I purchased my first canoe this past fall to mainly use for fishing. I am very new to canoeing and my son has joined me on a couple of trips to a small lake at a state park that has a lot of visitors. This upcoming year, I am going to hit more remote and larger lakes. I am still learning to deal with stability and was thinking of getting outriggers such as these (cabelas has them cheaper):

http://www.canoegear.com/catalog/product.php?productid=533&cat=0&page=1

I wanted to know if anyone has insight into using outriggers and if they are worth it from a safety perspective.  The lake I used my canoe on has no powerboats on it but the larger ones I will be going to, some permit 9.9 hp or 20 hp boats.  

Thanks.

Avid should be along shortly....i know he uses some and seems to love them.

Jason

Avid, where art thou?  

Avid, where art thou?

Sheesh, a guy my age needs to take a nap once in awhile

http://www.canoegear.com/catalog/product.php?productid=544&cat=53&page=1

These are the stabilizers I use. They are also from Spring Creek and are the same ones shown in Cabela's. The one's you posted are a sturdier plastic and streamlined to better cut through the water.

They are unnecessary imo. The styrofoam outrigger/stabilizer is the single most important safety device you can add to a canoe used for fishing. I can't make it any clearer than that.

they extend two feet out on either side but can be retracted to the gunwale if needed for transport, weeds or tight places. Added 4 feet of stabilzers' turns a canoe with a 3' beam into a 7' wide highly stable fishing platform.

The styrofoam is heavy duty enough to stand up to most conditions. They are adjustable on the vertical plane as well. I have them set so if I am zipping along with proper balance, they will not touch the water untill I make a turn or a gust of wind blows through.

Set at that height they will still protect you remarkably well from capsizing. Trust me on this one. I know from experience

I bought mine directly from Spring Creek and encourage others to the same. They are the nicest people and very knowlegable. Where you place the stablizer is a relevant decision.

For example I use a side mounted MK55Vector3x trolling motor and sit just aft of the canoes midpoint. (14' Old town Osprey) this motor weighs 44 lbs. I offset that weight by adjusting the height of the stabilizer so it rides a little lower than the lighter side. I also place my battery (66lbs.) in the nose but off center a little to get the proper trim.

Before my shoulder/elbow sidelined me I took this canoe out in all kinds of conditions, and never felt in danger.

I often stand when I fish and have made "cross their eyes" hooksets with no problem.

Be advised. I carry a PFD.

Be safe, have fun, and catch a few bigguns

avid

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Thanks for the advice.   I am about to purchase a trolling motor and didn't even think about the how the weight will change the dynamics of the canoe.  I currently have a 12' Double Pointed Radisson with sponsoons on the outside.  

I am probably going to get the floats.  One more question, your 55 lb thrust motor seems awfully powerful for your canoe.  I was thinking 30 lb would be enough.  What made you go with the extra juice?

30 lb thrust should be plenty.  If I had it to do over again I would definitly get a lighter motor.

I wanted the the features that the Vector 3x offered.  Specifically it has a maximizer built in so I never worry about juice.  Also, because it is side mounted the 3x steering is a big advantage.  Moving the tiller one foot moves the prop direction 3 feet so much less twisting is involved.

These features are nice, but the added weight is not worth it.

when it comes to power, well can you ever have too much??? LOL

avid.

i was thinking you wanted to pull a water skier behind that canoe.   ;D