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D.Micus,
I stand in the canoe and I (almost) choose that model 'cause it's REAL tippy. NO ONE ever wants to borrow it! http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
Also weighs about 70 lbs http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/frown.gif ... but then again, ... it tracks STRAIGHT even with only one paddler and can transport a ton of gear http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif (which you all notice I have a tendency to pack aroud) http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif
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Christopher Chin, Jonquiere Quebec
[url=http://pages.videotron.com/fcch/:2987e]Fishing the Ste-Marguerite[/url:2987e]
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Chris, being a canadian, and a forester, i bet you can spin that canoe and stay on your feet like the loggers do in those contests! us lazy yankees like to sit on our butts while we fish...
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I purchased a canoe three years ago and have not regretted it at all. Like you are doing now, I also did a alot of research and asked a lot of questions.
I purchased a 14ft. Meyers Sportspal directly from Castlecraft Canoes in Michigan. Check out [url=http://www.castlecraft.com:b1632]www.castlecraft.com[/url:b1632] for the latest information.
They are very stable with 1/2" ethafoam flotation inside(very quiet) and on the gunwales. The hull is .032 hardened aircraft aluminum.The inside beam is 38".
My 14ft weighs 58lbs and is easily loaded on top of my Suburban or my Toyota pickup cap.
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I am with Micus. Nothing compares to fishing from a kayak.It does take some getting used to,but it is a blast to fish from. Mine is a sit-on-top. Easy to get on and off.I transport it on top of my truck and can load and unload easily by myself.
Norm
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Norm, RW here
That's right! Nothing does...that's why I fish from a canoe. Although I often fish from a pair of waders or hip boots. I have also been known to fish from a pair of sneakers. Sneaks are really stable. I've never tipped over in one.
Later, RW
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"We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours." -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
[This message has been edited by Royal Wulff (edited 17 August 2005).]
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This one is easy~Water Strider. [url=http://www.waterstrider.com/:1d6af]http://www.waterstrider.com/[/url:1d6af] Not a 2 person boat, but meets your criteria. I've had one of my kids fishing with me on a Water Strider with no problems. I've packed this boat into remote lakes, fished BIG rivers... Very safe, very stable and it packs down small enough to take the thing on the plane! I think the boat alone is under 19lbs. too, easy to move around.
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Well I tell ya what -- you can get a lot of pontoon boat or canoe for 1400 bucks. Maybe one of my rich friends will buy onw and I can see it up close and personal.
From the brochure I can't see what the Water Strider can do that a Fat Cat or other float tube of that ilk can't.
C'mon rich friends in the Phoenix area, help me out, buy one of these fine toys.
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Snow on the roof but with fire still in the hearth
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I will have to go with the pontoon boat going by what you are saying to me. My son has one and I have to say they are great all around boats for the general fisherman. As long as there isn't a lot of wind that is.
The one my son has he can stand up and fish from it and he can row circles around me in my drift boat. The main thing that makes me say Pontoon boat to you is that they are a lot more stable than a canoe and you can move them around a lot better to. Plus they will go over the weeds not through them.
The float tube is out because of the weeds you are talking about. You would have your legs tangled in them all the time and if you had to get out fast for a call of nature you might be a little late sometime. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif
Don't get me wrong I have 5 float tubes and I love to fish out of them in the wind they will beat any other boat you can fish from if you know a thing or two about them. I also feel they are very safe on big waters. I have been all the way across Hebgen Lake several times in mine without any worrys at all.
But with the way you are talking about fishing and the places I feel that a Pontoon boat would do the best job for you. You can buy a model that will float two or three people now so if you have to have someone with you then I would get that model.
I have been able to fish from them all over the years and They all have a place. But for your needs and the way you discribed them I would go and get tooned. http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/smile.gif Ron
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I'm Wholeheartedly with JC on this one..the only....Thing I've seen yet that can/will do ALL that your asking of one single craft.......It's the Portabote and yes...they sure are a sponsor here on FAOL......Thats my next water craft purchase for ALL the very same reasons you've gone over in your original post....kids and all..weak bladder is not a prob for me thoe...lol...but that is a very viable thing to consider....getting back in quickly ...and the stability to turn and such with kids/dogs....room for them to move about.....the Portabote seems about perfect...light wt...as portable as you'll ever see in ANY craft...a canoe is not many of these things....I've owned a few....I have a Hobbie Floatcat 75....and it's not as portable as I'd like....especially in an appartment....PORTABOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just recieved the info pack I ordered from them and the sale prices they gave me are...$1199 for the 8'
$1299 for the 10'
$1399 for the 12'
and $1665 for the all new 14' Exxstream three color choices ...
Hope this might help ya out...I've owned a few watercraft...and have to say I think I'll be actually keeping this one when I get it...!!!!...I have also seen these at the eastern sports and outdoor show..and have no q's about how well built they are...they use a sledge hammer on the display model....and you'll not find any damage from it....
But I doubt that you'llfind any single craft made that will totally satisfy your needs completely....I'll be ALWAYs KEEPING My floatcat http://www.flyanglersonline.com/bb/wink.gif when I want a day alone ...I want my toon....or if my buddy thankfully has his own craft...it's a godsend then too...ever have a "friend" paddleing in the front of a canoe...who has that tude where he must over power every damn thing you do....lol...Oh it's frustrateing...and the reason I sold my old towne discovery...completely out of anger......lost $ too....Food for thought..and if the second in the canoe is your sweetie.......well thats not a goodie....for a relationship..."Headsup " on that one....
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"I've often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before" A.K.Best
"Wish ya great fishing"
Bill
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 17 August 2005).]
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 17 August 2005).]
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I agree that a canoe is the craft best suited. While others have implied size be referring to weight (and to the SportsPal), I would like to make clear that I think a 15' canoe is the perfect size for this. HOWEVER, the suggestion of two kayaks is an EXCELLENT one. I have two canoes and also two kayaks (and a Lund with 40hp), and use the 9.5ft kayak almost all the time now (formerly used the canoes for 18 years until I got the first kayak 4 years ago). At any rate, two people are OK in a 15ft canoe, but a 16ft?er gets tougher for one person.