Shallow Arch Or Flat Bottom?

[bass5891]

Hello. I'm a first time canoe buyer and I have no idea what kind of canoe to purchase. Well mainly, I'm stuck on whether I should to get a canoe with a shallow-arch bottom or a flat bottom. I'm a bass fisherman. I don't know how to swim and I know that is a big no-no but I will always have my life jacket on. Therefore, stability is very important but which stability is more important for fishing? Initial or secondary? I rarely stay in one spot so I will be moving along the water pretty often trying to find those bass. Thanks for your help!

[J Francho]

I'd get a sit on top kayak over a canoe, if stability was my main concern.

[MacP]

First off, learn to swim.  Secondly, I'd recommend any of the larger sit on top kayaks.  They are extremely stable comparatively.  If you're wanting a canoe to fish with more than one person, consider tandem kayaks or a small jon boat.

 

To answer your question, a flat bottom canoe will be more stable in flat water.   In any strong current a rounded bottom is not necessarily more stable, but it's less likely to tip as water moves around the sides.  A rounded bottom canoe or one with a keel will tracker better and straighter than one without.

 

http://www.voyageurcanoe.com/stability.html

[Insanity]

Il second the keel making it track straighter. I've got the 14 ft BPS used to sell for $500 that sucker will not paddle straight regardless of what you do. How ever they do make it with a square back for trolling motor. Wish I'd gotton that model. I guess you'd say it's a rounded bottom. As far as stability it's good. However your not going to stand for long as it will wear you out.

As far as turning over. When I first got it I tried several times. Finally steped up on the gun rail and put water over the side before losing my balance. Sucker is stable for a canoe. Better then my skinny 12 ft john boat by far. I don't even worry about the wakes off boat traffic. If it's not over three ft high il let it hit the side I don't even turn into it.

Mighty big pain in the butt to get to the water to. Weighs 80 lbs. add tackle or many trips and it's a real pain.

It's wider then even my ladder rack on my mini van. So I made a cradle to fit in the receiver on my truck to hold it upright in the bed. Without it I'd have left it at the lake by now. Let some other poor sucker have it.

Anyway il second the kayak. Theres a couple of fishing shows on tv here where they use them. The ones with peddels are handy for keeping your place while landing fish.

Sitting that low would be the bad side of it. As you can't see into the water as well.

But getting it to the water would be much simpler.

[Marty]

Hello. I'm a first time canoe buyer and I have no idea what kind of canoe to purchase. Well mainly, I'm stuck on whether I should to get a canoe with a shallow-arch bottom or a flat bottom. I'm a bass fisherman. I don't know how to swim and I know that is a big no-no but I will always have my life jacket on. Therefore, stability is very important but which stability is more important for fishing? Initial or secondary? I rarely stay in one spot so I will be moving along the water pretty often trying to find those bass. Thanks for your help!

 

I'm an owner of a wide canoe with a relatively flat bottom. I keep a whole lot of stuff on the bottom that I have easy access to. The big tradeoff with a wide canoe is less paddling efficiency. I fish some large waters, either in light winds or in protected areas, and some small ponds. Even with fairly strong winds, there is never rough water in those ponds that I fish.

 

As to which is more important, initial or secondary stability, who can say. They're both important when you need them. My boat would have poor secondary stability, but with the width and flat bottom I've never tipped to the point where secondary stability was needed. There are always tradeoffs and you have to decide which are most important to you.

 

Some of the above posts are as predictable as the sun rising in the east because every time someone asks about a canoe others tell them to get a kayak instead. I'm not telling you not to get a kayak, but to educate yourself and make a choice on what best suits your needs and comfort level.

[bass5891]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm actually not looking for a kayak because I will have many rods and at least 1 other person who will be fishing with me so I need some room. I plan on using a canoe for fishing only on calmer days so I guess I should get a canoe with a flat bottom and wider width?

[martintheduck]

My 2 cents - learn to swim then worry about boating. Hypothetical - you tip over wearing a life jacket and have to get back into the canoe... you think you'll be able to do that with your lack of swimming ability?

[Insanity]

My 2 cents - learn to swim then worry about boating. Hypothetical - you tip over wearing a life jacket and have to get back into the canoe... you think you'll be able to do that with your lack of swimming ability?[/quote

I new everyone was going to jump on his inability to swim.

Well for my two cents. I think wearing a life jacket is far better then being able to swim In the first place. Not to many people drown when wearing one but good swimmers drown daily. And I don't think it would take the avarge person more then a couple of mins to learn to dog paddle in one good enough to get to the bank.

I can swim great but i still can't get back into any boat. That takes more strength the one realizes. Especially when one gets older and or fatter. Try it sometimes. You might be surprised.

I dought many over the age of 35 could get back in a bass boat unless by the engine end.

[Insanity]

The wider the better as far as stabilty for sure.

I'm not so sure on the flat bottom. I'm thinking it would paddle even worse then mine. If that's possible.

But one things for sure if it has straight sides its going to have a point of no return much sooner then a semi round bottom. The semi round bottom will want to rite it self. I'm not so sure on the flat bottom. I think it will want to flip.

When fishing your constantly leaning over the side to land fish or rocking over to one side hard when you have to breack the line or set the hook.

Add another person into the mix and things can get scary. They will always do things when you least expect it.

The flat would be much better for getting in and out on the bank however. I no I'm not much help. Lol. But you can try mine if you want to come by.

[Phil_M]

Depends on where you are going to spend the majority of your time fishing.  Stablity is important in bass fishing and paddle fishing is very effective.  Arch vs flat bottom and stability is explained here:

 

http://www.paddling.net/guidelines/showArticle.html?show=709&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_medium=email

 

All canoes are tippy, some more than others.  As others have said, canoes that are not tippy don't paddle well.  I have a very tippy canoe that is a breeze to paddle and I use these:

 

http://store.springcreek.com/Canoe-Accessories/Canoe-Accessories/Spring-Creek-Stabilizer-Floats-Ethafoam-EF-Complete-Package-for-Canoe-p1588.html

 

IMHO, if you plan on fishing from a canoe, not just the casual dropping of a line when canoeing, stabilizers are a must.  They make the boat as stable as a pontoon boat.  Plus you can stand up for flipping/pitching into cover.  They can be raised up when paddling, which still prevents the boat from flipping but doesn't slow you down. 

 

 

Hope this helps and good luck.

[bass5891]

I can try to learn doggy paddle if that's the easiest to learn. I totally forgot that I will be leaning to the sides when landing bass. Thanks for the links Phil_M. So now I should get a shallow-arch bottom, with stabalizer floats? Those stabalizer floats seem expensive but human life is worth more than that so I will most likely invest in some. By the way I'm 22 years old, still young and I still have my balance and I'm a 5'2-5'3 male at around 130lbs so I'm not a big guy.

[BrianSnat]

There is no one answer.  There are many very stable shallow arch boats.  You may also want to consider the distances you plan to cover while fishing.  If you get a  wide and super stable boat you will lose a lot speed wise, so you may want to compromise with a little more speed and a little less stability.  I think good secondary stability is the important thing.  It may take a while to be comfortable with less primary stability but you will eventually.

[bass5891]

Thanks for the replies guys. Covering distances is not a big deal since I don't plan on going very far with a canoe. I'm almost down to my final decision of what kind of canoe I'm getting. I'm leaning heavily towards a shallow-arch bottom. I can always get stabalizers.
Has anyone owned the Old Town Guide 147 canoe or does anyone know anything about it? Is it a good/decent canoe for bass fishing? Is the width of 38" wide enough and the length of 14'7" long enough for 2 people but short enough for 1 person? I'm 5'2 - 5'3 and my partner is around my height.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/recreation/guide_147/

[BrianSnat]

Thanks for the replies guys. Covering distances is not a big deal since I don't plan on going very far with a canoe. I'm almost down to my final decision of what kind of canoe I'm getting. I'm leaning heavily towards a shallow-arch bottom. I can always get stabalizers.

Has anyone owned the Old Town Guide 147 canoe or does anyone know anything about it? Is it a good/decent canoe for bass fishing? Is the width of 38" wide enough and the length of 14'7" long enough for 2 people but short enough for 1 person? I'm 5'2 - 5'3 and my partner is around my height.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/recreation/guide_147/

The OT Guide is a good choice, though if you usually plan on having a partner you are probably better off with the 16 ft version/

 

Another option is the  Bell Angler  http://www.bellcanoe.com/products/default.asp?page=product&id=597&catid=195   It's a lot lighter than the OT.

 

This should help with your decision 

 

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=412

 

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1242

[Marty]

 

Is the width of 38" wide enough and the length of 14'7" long enough for 2 people but short enough for 1 person?

 

Thirty-eight is wide for that length boat. Mine is 39" wide for a boat slightly shorter, but I only use it solo. I knew I was giving up some paddling efficiency, but it's not a problem because I'm never more than about 3/4 mile from the launch.

 

I fished from the front of my friend's 16' canoe a number of times and it's not a lot of fun. Sure, I can fish OK, but there's not much room to move around.

 

 

I totally forgot that I will be leaning to the sides when landing bass.

 

This shouldn't be a big problem. Don't forget that people in a canoe are normally in the bow or stern, the narrowest parts of the boat, so landing that bass is not so much leaning as just reaching a short distance while still sitting on the center of the seat.

[bass5891]

The OT Guide is a good choice, though if you usually plan on having a partner you are probably better off with the 16 ft version/

 

Another option is the  Bell Angler  http://www.bellcanoe.com/products/default.asp?page=product&id=597&catid=195   It's a lot lighter than the OT.

 

This should help with your decision 

 

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=412

 

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/showReviews.html?prod=1242

 

How expensive is that Bell Angler canoe? I can't find a price. I forgot to mention that I'm on a budget. I would buy the 16' version but I'm just afraid I won't be able to carry it if I decide to go canoe fishing by myself.

I have another question, is it recommended to buy a used canoe rather than a brand new one? I don't see the purpose of buying a brand new one if a used canoe works just as good. There's a used Old Town Guide 147 for $375 in my area and I think I'd rather buy that one than a brand new one for $700.00.

 

 

Thirty-eight is wide for that length boat. Mine is 39" wide for a boat slightly shorter, but I only use it solo. I knew I was giving up some paddling efficiency, but it's not a problem because I'm never more than about 3/4 mile from the launch.

 

I fished from the front of my friend's 16' canoe a number of times and it's not a lot of fun. Sure, I can fish OK, but there's not much room to move around.

 

 

This shouldn't be a big problem. Don't forget that people in a canoe are normally in the bow or stern, the narrowest parts of the boat, so landing that bass is not so much leaning as just reaching a short distance while still sitting on the center of the seat.

 

Okay that's good to know. Also, I don't plan on traveling very far with a canoe. I just want to be able to fish other places nearby that is inaccessible by foot. Thanks for the info!

[Insanity]

Nothing wrong with used. The only thing I no to look at is the nose and rear to make sure it isn't wearing to thin. The plastic is so soft on mine that rocks cut the crap out of it. Another 10 to 20 trips and its going to being leaking somewhere. Little clear caulk should keep it dry though.

Car wax works great on the bottom. Makes it slide threw the water twice as easy,fast. And it slides over rock easer as well.

[bass5891]

Alright good. I'll be sure to look at the front and rear.

[retiredbosn]

If you are taking ppl along I would recommend a bass hunter type boat. Very, very stable, light and easy to handle. I weigh 230 and I can stand on the edge of mine no problem. I think u will be very careful, but I don't trust anyone else to be. BTW you don't want to know how many floaters I picked up with life jackets on. If u can't swim the only safe jacket is one that will float u face up. Get knocked out while flipping and you are toast.

[bass5891]

I'd like a boat but I don't have the money, the right car, trailer, etc. to pull it. Yeah I'll be sure to find a reliable and durable life jacket. If anyone knows a very good life jacket just let me know. Thanks!

[martintheduck]

I new everyone was going to jump on his inability to swim.

Well for my two cents. I think wearing a life jacket is far better then being able to swim In the first place. Not to many people drown when wearing one but good swimmers drown daily. And I don't think it would take the avarge person more then a couple of mins to learn to dog paddle in one good enough to get to the bank.

I can swim great but i still can't get back into any boat. That takes more strength the one realizes. Especially when one gets older and or fatter. Try it sometimes. You might be surprised.

I dought many over the age of 35 could get back in a bass boat unless by the engine end.

 

 

Your user name fits you perfectly

[Marty]

 

Insanity, on 16 Nov 2013 - 05:20, said:

I new everyone was going to jump on his inability to swim.

Well for my two cents. I think wearing a life jacket is far better then being able to swim In the first place. Not to many people drown when wearing one but good swimmers drown daily. And I don't think it would take the avarge person more then a couple of mins to learn to dog paddle in one good enough to get to the bank.

I can swim great but i still can't get back into any boat. That takes more strength the one realizes. Especially when one gets older and or fatter. Try it sometimes. You might be surprised.

I dought many over the age of 35 could get back in a bass boat unless by the engine end.

 

 

Your user name fits you perfectly

 

I don't see a relationship between the user name and the post, other than the 2nd sentence could've been worded better. A good PFD does keep its wearer afloat and good swimmers often drown. Many of the latter have gotten in trouble because they didn't take precautions due to an overconfidence in their swimming ability.

 

Of course, hypothermia poses a threat to anyone under any circumstance.