Sportspal

[YourBassIsGrass]

This is more of a review than anything and figured this would be a good place for others that are looking for a great fishing canoe to gain some info.

 

Last year I picked up my first canoe. A Mad River Adventure 16. It was a good craft, nice seats and paddled easy. Ran some creeks with it and had a blast. However, it had inherently weak initial stablity and that combined with a bigger sized (270+ lbs) co-paddler made for some uncomfortable and wet lake outings. After dumping into a lake last year, losing two rods and a tray of tackle, I went on the search for something better.

 

I wanted something that I could really fish out of and use to access some electric only lakes where a canoe is really the best option. A jon boat is a bit heavy to take out myself if I need to drag it to the water and I would lose my garage. I needed something I could car top.

 

The Sportspal meets every expectation I had and then some. Weighing in at 68lbs or so it was already 20lbs lighter than the Mad River. I can car top by myself and shoulder it to walk it to the water. The stability is amazing. My 270lb co-paddler and I took it out for the maiden voyage, as that was going to be its true test. Within the first 15 minutes I was standing and fishing. Literally taking steps and pitching baits into cover. On the Mad River I could, with exteme caution, stand for a moment to stretch my legs or look downstream. On this canoe I can literally do jumping jacks. By the end of that first trip out, my co-paddler stood up to stretch while we were powered by the trolling motor. Not the smartest idea, but it does go to show how confident we were in the boat. The square stern is close enough to the rear seat that you can easily work a trolling motor (or outboard, the S-15 is rated up to 5hp) and not so close the handle is jammed into your back. The foam liner makes everything nice and quiet and the gunwale seats are very comfortable without any additional seating pads (although i will pick up some seat backers so my passengers can relax and lay back a bit). As for paddling, the included paddles were comfortable to use and moved the canoe very nicely. The keel on the boat helped track it well and with some conscious reminders to myself not to follow the gunwale while paddling the boat stayed well on track even in wind.

 

I had done my research on the Sportspal for over a year before buying. Mainly because I couldn't test paddle one at the time and I could never get a real determination anywhere as to whether it really was that stable. Some other forums talking about this canoes stability had some die hard purists that refused to accept that someone would want to stand in a canoe. Well I did want to.

 

I want to put it out there that the Sportspal is absolutely stable. Going from a canoe that would nearly roll while someone picked up a split shot, to being able to stand and work a jig is absolutely worth it.

 

Time will tell on the durability, so far I picked up a few scratches here and there and as this was a 'return' at the place I bought it I got a great price for it having a dent in the rear thwart. I really can't say how well it will hold up over years of use. I will definitely not be taking it on my creek bombing runs that I took the old Mad River on. Although it will more than likely withstand some bumps and dings, I am not a paddling expert and from my past experience know that I will hit some rocks. Hahaha, last time I went out on the Mad River my brother in law and I hit a rock so hard we slid off the seats. So, minus the creek runs, by far this canoe is my ultimate fishing vessel.

 

If you are in the market for a highly stable, lightweight, car-toppable boat. The Sportspal will not let you down.

[Dogmatic]

No doubt, one of the best. I have a Meyer's Sportspal S14, and have had my wife, two kids, and a dog in it(a 100 lb. Lab), and there was never a question about stability, definitely be careful with rocks, it's tough (tougher than the Radisson), but not that tough. I believe Goose52 has the Radisson version, totally "tricked out" for fishing, a sight to see. There's some YouTube vids on them too(KeepinItReelFishing). Good review. Good luck, have fun, and tight lines.

[YourBassIsGrass]

Goose52 was the initial spark of the flame for me to pursue getting a Sportspal. I saw his rigged out and he had stated the bigger ones were more stable. Then I saw 'The BEST fishing canoe' video and was hooked. I was debating on the S14 so I could shave some weight, but ended up on the S15 for the bigger motor capacity and more stability. I really couldn't find any definitive answers on how stable the boat was so I figured the bigger the better. 

 

Overall, really really happy with the canoe. I will keep an eye out for the rocks    thanks for the heads up. 

[rickdeez1]

My cousin has had his for 6 years now. I've been fishing with him for about 3 years now. Best fishing canoe ever! We get so many looks and questions every time we're at a lake or on the road.  

[Goose52]

I've had my Radisson on the water about 375 times over the last 6 seasons. VERY thin gauge aluminum, lots of dents in the bottom on the hull. BUT, no leaks. Seems like the 'ole gal has quite a few more seasons of service left.

A Sportspal, with thicker gauge aluminum, and better construction than a Radisson, should outlast my boat. I think you will be enjoying your boat for a LONG time.....but do stay away from those big rocks...