Agreed.

I have a 16 old town penobscot that I have used for beaver and muskrats. I sit in the front seat facing backwards and it works great solo.

Agree with the Sportspal for trapping. The sponsons allow you to lean way over and work a set without flipping the boat. Many years ago I had a Radisson maybe 12' or 14', can't recall which at the moment. The Canadian version with the seams in the hull. What a PIA keeping these seams sealed with bondo. I use and abuse my boats and this one was no exception. I finally sold it and bought this 13' square stern from Meyers. Big difference between the Meyers boats and Radisson. Be sure you know what you're ordering if that's the route you're going.

Only problem I've encountered with sponsons is pushing/pulling your boat through a thick cattail or wild rice area. The sponsons will reach out and grab 'em and snag. Then I switch over to the 17' Grumman I've had since mid-60s.

Pic from a solo deer camp several years ago. The 2 horse air cooled Honda did a nice job of pushing the tandem rig upstream. I always pack too much, but am never wanting at deer camp.

You can find these used if you look hard enough.





Another solo deer camp years ago. Sportspal packed it all. Traveled light that year, no woodstove needed. Recall I tied two deer to the gunwhales and floated back to the landing with the current, one on either side.



Weatherman fooled me . .



Little Sportspal sure gets around . . .



That's Trader Vic lookin' smart as always . . .

looks like a great setup.

Hard to beat the Ol’ square stern canoe if you can find one. I mostly trap out of a Jon with long tail motor but this little canoe is just the ticket for hauling back and forth to small lakes and streams.

Trapset........what little outboard do you have on that squarestern ? Looks a bit aged...

Using a canoe makes this much easier. I do exactly what you mentioned and drag it behind in creeks. it hauls a lot.

HA! Yeah, its a 1952 Johnson 3hp. I have several old Johnson/Evinrude 3s. This particular one belonged to the old timer that took me to Canada my first time in 1979. He would say "kid cant get in much trouble with a 3hp on a wooden boat." Turns out he was wrong but that's another several stories. LOL

I usse Golden Hawks. I have 2 one Flared and one is not. They are 13 foot, molded fiberglass, wide and stable. Weigh 65 lbs. but are bulky to move. I have had mine for over 30 years. I sit in the front seat and face backwards. This way I keep a lot more weight of the canoe on the water surface and that helps with stability. I use them for fishing as well. I can put 100 7 foot bamboo stakes and 4 crates of traps in if I need that many for one outing.

Bryce

The old outboards are gems, thought maybe you might have an old Johnson "Ducktwin" 3 hp.
Like Muskrat, I have an old 17 ft Grumman that I can attach a sidemount for my 82' Johnson 2 hp.

I’ve got a couple early 80s 2hps. One lungers. Not quite as dependable as the 3s but definitely have their place.

Would love to find an old duck twin! Been close a few times. Maybe some day.

That ol 52 has been on a lot of moose and duck hunts though.

I was looking for a Golden Hawk a year ago. I was disappointed in what I found: complaints and an F rating with the BBB. Their website no longer comes up. They appear to be out of business. Too bad, I always heard positive comments on about their canoes.

Instead I bought two aluminium Grumman 13’ Trapper canoes from different owners. Both canoes are over 70 years old and are in incredible condition.