Motoboss

I fish alone. My fishing partners have either moved away or passed away. What family I have left have never fished and the Wife doesn’t like the water, had a brother drown 20+ years ago. I’ve downsized my boat(s) to a canoe and at 70 enjoy my retirement days on the water. Although I only fish the days and hours my Wife is at work as to not be away when she is home. I do mostly golf twice a week with a regular group of guys so I’m not totally alienated from social contact but fish time is my time!

I can’t give much advice to a seasoned professional canoeist but, I agree with @A-Jay,,,stick with what you have and know. That being said I did just splurge on a Newport NV 55# thrust trolling motor and a LifePo4 lithium battery for my Sportspal project. It’s now a bit more work to get loaded out and put away but the time on the water is so much more enjoyable. The battery is 21# and the motor is 26# which at 70 years old is still doable. It’s all a trade off but the canoe is by far a better choice , for me, than the Oldtown Sportsman 120AP I had. The electric motor of any style is a far superior method for the smaller areas we fish.

No experience at TW but Amazon does this a lot. Items “in stock” and next day delivery with Prime gets you 7 to 10 day delivery without. They want yo to pay for your inpatients!

I just about pulled the trigger on one last week,,,,then I read a lot of reviews. Pretty much the same assessment as yours. Kinda flimsy, springs pop off the sides, some rods combinations won’t fit and a fuel mileage hit were the main complaints. With one center lock it doesn’t seem it would take too much to pry the ends up either. But I do find them to be……….attractive. Instead I went with a “conduit carrier” kit in 8” ($100). The big surprise there is finding an 8” pvc pipe, which are sold commercially in 20’ lengths at $200 to $250 a stick! But $300 sounded much better to the Wife than the near $700 for the box, but not near as low profile or as good looking. Please do a long term review on it.

With the canoe project, 4/5 new BFS rigs in the $300ish each range, new trolling motor/lithium battery, several spools of line of various types and a small selection of baits and tackle I’m probably around 3k this year,,,,,,,,,,,,,so far. …..but who’s counting!

Thanks @J._Bricker ! Patience and hard work does pay off.

Well there you go!

Well as posted Here and documented throughout this thread I have finally finished the Sportspal canoe project. It started November 11th of 2023 when I bought it off Facebook for really, really cheap. I started work and quickly had it stripped and ready for paint,,,,,thennnn. My Wife was diagnosed with Cancer and our priorities changed, immensely! She has undergone several surgeries and six chemotherapy rounds and is now in remission, thank you very much! This is the first post or mention of this here and not looking for this to turn into “the conversation” but just as a reason on why it has taken me a year to get this done. I thank you all and appreciate your sympathies and concern and only ask for Prayers if you can. Anyway, here it is and tomorrow is the maiden voyage and we’re looking forward to an exciting Fall fishing season. Wish me luck 😆

Welcome to the site, the most comprehensive place for all things fishing! Age doesn’t determine condition. If “excellent shape “ is a reality, then buy it. The hull will out live the motor, seats, gauges and such so if everything works,,,go for it. Canadian outfitters have boats older than that in use everyday.

I’ve got a leash on my canoe paddle if ya need a loaner for now 😆

I use a Garmin Striker 4 (4.3 inch screen) in a portable case on my canoe 😉

Got the Wetlander finish done on the bottom, finally! Supposed to let it harden for 5-7 days before use. The color is a bit different than the topside color but is close enough (they are both called Seal Skin but there is definitely a difference ). I just received the foam liner and foam sponson kit, so I have that to put in which will finish it up. Better pictures to come when it’s all together.

Congratulations on the new pup. It’s heartbreaking to lose one and so heart warming and fulfilling to get a new one. Rocco and I wish you many, many years of joy.

Gotta love T. McDonald!

I’d say reading cover as my greatest strength, knowing where and how to present the bait. Other than giving mediocre advice I’d say my weakest is deciding on the proper lure for the conditions. Other than a worm or spinnerbait I tend to over think it.

Take a five gallon bucket and place it about 10/15 yards out. Hold your bait in your non rod hand and use the rod to swing the bait outwards dropping it in the bucket. Use the rod and bait as a pendulum. Continually add distance then a smaller (one gallon) bucket. Practice , practice, practice. When on the water think of your target as the bucket.

$20.00 annual fee for public parks permit. Many “honor” boxes on smaller lakes for like $10-$15.00. Reservoirs are like $45 a day launch fee and yearly only if a resident of the “community “. All the river access ramps are free as well as many public lakes if your willing to travel. The high dollar reservoirs usually are e-coli filled and wouldn’t want to fish them anyway.

Awesome @ButchA Go slay ‘em!

And just to think the forfeiture owner still has to pay the boat loan too! Or bankruptcy, I’m sure.

Mmmmm, kinda. It’s more of a semigloss metallic(ish) flake look. Looks all one color but in direct sun it has a bit of a flake effect. I think it has more to do with the paint as it states it will have an “orange peel” finish, even more-so when applied with a roller. However I did spray it with an automotive setup.

Well, after several months, family health crisis and uncooperative weather I have finally got back to my project Sportspal Canoe. Yesterday I was able to get the Topside top color painting done. It takes 5 days to cure before flipping it over and getting the bottom painted with the super slick Wetlander 3 Part Kit The color is “Sealskin” which is a greenish gray. I like it!

Buddy along with Hendrix and Billy Cox were one of the greatest power trios of all times! Band of Gypsys.

DNR friend told me he has never pulled a dead guy from a lake or river wearing a pfd, the old proverbial “ you can drown in a tea spoon of water” still holds true. It’s a choice……….