Dear Board,
On it’s face I realize that it’s a stupid question. But allow me a moment to backtrack.
Many years ago when I first joined the board I did so because my wife and I just became the proud new owners of a well used but totally solid Novacraft SP3 17 foot Prospector. We took it out a a couple two-tree times, no one died and we kept it upright and thought, Whoo-hooo!
After it sat for a couple two-tree years in the backyard on sawhorses we sold it.
Then, two years ago we vacationed at a cottage in New Hampshire that included the use of a couple of kayaks and canoes. So my wife and I made a couple of trips around the lake in Old Town sit in kayaks. I actually enjoyed it but my dismounts of 1/2 an Eskimo roll and wet walk back with the kayak were not pretty.
But I had a good year at work and we bought two fishing kayaks when we returned. They were great on the water because we both love to fish. But they were torture on the mount and dismount on my truck, just like my previous dismounts with the free Old Town at the cabin.
So they sat mostly, until the next year. I had another good year at work and bought a trailer and thought, now we are in business! But I’m 60 and my wife is a few years older, and it still wasn’t fun on the launch and recovery by anyone’s defination.
So we sold the whole package.
Paddling around a lake or stream is fun, but the rest of the process isn’t to me or my wife. I want to get back to fun, while my wife just sulks and wishes I were dead for selling her kayak.
I thought long and hard about inflatable kayaks. On the day I closed the deal on the kayaks and trailer we sold there were actually two available that I would have bought before I left to deliver our old ones but I just couldn’t pull the trigger without the cash in hand.
When I returned home with the cash those kayaks were long gone. So here I sit.
I want to stick a stick in the water and move around, and so does my wife. I’ve searched for used canoes and found plenty of what I would consider to be great deals, only to see them sell within a day of two.
With all that said, and knowing our budget of +/- $ 1500.00 I’d like to hear about canoes that can be used to recreationally paddle with the odd cast or two spent fishing included. I will gladly buy a used canoe, if that matters.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA