Jim McC

Thanks. I was hoping for more replies. If I do get a canoe, I'm still going to trailer it. I read that Coleman's boat plans were sold to Pelican. The scanoe is now called the Pelican Bayou 160 I think. Is it awkward/difficult to turn and reach the trolling motor if you want to raise it, etc? Do you sit in the rear? I weigh about 235, so I don't know if I'd be able to sit in the rear when I'm alone. One I'm looking at is the Old Town Saranac square stern at Dick's Sporting Goods. I can't find anyone that's selling the Pelican Bayou 160.

As me and my back get older, I think about going to a lighter weight boat, for ease of loading and launching, etc. I fish alone most of the time, and I currently have a 1648 flat jon with a carpeted wood floor and front deck, 25 HP outboard, trolling motor, battery. When all is said and done, it's heavy. I thought about going to a 1448 maybe, but they're only about 30 lbs. lighter, so forget that. One thought I had was a wide, flat bottom, square stern canoe, with a trolling motor. I know about Gheenoes, but they are VERY rare around me(used). I want something that will accomodate 2 guys comfortably. Thanks.

Coral, no idea. For sand and everything else, I use a 5 lb. barbell plate. I assume you're using an anchor trolley?

I mounted 4 pieces of 1.25" PVC with zip ties in a milk crate, and the rods stand upright in those. In the carton, you can store your anchor, rope, etc

I carpeted a piece of 1/4" luan plywood I had for the floor because I like to fish barefoot in the nice weather. It won't help the tippy feeling, but it feels better standing on it instead of the plastic ribbed floor. After you stand in it a few times, you will get used to it. Just keep your feet as far apart as possible.

That's a ringing endorsement for NOT buying a canoe.

How long does it take to set up the stabilizers? I wonder if these can be made by a handy person?

I've never had a problem with mine. After you push it in, are you locking down the lever? You need to do that.

You never did answer us about how you will transport whatever you buy. I bought a 10' kayak last year and I love fishing in it. You can fish virtually anywhere with it, only weighs 60 lbs, easy to transport, no gas expense or maintenance, no trailer to maintain and tow.

I still say a cheap kayak or canoe. A 19 year old college student should not be spending a lot of money on a boat. But he hasn't been back since he posted the question anyway, so....

You have a lot of options, depending on your budget of course. I was going to suggest a kayak, if you go alone. What do you mean you can't "jig or anything"? It also depends on how you will transport it(back of truck, on roof, trailer). You also have canoes, small jon boat, 8' or 10' Bass Raiders, etc.

I was looking at this on Dicks' website, but it doesn't give much info. Is the floor flat? What do you think of the build quality? How did you mount the seats? That's pretty similiar to the Old Town Predator SS150, but MUCH cheaper. Thanks

Goose52, what kind of canoe do you have? Length, width, etc. Thanks

Thanks guys. I'm not ready to buy yet, but I'm leaning toward the Feel Free Moken 10'. Do the online dealers such as Austin Kayaks normally reduce the prices in the fall? If so, would it be Sep. or Oct? Thanks.

The Big Game is too long. I know I said up to 12' but even that is pushing it. And why is the Ride 115 so heavy, 79 lbs? I'm leaning more toward the 10' kayaks. The one I have now, I can still close the tailgate in my mini van.

I'm looking to replace a Lifetime Sportfisher kayak due to a defect. It is very stable at 10' long and 36" wide. I just don't know if I want to try another one. Anyway, I'm looking into a few other SOT kayaks. I want a kayak between 10' and 12' long. Does anyone own any of the following? Where is a good online dealer to order from, in case I can't find something locally? I weigh about 235 if that matters. Thanks for any advice. 1) Ocean Kayak Prowler 11' - 11.5' long, 30" wide. This seems narrow to me. Will it be stable enough? 2) Feel Free Moken - 10' long, 35" wide 3) Emotion Renegade XT - 10' long, 36" wide

Thanks Darren. I tried to send a PM back to you, but it won't allow it. I have no idea why. Do you think the 350 lb. capacity rating is realistic, because I weigh about 235? With the standard seat setup, about how high off the floor is the seat bottom? Why did you raise your seat higher?

The Native 12 does look nice. So there's no need to be concerned that it's only 30" wide? Why would getting in and out of the Native 12 be any easier than with the Pack 12 canoe(flat bottom) I spoke of earlier? And thanks, but I am not interested in anything inflatable.

Thanks. I know about the Commander and Ultimates, but the 30" width seems a little narrow, doesn't it? The SOT I have now is 36" wide.

Thanks for the help. Do you think I'm making it up? Maybe I should say "back soreness".

Which do you guys think would be easier for a guy with a bad back, 55 years old, to get in and out of? I'm interested in the "Old Town" Pack 12 foot canoe. It has a flat bottom, and it is said to be very stable, from the reviews I've read. I also love the fact that it weighs only 33 lbs. I currently have a Lifetime Sportfisher 10' sit on top kayak, and it is rather difficult to get out of(especially). I have to return it because of a defect that developed. I'm also thinking that the canoe would be more comfortable while seated, and I could also stand to stretch periodically. Am I thinking right? Thanks for any advice.

Since you now say you want to be able to seat 2 people, I'm changing my answer to a canoe.

Neither. A sit on top kayak is best for fishing. Since you mentioned sit in kayak, I assume you will be fishing alone. A sit on top kayak is also much safer if you should fall off of it or tip it.

Thanks guys. So generally, do rivets hold better than well nuts? I know nothing about rivets or rivet guns. I've never even used one.

That battery will be fine, as long as it's a deep cycle battery, and NOT a starting battery. The circuit breaker gets wired into the positive cable of the trolling motor, within 1 foot from the battery. Are you sure the manual says to use a 60 amp breaker for your 40 lb. motor? That sounds wrong. It should be a 40 or 50 amp breaker.