Went camping this weekend. Great weather, not many people there, beautiful lake. Made me wish I had a canoe. Got back home and surfed a few sporting goods sites to check out canoes. One search turned up inflatable boats. Prices are similar for both. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

I don't have any boating experience at all. My dad didn't have a recreational bone in his body, so I didn't learn anything from him - except maybe that life is far better for your children if you spend their childhood sober.

Anyway, enough about that. Anybody here with canoe or small boat experience?

Thanks.

I prefer the canoe myself. Might just be an Indian thing tho.

I've had both.... and had trolling motors that fir both.

The inflateable seemed like a good idea at the time (still talking about boats here) but it really was a pain in the arse and I had better luck controlling the canoe.

just my 2 cents.

When I was a kid, my sister's in-laws lived on a lake and had a beautiful canoe that I pretty much lived in. I was on that lake fishing at every opportunity.

I prefer paddling, but it had a flat bottom and flat back, to fit a motor.

Fiberglass, with wood supports and black vinyl seats with some cushioning.

I LOVED that boat.

^ Hello, future FBC President. LOL!!

Marty, anything inflatable is going to develop a leak at some point (fishing hooks, knives, sharp rocks?) and probably requires maintenance so that it doesn't crack.

Per TW, a canoe is less stable but easier to navigate and can usually take a beating. You also sacrifice a little space inside a canoe but you can strap it onto the top of your Winebago & GO!

I would go with the canoe.

PS: If I had my druthers though, I like MACS's metal flat bottom boat idea the best.

Scanoe Scanoe Scanoe!

if you are planning on fishing a johnboat would be best.

More room, less chance of tipping over, easier to land a fish, safer for the kids, you cab paddle it or get a gas or electric motor, fit 3 comfortably,

If not fishing the canoe hands down.

What everyone else said^.

The best bet, IMHO, is to buy a Gheenoe.......google the term.

These are ultra-stable canoes that can be safely motorized.

pirogue its a canoe with a flat bottom you can take them anywhere and they are great on lakes and swamp.

They are cajun yachts...LOL

Charlie

It was fiberglass bloody, not metal. And if you get the flat bottom it is very stable with plenty of room.

You couldn't tip it over unless you really tried to.

Go with a nice fiberglass canoe.

http://www.directboats.com/cumcan16.html 

This looks similar to the one I used. Not exactly the same, but similar.

I haven't priced canoes in a long time, But I imagine you'll drop over $500 minimum.

For that price, do yourself a favor and rent a canoe for a weekend camping trip. Don't rent AT your destination. Rent nearby to home. That way you'll figure out if it's a hassle to carry with you.

You'll also learn what size you'll need, and if you really want to get one.

If it's only occassional use, the inflatable may be a better bet since it's easier to bring with you even when you don't use it.

I've owned neither, so this is not an endorsement so much as a suggestion.

Good luck.

http://www.gheenoe.net/ 

none better..........I've used these in the OCEAN!

Get a Submarine.. paint it Yellow!

We all live in a Yellow Submarine...

Hog

for a big guy like me a canoe is really unstable

A friend that has a big boat on the chesapeake bay has a four person inflatable dingie with a 3 hp gas motor he uses for tooling around the coves and marinas in the bay

We use it to go across the cove to the bar on the otherside. He sticks a clear plastic cup on a flashlight for a marker light at night. we felt like navy seals hitting the beach near the bar. Very stable and very portable. Just deflate when you are done with it. It has wooden planks for the floor and the engine has a gas tank built in so you dont need a can. you can also paddle it easy.

If I recall it is a US BOAT brand

RHIB

Rigid Hulled Inflateable Boat.

Years ago, I was looking into small boats.........seriously considering a Zodiac inflatable, but went with a Boston Whaler 13ft instead.......rigid is good.

Back to the topic at hand.......if you plan on paddling, there is no substitute for a canoe type boat........try paddling an inflatable for any period of time....it sucks.

thanks for the help guys. I like the idea of renting a canoe first.

As for price, Sam's has a nice Pelican brand with 3 seats for about $400. The Sevylor inflatable boats are about $550 from ******'s. They may be cheaper elsewhere. Can't imagine the canoe will be cheaper than Sam's.

I even considered buying a used canoe, but most of them are where most of the canoing is - California, Vermont, New York. For the cost of shipping from those places, or driving there, I might as well buy a new one.

Since this project is for me and the kids, simpler is better.

Thanks again.