you need experience to join in! Welcome to our paddling family!