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Canoe opinions #7826191
03/21/23 11:48 AM
03/21/23 11:48 AM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 279
Michigan
D
Duckie1 Offline OP
trapper
Duckie1  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 279
Michigan
What are the best canoes out there for trapping? Focusing on weight, stability, and durability what are some recommendations for the trapline?
Thanks

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826230
03/21/23 12:44 PM
03/21/23 12:44 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 66
Western, Pennsylvania
M
Murphy Offline
trapper
Murphy  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 66
Western, Pennsylvania
12’ sportspal


Cold Trapper
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826238
03/21/23 12:55 PM
03/21/23 12:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
Larry Baer Offline
trapper
Larry Baer  Offline
trapper

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,968
Peoria County Illinois
I've had a few. The best one I have found is this old aluminum one. It's shallow and wide and about 17 feet long. I put it in the back of my pick up and it hauls fine. I also carried it on top of a rack and that's good too. the best thing about this one is stability. I climb in and out often and have never tipped it. Its strong. I had a brake rotor on the end of a cable drowner lastnight out n deep water. It was suctioned into the mud and I could not pull it to the bank at all. try as I might. I put the cable over the canoe and sat on the back then pushed with all I had with my feet to make the canoe a lever to pull up on the brake rotor and I finally got it off the bottom of the lake. It hauls a lot f weight too. Aluminum is durable.

I have a small fiberglass one too but it seams like I am always pulling it out and finding new leaks to patch. It's tippy but light. It's 30 years old and creaks a lot if I stand up in it. Always afraid my feet are going to go through it.

Recommendations? - have some gorilla tape in a dry bag so when you poke a hole you can patch it and keep going. Get a paddle or two that have a metal shaft and a hook on the handle end. Tie a 20' rope to the front and have a weight on it so you can toss it on the bank and it won't blow away from you. Some guys put a clamp on the end or just tie off. Get some foam pad and put it n the bottom for your knees if you like to paddle like that.

My favorite one was $100 from a guy who was having trouble. Don't need to spend a lot.


[Linked Image]


Just passin through
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826249
03/21/23 01:12 PM
03/21/23 01:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,863
SE Kentucky
K
kytrapper Offline
trapper
kytrapper  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,863
SE Kentucky
I’ve always loved the idea of floating small rivers in a canoe and trapping that way. I may have had bad experiences but I’ve never been in one that I wouldn’t be sure to flip. I’ve got a couple of Jon boats I’ve floated in and trapped. It was fun but I’m getting too old to load, unload and drag over riffles.

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826259
03/21/23 01:24 PM
03/21/23 01:24 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
C
Calvin Offline
trapper
Calvin  Offline
trapper
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
Cant have it all in one. You'll have to decide on wider/ more stable and heavy or sleek/less stable and light.

I went with the 14ft ram X type that's 40" wide with a keel.

I've had longer and narrower/lighter but neither worked out for trapping. Dump your stuff (and you) once in ice water and you'll wish you went wider. And the 17s are a big pain in the booty. They offer more payload buy payload that can be gained by going wider as well.

And if you're not floating a river, mount oar locks with oars. Paddles are OK for rivers but not lakes when hauling any weight.

Last edited by Calvin; 03/21/23 01:25 PM.
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826270
03/21/23 01:35 PM
03/21/23 01:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 295
NY
T
trappermac NY Offline
trapper
trappermac NY  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 295
NY
As mentioned, you want wide if you plan on reaching over the side alot like when marsh trapping rats. Find a wenonah fisherman in royalex if you can, they no longer make this model in rx but you cn find used ones out there. You could also look for an old town discovery 133, it's a poly boat and will be about 20lbs heavier than the fisherman.

Remember that what you gain in stability with a wider canoe you lose in manueverability. So if your method is to go from point A to point B and get out and set traps, then any decent canoe 34-36 wide works fine.

Last edited by trappermac NY; 03/21/23 01:36 PM.

Member NYSTA, NTA, FBU, ECTA
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826274
03/21/23 01:47 PM
03/21/23 01:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 20,914
North East Kansas
Marty Offline
trapper
Marty  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 20,914
North East Kansas
Originally Posted by Duckie1
What are the best canoes out there for trapping? Focusing on weight, stability, and durability what are some recommendations for the trapline?
Thanks


17' or so aluminum with keel..


[Linked Image]




E
'Honey Badger Militia'
Sleep, the anti woke adote.
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Murphy] #7826346
03/21/23 03:29 PM
03/21/23 03:29 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
N
nightlife Offline
trapper
nightlife  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
Originally Posted by Murphy
12’ sportspal


The 12 foot has always been a bit small for me, I have both 13 (not much better) and a 16 footer and the 16 gets the call for most things, both of mine have the transom back and paddle like a pregnant whale but they are stable and while not unsinkable they do come close and are light enough that even with a bad back they go up top easily on the vehicle

Most of my trapping is running several miles up oneside of a river and then floating down the other and for that I have found they work well


Lots of good canoes out there some are tippy if you’re not experienced, the sportspal is not but the trade off like I said is there not real responsive and slow to move out of where their pointed, a motor really helps but some dot like running a motor, me i am old and slow and a motor is to big a help to not have

Last edited by nightlife; 03/21/23 03:36 PM. Reason: Dang auto correct


�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.�
― Robert A. Heinlein
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826352
03/21/23 03:34 PM
03/21/23 03:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
Catch22 Offline
trapper
Catch22  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 16,951
OH
Sportspal


I wonder if tap dancers walk into a room, look at the floor, and think, I'd tap that. I wonder about things.....
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826356
03/21/23 03:43 PM
03/21/23 03:43 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,834
Michigan
M
Michigander Offline
trapper
Michigander  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,834
Michigan
14 or 15 foot aluminum has been the ticket for me. When I expect a bigger catch (30+ coon) a 17' canoe is the better choice. The shorter canoe is better solo when hauling modest loads or duck hunting and exploring.


Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826386
03/21/23 04:49 PM
03/21/23 04:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,540
Sandhills Nebraska
G
Gary Benson Offline
trapper
Gary Benson  Offline
trapper
G

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 21,540
Sandhills Nebraska
If you're young and strong, I'd go with a wide 18' Ram X like a Coleman. If you're old and losing strength like me go lighter. I have a 12' Raddison aluminum that I can pick up with one hand. It's perfect for me.


Life ain't supposed to be easy.
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826399
03/21/23 05:10 PM
03/21/23 05:10 PM
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,295
Northern MN
O
Osky Offline
trapper
Osky  Offline
trapper
O

Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,295
Northern MN
17’ Grumman aluminum.

Osky


"A womans heart is the hardest rock the Almighty has put on this earth, and I can find no sign on it"

Jabless in Minnesota

www.SureDockusa.com
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826402
03/21/23 05:13 PM
03/21/23 05:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
N
Nessmuck Offline
trapper
Nessmuck  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
[Linked Image]

This one will easily carry over 2,000 pounds of beaver...

I don't think BeaverPeeler could sink my canoe....


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Nessmuck] #7826412
03/21/23 05:25 PM
03/21/23 05:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
T
TraderVic Offline
trapper
TraderVic  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,056
Western Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
[Linked Image]

This one will easily carry over 2,000 pounds of beaver...

I don't think BeaverPeeler could sink my canoe....


Interesting freighter canoe, what brand and model is it ?

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826429
03/21/23 06:07 PM
03/21/23 06:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
N
Nessmuck Offline
trapper
Nessmuck  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 23,494
New Hampshire
Scott Hudson Bay freighter..21 foot..56 in beam...triple keel

Fiberglass with Ash trim and spray rails


It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826435
03/21/23 06:14 PM
03/21/23 06:14 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,477
Iowa
T
trapdog1 Offline
trapper
trapdog1  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 10,477
Iowa
I've got a 17' Lowe aluminum I recieved as a high school graduation present in 1985. It's been through a lot and still going strong!

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Nessmuck] #7826436
03/21/23 06:15 PM
03/21/23 06:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,121
Manitoba
N
Northof50 Offline
trapper
Northof50  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,121
Manitoba
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
[Linked Image]

This one will easily carry over 2,000 pounds of beaver...

I don't think BeaverPeeler could sink my canoe....

next thing you know he will be asking for a test drive and on his rivers
and can you get it to me !

That canoe is nodang good there is no wildlife blood spattered on it that I can see.

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Northof50] #7826456
03/21/23 06:54 PM
03/21/23 06:54 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,998
Otsego, MI 66
K
K-zoo Offline
trapper
K-zoo  Offline
trapper
K

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,998
Otsego, MI 66
I have a 15' aluminum Browning Aerocraft that I bought back in '76 or '77.
Wouldn't trade it for anything.


Member NTA, MTPCA, FTA, NRA, MUCC
2 Cor. 5:17
Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Duckie1] #7826464
03/21/23 07:02 PM
03/21/23 07:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 744
Bush Alaska
victor#0 Offline
trapper
victor#0  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 744
Bush Alaska
I don't use one but my friend uses a 15' Grumman sport boat to trap spring beaver and he really likes it.

Re: Canoe opinions [Re: Nessmuck] #7826608
03/21/23 10:26 PM
03/21/23 10:26 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
N
nightlife Offline
trapper
nightlife  Offline
trapper
N

Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,870
Mn
Originally Posted by Nessmuck
[Linked Image]

This one will easily carry over 2,000 pounds of beaver...

I don't think BeaverPeeler could sink my canoe....


I have said it before I really would love to have one of those but really no need, but would still love to have one



�Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.�
― Robert A. Heinlein
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