Canoe Question, Square Or Not

[WDinarte]

Guys I need some help here, I will get one canoe this year ( I hope soon ) it is the best option for Me, after I put all the up and downs I'm looking at one canoe I would like to go with square canoe for the option of motor down the road but I know that with one of the brackets ( mounting ) I will be able to add the motor to a regular ( not square ) canoe but  my question " if the motor in NOT in the back of the canoe, like the square option will make any difference ? " at this moment I'm only looking to the canoe and if some extra cash is around I know that I would  like a fish-finder too, but the main question for now is the motor position HELP please  

 

Thanks guys,   

[Tugmaster]

"Supposedly" square stern canoes aren't as efficient to paddle as a double ender. I've not paddled one myself but have heard this from more than one person. Todd

[WDinarte]

ok, good point... thanks, Tugmaster.

[ClackerBuzz]

buy the square stern if you have the option. double pointed canoes are much easier to find. 

i'm on my 4th season with two canoes, both double pointed. i added a motor after the 2nd season and never looked back. it's still nice to row on small bodies of water but the motor gives you access to so much more fishable water.  and means a TON more fishing time b/c ur not wasting energy rowing and ur moving quickly over unproductive water to get to high percentage spots.  

i use a homemade motor bracket on both. i stand up and fish in both.  setting the battery on the opposite side of the trolling motor offsets the weight and balances nicely. i'd also recommend a 6-8' battery to trolling motor extension cable so you can set ur battery in the middle or all the way up front.  it also helps balance ur rig front to back.  too much weight in the back with you leaves the front end doing a canoe wheelie.

[A-Jay]

The Square Back is not the best Paddler Friendly vessel but works nicely with a trolling motor here's my ride.

 

A-Jay

 

 

[ClackerBuzz]

^that there is the green machine I modeled mine after.

 

now if i could only fish as good as the captain   

[A-Jay]

^that there is the green machine I modeled mine after.

 

now if i could only fish as good as the captain   

 

 

Move to Alpena ~

 

A-Jay

[WDinarte]

great tips, thanks guys !!! 

[RAMBLER]

buy the square stern if you have the option. double pointed canoes are much easier to find. 

i'm on my 4th season with two canoes, both double pointed. i added a motor after the 2nd season and never looked back. it's still nice to row on small bodies of water but the motor gives you access to so much more fishable water.  and means a TON more fishing time b/c ur not wasting energy rowing and ur moving quickly over unproductive water to get to high percentage spots.  

i use a homemade motor bracket on both. i stand up and fish in both.  setting the battery on the opposite side of the trolling motor offsets the weight and balances nicely. i'd also recommend a 6-8' battery to trolling motor extension cable so you can set ur battery in the middle or all the way up front.  it also helps balance ur rig front to back.  too much weight in the back with you leaves the front end doing a canoe wheelie.

X2

At one time I had an air cooled 1 or 1.5 hp gas motor. It was a pain to use and not really safe.  Much preferred the small trolling motor. 

[Goose52]

There are advantages and disadvantages to the two motor positions.

 

A square-stern canoe lets you mount the trolling motor so that it is in alignment with the centerline of the hull - an advantage for steering and boat control. A disadvantage is that with the motor at the stern, you have to reach directly behind you to steer (uncomfortable for some). Having the motor on the stern also means you have to be aft in the boat which, depending on the length of the canoe, can put the bow up in the air if you are fishing solo. You can use a tiller extension as shown in A-Jay's photo to put your weight a bit farther forward.  I'm not sure the degree to which a square-stern canoes added drag (over a double-ended canoe) affects paddling efficiency.

 

A double-ended canoe, using a motor mount, can have the trolling motor farther forward, an advantage on fore-and-aft weight distribution if you are fishing solo.  It also is, to me, easier to steer since the TM is to the side, providing a more comfortable arm position for steering.  Two disadvantages of the side-mount are 1) the TM weight on the side of the boat, affecting side-to-side balance, and 2) propulsion thrust off the centerline of the hull, causing yaw and requiring steering correction.  I personally can cancel out item 1) by placing my seat and my weight on the opposite side of the TM and trim the boat.  Item 2) on yaw, I just add steering.  I also tend to favor right-turns if I have to turn sharply since the TM is on the right side...it's harder to add steering for a hard left turn.  Finally, there might be a slight reduction in top speed having the motor shaft as added drag compared to having the motor in the stern.

 

With either motor position, and as was already mentioned, it's recommended that you position the TM battery as far forward as possible to better balance the boat.

 

Here's an example of a side-mounted motor:

 

[A-Jay]

There are advantages and disadvantages to the two motor positions.

 

A square-stern canoe lets you mount the trolling motor so that it is in alignment with the centerline of the hull - an advantage for steering and boat control. A disadvantage is that with the motor at the stern, you have to reach directly behind you to steer (uncomfortable for some). Having the motor on the stern also means you have to be aft in the boat which, depending on the length of the canoe, can put the bow up in the air if you are fishing solo. You can use a tiller extension as shown in A-Jay's photo to put your weight a bit farther forward.  I'm not sure the degree to which a square-stern canoes added drag (over a double-ended canoe) affects paddling efficiency.

 

A double-ended canoe, using a motor mount, can have the trolling motor farther forward, an advantage on fore-and-aft weight distribution if you are fishing solo.  It also is, to me, easier to steer since the TM is to the side, providing a more comfortable arm position for steering.  Two disadvantages of the side-mount are 1) the TM weight on the side of the boat, affecting side-to-side balance, and 2) propulsion thrust off the centerline of the hull, causing yaw and requiring steering correction.  I personally can cancel out item 1) by placing my seat and my weight on the opposite side of the TM and trim the boat.  Item 2) on yaw, I just add steering.  I also tend to favor right-turns if I have to turn sharply since the TM is on the right side...it's harder to add steering for a hard left turn.  Finally, there might be a slight reduction in top speed having the motor shaft as added drag compared to having the motor in the stern.

 

With either motor position, and as was already mentioned, it's recommended that you position the TM battery as far forward as possible to better balance the boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paddling efficiency is reduced quite dramatically with the square back.  A few of my favorite haunts are "off the beaten path" and require a decent portage, a few others are paddle only waters - so while on these it's all A-Jay thrust.  Though not impossible, it's a bear trying to tool around for any distance.  There isn't much gliding going on.  But I get a good shoulder workout especially once that afternoon breeze whips up.

 

Tip - don't forget the Anchor.

 

A-Jay

[WDinarte]

Great information guys, I will keep in mind all this great information and thank you for take the time and pass some of your experience. 

[BrianSnat]

If you are going to mostly use a gas motor, then by all means go with the square back. If you are going to mix between paddling and using a trolling motor then I'd choose a traditional canoe.  Square backs don't paddle well and a trolling motor works nicely on a traditional canoe with the proper mount.

[Darren.]

Before I jumped from canoe to kayak, I strongly considered a square stern.

 

I did use a trolling motor, mounted on a 2x2" square aluminum "tube" at the stern, it was easy enough to use, but using stabilizers greatly increased (obviously) the stability of the unit with such weight on the side. I'd imagine the trolling motor at the back would be a bit less tippy, but I don't know since I didn't take that route.

 

Good luck with your search.

[WDinarte]

ummmm, yeah weight on the side, stabilizers... great information here to keep in mind. Thanks again guys.

[deaknh03]

If your gonna use the trolling motor most of the time, square back. I have one and havent paddled for 5 years now, except when its too shallow.

[WDinarte]

One last question guys... the " stability " for a Kayak and a canoe it is the same if the width is the same ?... Let say a canoe and a kayak with 36" of w. For fishing standing is that the same stability ?... If you guys can send Me some info. on this will be great.

 

Thanks guys !!