I Need Some Canoe Size Advice

[Macrosill]

I need to pick up a canoe for the local waters.  Most are all car top and hand launch, no boat trailers.  I was thinking of a 15' canoe as I would be fishing solo most of the time.  But now I am thinking about a 17' to take 2 of my kids with me.  Weight is always an issue as I will be topping it onto my Suburban solo.  

 

I am looking at mainly fiberglass used canoes.

 

[Jim McC]

I think you'd be better off looking for an aluminum canoe, for the reduced weight.

[Macrosill]

Aluminum would be lighter than fiberglass?

[Marty]

I have a 14' tandem canoe which I only use solo. You obviously have to have something for both solo and with two kids along. A 16-17' should suffice. It'll be heavier and a little harder to handle, but depending on the width it may paddle more efficiently.

 

Good luck.

[Jim McC]

Aluminum would be lighter than fiberglass?

Yes

[deaknh03]

I have a 16', flat back that I can load on top of my mini van by myself. fiberglass.

[Neonsnow78]

i have a 14ft Old town Hunter. Its 14ft and fits me and my 8 yr old just fine. i also solo out of it. weighs in at like 50lbs so not that bad.

[Trackick9707]

I have a 17 foot aluminum canoe and I solo it alot.  The extra length makes it way more comfortable if you are a gear junkie.  Look at cabelas.com for the canoe rack that they sell that works with the hitch on your truck.  1 person on and off the truck, simple as can be.  It's $100 and worth every cent. Also being able to tell people at the launch that you don't need their help, then they look at you like you're an idiot, then they are shocked when the rack pivots and you load it with 1 hand is priceless.

[MoeC]

Do you know the make/model? I am just starting my research on a hitch-rack for my shortbed pickup.