Hey chubs, I made mine out of a block of wood laying down. Just cut out some groves so that it would fit properly and then sawed the groves accordinglty. Then put a wooden hing on the oppposite side of the trolling motor so the piece of wood didn't come off. I can email you a pix if you want one...

But as for stabilizers, I feel i really depends on the canoe itself. Some are really tipsy, in other words easy to tip so you might have to try to figure that one out depending on if you feel comfortable in your canoe...I would even say find a pool or small pond and without putting gear in it take it out, turn in it, move in it, stand in it if you're brave enough, and see how comfortable you are, just remember to always have a life jacket. DNR could get you in a boat without one...in Ga it's required by law..But good luck