mud motor on Sportspal canoe.

I'm thinking about putting a motor on my pointed 14' canoe. It is Coast Guard rated at 3 hp. I am assuming that's for an outboard, and a mud motor might go a bit higher. As I said it is the pointed model, so no transom, and needs to be side mounted.

Any comments, or experience to share?

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Wear a life jacket, a good one.

Sounds like a guy that doesn't know about Sportspal® canoes.

Still, good advice.

put my 6.5hp longtail on my scanoe (once).....

That's what I was thinking about. Once, though. What happened?

Longtail or surface drive?

maybe something like this


on a pointed canoe to attach a motor you typically bolt across right behind the rear seat and make yourself a board that you can mount to so that the motor is offset to the side , that works for electics , never tried a gas on a canoe like that

seen these in wood and alumunum


but honestly since the motor bracket isn't directional on a stern type electric like that a wood and side of the canoe sandwich works because you can adjust the motor 360 and set the angle to get vertical.
you might be able to do similar with the mud motor mount.
this is going to put weight off to the side so you will have to balance that out

I’ve used long tails for almost 30 years. Would not recommend one on a canoe, especially one without a square stern. Mud motors require a lot of leaning and leverage to drive for any length of time. Not something you want to be doing in a canoe. I had a 6hp long tail SPS on a 12’ narrow John and never felt totally “comfortable” in it.

Aside from that, the less water you draw the better a mud motor will perform. A wider longer boat floats better/higher than the average canoe when loaded.

I have 23 hp on the widest 14 ft flat bottom crestliner makes, very stable and easy to run. If you put a long tail on your canoe please have someone take a video, I would be curious how it works.

I once rigged up a 3hp side mounted on an overloaded pointed Coleman just to cross Lake Saginagaw to enter the BWCA. From there I ditched the motor and mount in the woods along the first portage, to stay legal. It was a scarry trip; but successful.

I run a 19' with a 5hp scavenger. I love it. With one person and empty it's dangerous. With a low load it's very stable and safe. I've had a 150+ traps, stakes, 100 rats, a few beaver and three people in it. Sips gas and goes just about anywhere I want to. It's not a racing rig, but it's faster than paddling.

If you do it . ....please have someone videotaping the maiden voyage.

Are you going to sell tickets ? I'd love to watch, although it will likely be short.....

ran like a scalded dog till I backed off the throttle and instantly swamped the scanoe

I'd like to film it for you gouls; but, you know how trade secrets are.

If you can find an old Johnson 3hp with the weedless lower unit 1952-1967 or so it will get you almost everywhere the long tail will on a canoe. The lower unit is at kind of a 45 degree angle rather than a 90. They go almost anywhere and only way 32 pounds. Parts are still available and they are easy to work on as well.

Excellent suggestion. Thanks.