sportspal

[trevy727]

I'm thinking about picking up a 12' sportspal. Does anyone have any answers for me? Are they stabile? Can 2 people ride in one? Would this be a good canoe for a trip into the Algonquin interior? I have a canoe now but I would really like a lighter one. Thanks in advance for any info from anyone.

[irishfield]

They paddle like a BRICK.. I row my full transom model !

[vinnimon]

Terrible to control on a windy day.Awesome for taking a huge load.

[solopaddler]

Trev a 12' Sportspal is good for one thing only: dinking around in small ponds and back lakes on day trips.

 

A 12' Sportspal is potentially the worst possible craft for a canoe trip in the interior.

 

Beyond the fact that it paddles like a garbage scow it's simply not big enough for 2 guys plus gear.

 

In my opinion for canoe tripping with 2 adults a 16' canoe is an absolute minimum.

Personally I prefer a 17' as it affords much more capacity and is generally more stable if you're talking 2 large guys.

 

I understand your desire for a lighter canoe.

Unfortunately your best bet will be a used kevlar of some kind and that's still a bit of coin.

It's an investment though as it'll last a lifetime potentially.

 

If kevlar isn't in your budget at the moment the next best thing imo would be a 17' lightweight Grumman aluminum.

 

They're actually quite light and are very sturdy.

 

Even today the old Grumman aluminums service many summer camps, outfitters and lodges in the north.

[fishindude]

This is a question for Solopaddler:

Don't mean to go off topic but do you have an approximate weight estimation on the 16'/17' Grumman Aluminums?

 

Thanks

[trevy727]

Thanks a lot everyone. That's all I needed to know. I will not be buying one.

[solopaddler]

This is a question for Solopaddler:

Don't mean to go off topic but do you have an approximate weight estimation on the 16'/17' Grumman Aluminums?

 

Thanks

 

15' Lightweight Grumman is 55lb's

 

17' Lightweight Grumman is 60lb's

 

Bear in mind there is a vast difference in weight between the lightweight Grummans and the standard Grummans.