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Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:49 am
by aarolar
I want to build a small canoe for duck hunting small creeks around my house. The waterways are 6-10ft wide and 6"-8' deep typically and pretty lazy most of the time current wise. The canoes I am considering are the NC16 or HC14 and my requirements are a good seat and lots of maneuverability and stability for being able to wingshoot out of without tipping. If I go with the NC16 would some sort of skeg help with tracking or would it be unnecessary?

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:25 pm
by Lon
Throw in cold weather clothing, expensive firearm, dog, decoys, etc., would cause me to choose the most stable canoe available. I did this this a long time ago in a "plastic" Coleman square stern Scanoe and did not dump it, but wouldn't have wanted anything less stable.

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 12:37 pm
by aarolar
I do live in Georgia which is pretty mild but yes I dont want to be following through on a woodie and pull the trigger and end up in the drink. :D

My main question is which is more stable the flat bottom design or double chine or even possibly something different?

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:28 pm
by jacquesmm
The CH14 is a little bit more stable than the HC14.

Consider two points: our canoes perform much better than the big wide plastic canoes but will never be as stable, it's the price to pay for better performance.
The HC14/16 must have their chine well immersed to be stable. Do not build a large canoe unless you are going to load it to the waterline.
The flat bottom canoes are not that sensitive to load but the HC boats perform a little better loaded.

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 3:45 pm
by aarolar
So how does the HC or CH compare to a flat bottom? My thoughts are the flat bottom will be the most stable and thats what I'm trying to confirm. Most of the time it'll be me by myself (200lbs) and about 50lbs of gear but occasionally I may have myself and a deer or even two people in it. During the summer me and my wife may take it out fishing.

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 5:03 pm
by jacquesmm
A flat bottom is not necessarily more stable.
BTW, the HC14 is a 5 panel boat, it has a flat bottom.
The link to the HC14 study plans is missing, see this:
http://www.bateau.com/studyplans/HC12_s ... ?prod=HC12

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2015 7:35 pm
by aarolar
Ok I think I'm going to do the NC16 just due to simplicity and time sake. I am going to use whatever 1/4" ply the local lowes carries so I plan to glass the whole outside how much glass will I need and what weight?

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 8:33 am
by topwater
I would take a good look at the Honker 15 , should do all you want and be stable.

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 10:16 am
by jacquesmm
topwater wrote:I would take a good look at the Honker 15 , should do all you want and be stable.
Good suggestion.

Re: Canoe for hunting small waterways

Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:10 am
by aarolar
Im afraid thats going to get too heavy for me to handle alone getting it down off my SUV.