"I think" you should check out craigslist in your local area. Lots of aluminum, and royalex canoes are often available, and often very reasonably priced.
This November I purchased an Old Town Canadienne as a result of a craigslist ad. It is in near new condition; having been used "once", and stored for many years. Two like new, Aviron Clement wooden paddles, were thrown into the deal.
I'd drive cross country, round trip, by myself, to pick up a canoe, before I ever let UPS get their hands on another canoe of mine.
If UPS was the only way for me to get a canoe; I'd paddle a kayak.
UPS sucks!
...we all have a different one. IMHO if you were paddling mostly solo on a lake with occasional tandem, the Old Town Penobscot would be your better bet of the canoes L.L. Bean offers. The Camper, and 15' Camper (which is the old Pathfinder) are a bear to paddle solo. When you stop paddling, either boat wants to stop. To each his own, but the Penobscot or even the Wenonah Aurora will be more pleasant to paddle. Either will paddle solo much easier than a 17' aluminum, though. WW
Sportspal = no no Every Sportspal canoe I’ve ever seen is excessively wide. While wide makes it harder to tip, it also makes it slow. I can’t imagine paddling a Sportspal solo.
(many moons ago) when Jim retired , he got himself a place in Ft.Myers Fl. that was on a lake . Actually this community was pretty much a retirement type of place and there were 3 lakes in total , all connected by huge culver pipes (you could pass a jon boat through them) . Great fishing in all the lakes .
Reason I ask is I'm curious what size (acre wise) is your lake you want the canoe for ??
The lakes at Jim's place were in the 30-50 acre size (give or take) . That's not a large piece of water (50 acre) , and just about any canoe would be suitable for beboping around on them (weather considered of course) .
What is it that you specifically have a mind to use a canoe for on your lake ??
Is it to catch some of those nice Bass (fishing) ... just paddle around for liesure's sake occassionally (no rush or desire to move faster) ... maybe learn a few specialty moves like Freestyling (precision paddle and canoe control- canoe dancing) ... or are you wanting to do the "work-out" thing building up endurance by paddling at higher cadence (cardio and muscle toning) ... somethinmg other ?? Those were just a few suggestions to give you the idea of the question .
Perhaps if you could say what you think will be your primary paddling style and goals , some of these folks could steer you in a direction that will match a hull style to your desires better . Canoe hulls are different (hull shape and sizes) and one serves one purpose much better than another .
bebop around. Nothing other than to relax for an hour. It's a small lake that connects to larger lakes if the level permits. I'm in a retirement community. Let's say I would be on the lake 2-4 hours a week. An hour + at a time. I'm 63 and arthritis loves me...so no high speed padding. No fishing (yet). Just joy riding and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors on a sunny day. The customer service guy at LL suggested the penobscot canoe in 17'. I want to buy right the first time. Also want quality. I looked on Craig's list and do not see anything locally. Keep the replies coming in. Every comment or opinion helps.
........ comment coming from me . It is almost unheard of that I would suggest a very light weight (or even ultra-light) composite lay-up canoe ... but I feel this type of canoe might just be perfect for you . For these types of canoes others can best enlighten you ... although I greatly admire and appreciate them , they are not for me and what I do in a canoe ... I'm a basher and cruncher at heart (I would wreck one fast in a mountain river) and prefer a tank of a canoe .
These light and agile canoes cost more , and in most (if not all) cases considerably more . But the pleasure aspect of pure paddling sensation on calm waters , being one with the canoe and all that , refined paddling technique , plus capable speed (as in high) if desired , and just plain ease of such a canoe's manuverablity (when compared to less refined canoes) ... will be something that you will never regret getting for yourself , your purposes and desires , place (waters) , age , and physical considerations .
I am hoping you are able to invest (afford) the dollars required to obtain one of the many canoes available in this light to ultra-light design and construction . Such canoes also command a good resale value on the used market . I believe all such type canoes will be of very high quality not only in construction methods but in design as well (such canoes are not intended to be relentlessly rock busting in mountain rivers as I prefer , and need) .
I'll only suggest one for starters , one of the Souris River models . They may not have a model best for you ... others can suggest other possibilities from here . They will ship to you direct , crated and under their liability I believe (talk to them direct , inquire and tell them you're just curious about purchasing a canoe and enjoy the conversation) .
1stCanoe , it is my feeling from listening to you , that should you end up purchasing such a canoe as I have mentioned (any one of the refined light canoes) ... that it (the canoe) will constantly be whispering in your ear "come on hurry up and jump in I wanna go out today" ... and bring my favorite paddle with you too !! ... it's just a gut feeling but I am seldom incorrect about such things ... best to you and enjoy no matter which canoe you chose .
What on earth do you need 17 feet for or more properly a 17 foot canoe? Grandkids? It doesnt seem like you are going tripping.
Also be advised that dragging gets old and there is the"right of light". Meaning that an heavy canoe at rest tends to stay at rest. Unused…in the yard. I have seen that time and again shorefront landowners on my lake with domrnant heavy aluminum and polyethylene canoes in the yard.
“If UPS was the only way for me to get a canoe; I’d paddle a kayak.”
If you know thebob you know how damning that statement is. He’d give up beer and Tulamore Dew, and then give away all his canoes and motorcycles rather than paddle a kayak
a canoe at all and are unsure as to which type of canoe will provide the most enjoyment for your situation and budget. Inquiries to your closest canoe dealers might reveal some answers as to what's available locally for new boats and your delivery options. I'd suggest a few phone calls or visits, if possible. Some in-person time, I think, would be very helpful. Go with independent shops. If you can, forget the chain stores.
sorry for my previous posts, i was NOT trying to hijack the thread.
i was in a similar situation and the title "purchasing a canoe" was similar to what i am in the need for and i am also looking at aluminum, but i'll stick to my own thread on the board.
my previous posts have been deleted by myself so as not to offend anyone, which it appears i did.
...... his suggestion to check out the Wenonah dealers (I think he said perhaps as many as 7 in Fl.) for a reasonable deal on a "used" Wenonah sounded really good . A nice used canoe is as good as any new one (minus the scratches which you will get anyway) .
I'm still suggesting a "light weight" composite hull (like 55 lbs. or less) ... Wenonah has quite a few of those in several different models 16'-17.5' range ... they also have some Royalex and Poly canoes but try not to think of those for now .
I'm thinking not much rocker (minimal 1' or so) , 33"-35" width , 16'-17.5' , Tandem , 55 lbs. or less ... not sure what hull types Wenonah will have (flat , shallow arch , shallow V ???) . Hope others can add something more about specific Wenonah models .
you had a legitimate question but the answers were getting braided with others. Perhaps you could start a new thread. It takes MUCH much more to offend us!
kinda depends on lake Might want something more maneverable and agile and comparatively light like an Argosy. I know of a mint kevlar one for sale but its in Canada.
The Vagabond is a kindly predictable solo for the new soloist.
Spirit II in Tuf Weave weighs only four pounds more than Kevlar flexcore, and costs much less. The Tuf Weave layup should wear without fuzzing and is plenty strong. The Spirit II is fast enough, maneuverable enough, and its shallow arch hull will have reassuring stability.
Indian River Kayak in Vero Beach has several Wenonah boats and may still have a Spirit II. Adventure Times Kayak in West Palm is a Wenonah dealer and I have ordered several Wenonah and Current Design boats form the owner Steve.
by saying thanks again for everyones help. You guys are direct and informative. I can get a Wenonah Solo Plus in Kevlar Ultra Light delivered to my door in a few weeks.
I talked to Stephen at Adventure Times Kayaks. The conversation was as good as it gets. To be continued.
And, really, it only took a few days for you to go from a metal utilitarian boat to a refined composite! Much longer, and you'll end up with a nicer boat than anybody here!
Kevlar UL: You'll want to store that indoors, if possible. Definitely under cover from sun. A good paddle or two and a proper PFD will set you back another 3-400 smackers, too.
