Old Town Rockport or Pelican Colorado?

Advice
#1

Thinking of buying a canoe (3 seater) for recreation with 2 young grandsons. Have narrowed it down to the Old Town Rockport or the Pelican International Colorado. Which would be best for leisurely (mostly lake) paddling with the young boys? Any others that we should consider? Thanks

#2

Don’t know about either boat. If you
want to consider resale value, I think the Old Town is the way to go. You might provide links so folks can view the boats and their specs. I hope the boats you’re contemplating are at least 15 feet long.

#3

Pelican wins this one
Of these two entry level plastic canoes, the Pelican in this case is the better paddling canoe. the Old Town Rockport is the lowest priced Old Town at $539 list and is the fattest tandem in their line at 42". At 14’ length, the 42" width makes it one stumpy little tandem. Yes it has 3 seats, but that does not make it the choice for paddling with youngsters. In fact its width is what makes it less desirable. A narrow shouldered youngster with a short paddle seated in the middle of the bow seat in such a fat little canoe has a long reach to the water on either side and will tire quickly. The paddle stroke will be more of a sweep stroke than a forward stroke and not do much for propelling the boat forward, but do a lot to turn the short little canoe sideways.

The 15’6" Pelican is slimmer and longer, and will paddle better than the Rockport. The seat will still be a reach to the water for the bow paddler, but much easier to achieve a vertical stroke than in the Rockport. Hang a sling seat or drop-in seat for the second youngster behind the bow seat for best trim and let both paddle.

Both these canoes are best suited to short trips with short carries to the water. Both are heavy canoes in the 80# range, but that is the price paid for the low purchase price. Spend some of the money saved on good light paddles with grips to fit the small hands of the youngsters. Look at Foxx and Sawyer for quality light paddles that fit youngsters hands. A cheap paddle only tires them out, a poor fit rubs their hands, and a heavy paddle is too tiring for the lifting on the recovery phase of the paddle stroke.

Bill

#4

Neither
Both are pretty sucky canoes. Instead of buying one of these, why don’t you look into a better canoe used?

#5

why?
Why do you feel neither of these are good canoes? How often and under what circumstances have you used them? Did you previously own them? Not trying to give you a hard time, I’m considering the Rockport for flat water lakes/rivers & fishing both solo & tandem and I’d like to know why you feel the way you do. I appreciate your input.

#6

rowing the rockport?
anyone here use the rockport for rowing? seems like the width would be good for oars and that rowing would be the best way to move a heavy, wide boat like this one.i was thinking of getting a rockport and adding the old town oar socket/oar locks. can you suggest a better boat for rowing?

thanks