canoe carrying capacity

D

derreckmoen

New member
I am still trying to make my final decision on which boat plans to build for next duck season. The one I like the most I would be pushing the limit of its carrying capacity. I noticed that canoes of similar length but narrower with had higher carrying capacity. Is this because of the higher side walls? Is there a way to increase a boats weight limits?
Forgot to mention that I am choosing from Devlins designs.
 
Canoes can carry a bunch until the tip over!

There are a number of boats out there that perform much better under duck hunting conditions.

Which devlin are you looking at? you can definitely modify the plans to make the boat work for your needs.

-D
 
Thats my thoughts also. I really like the bluebill. But I am also considering the mallard and poleboat. This will be my first build and I am a little intimidated with modifications. I would like to hear any suggestions you think I could handle.
 
I built the Devlon Mallard last year. I added 1" to the sides, just added to the top of the sides when I layed them out, then ya have to fit the bulkheads in. I used cdx for templates to fit, then transfered to good marine plywood for perminate pieces. Much more than an inch or two defetes the low style of these boats. I bungy 9 goose decoys to for deck & carried 5 dz. inside. I liked the boat, but its not fast, displacement style hull. Check with the Devlon people about mods. they're very helpful. I took a buddy with me a couple of times, it carried us no problems(240# ea.)+ a full load of decoys, but its a bit small for 2 to hunt out of. I hope this helps.
Dennis
 
Going bigger, wider and longer is the way to go for more capacity. A duck boat shrinks and expands depending on conditions. In your garage it will double in size until you can not move around it. In the water loaded up, it will shrink 25%. Loaded in rough water, it will shrink at least 50%.

A longer, wider boat will allow you to spread the load out with a lower center of gravity.

Go with the next size up boat. Don't you think Devlin considered varying situations and requirements, some similar to yours? He came up with boats of various sizes, rather than one design of varying depth.
 
Take those "carrying capacity" figures for canoes with a grain of salt. Most of them are the weight the boat can carry and maintain 6 inches of freeboard. That's a lot bigger load than the canoe can comfortably and safely carry, and the actual carrying capacity might be half of that. I have two canoes (both from very reputable makers, and both considered among the better "tripping" canoes ever made) that advertise a carrying capacity of 1200 pounds. I've spent a lot of time in both, and the maximum load I feel comfortable with is more like 700 pounds, and less than that if whitewater or lake waves are on the agenda. Two adults and a lab don't leave a lot of room for extra gear on a blowy day.
 
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I can give you the Coast Guard formula for static float if you would like it but it is pretty much useless with a canoe. A canoe is really hard to measure. The capacity is calculated by the manufacturer taking into account the gear, people etc... Width of the beam is a major part of the equation because the more water you displace the more weight you can safely carry. I would say most manufacturer's will error on the side of caution when figuring capacity. Get a canoe, put it in a pond and fill it up with 5 gallons of water at a time. When it starts to tip you will know the real capacity(5 gallons of water x how many x 40 lbs). Rough but it may help. Good luck
 
I don't think adding an inch or so adds much if any capacity, the sides angle reduces any verticle highth. I did it to make myself feel better with a simple mod. I was capable of dooing. Andy is right, wider and or longer is the way to increase capacity. I usally hunt by my self& my mallard fits my style well. I can haul more decoys than I want to pick-up at the end of the day, + lunch, shell bag etc. I did add a shelf on both sides to contain shells, coffee cup calls ashtray etc. best mod I did to it. It scoots along ok with my 6hp rude., cut& throw some local weeds on deck& we dissapear. Good luck to ya on any build ya decide on. ( you don't have to limit yourself to one boat!!! I'm planning my next build now!)
Dennis
 
Thanks for all the responses. I am just trying to make a safe decision yet have a boat my buddy and I can handle if need be.
 
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