New Duck Boat Purchase!

[RM Anderson]

Every year at the close of the season I evaluate how to become more effective. One constant that became apparent was my lack of mobility. Though I love my two home built boats, getting them to where ducks want to be was always a challenge if not impossible. What I needed was something that could be portaged across walk in only Waterfowl Production Areas in my home state of Minnesota. Enter the original duck boat, the canoe. The Esquif Adirondack is constructed of T-Formex Lite which is a relatively new replacement to the discontinued Royalex and weighs only 38lbs. At 12 ft long it will fit it the back of our toy hauler, can be car topped easily or simply thrown in the back of our pickup. Best of all, it is spacious enough to accommodate Berta and a dozen decoys; an area of contention I have with with kayaks.
RM

 

[HenryHawthorne]

Looks like you'll be on the prowl! Enjoy!

 

[SJ Fairbank]

Nice canoe. I like the simple lines, composite gunwales and the camo pattern.

 

[Mark W]

Perfect. I have been looking at these as well. Probably much more durable that a thin skinned Radisson or Sportspal canoe. Did you buy it new or used? Locally? I think I may have seen this on Facebook but not entirely sure.

Think a small outboard or very small mud motor could be run on it?

Thanks -

Mark

 

[RM Anderson]

Perfect. I have been looking at these as well. Probably much more durable that a thin skinned Radisson or Sportspal canoe. Did you buy it new or used? Locally? I think I may have seen this on Facebook but not entirely sure.

Think a small outboard or very small mud motor could be run on it?

Thanks -

Mark

Mark,
I purchased new from Minnesota Canoes in Alexandria. The T-Formex is much more durable and lightweight. I hesitate to recommend mounting an outboard or mud motor as there are square stern canoes better suited for such use and it would defeat the purpose of staying light and mobile. I considered several different canoes and sit on top kayaks but kept coming back to the Adirondack for its light weight and large capacity. Keep in mind that this canoe is adept to using a kayak paddle as well as a single blade canoe paddle. A person could also remove the seat and use it as a layout blind. Stay light, RM

 

[Mark W]

Mark,
I purchased new from Minnesota Canoes in Alexandria. The T-Formex is much more durable and lightweight. I hesitate to recommend mounting an outboard or mud motor as there are square stern canoes better suited for such use and it would defeat the purpose of staying light and mobile. I considered several different canoes and sit on top kayaks but kept coming back to the Adirondack for its light weight and large capacity. Keep in mind that this canoe is adept to using a kayak paddle as well as a single blade canoe paddle. A person could also remove the seat and use it as a layout blind. Stay light, RM

Thanks. I am in the same "boat" as you. Looking to get rid of my 65lb Hoefgen as it is too heavy for me to handle. This boat I often use a kayak paddle on but also have a couple of mud motors that weigh less that 25lbs. Two I built, one is the old Rickshaw motor that was sold commercially sometime back. I'd like to keep the option of using a motor (mud or lightweight OB) on whatever boat I buy.

It is very nice. Alex isn't that far from me and we actually hunt west of there towards Beardsley. Good hunting out that way.

 

[RM Anderson]

Alex isn't that far from me and we actually hunt west of there towards Beardsley. Good hunting out that way.

Keith at Minnesota Canoes was great to work with and has a great selection. They are located in the mall in Alexandria, just call him before you drive all that way. RM

 

[Steve Sanford]

Every year at the close of the season I evaluate how to become more effective. One constant that became apparent was my lack of mobility. Though I love my two home built boats, getting them to where ducks want to be was always a challenge if not impossible. What I needed was something that could be portaged across walk in only Waterfowl Production Areas in my home state of Minnesota. Enter the original duck boat, the canoe. The Esquif Adirondack is constructed of T-Formex Lite which is a relatively new replacement to the discontinued Royalex and weighs only 38lbs. At 12 ft long it will fit it the back of our toy hauler, can be car topped easily or simply thrown in the back of our pickup. Best of all, it is spacious enough to accommodate Berta and a dozen decoys; an area of contention I have with with kayaks.
RMView attachment 72074

RM~

Sweet little vessel - best of luck with her!

I like that the makers camouflaged the interior as well as the hull. Too many "paint" (color? coat?) the interior a bright tone. Of course, most of what a duck sees is the inside of the hull.

BTW: I picked up a similar (but lesser!) craft last year.



It was sold by Sears - 1960s and 70s, I think.



This a was a "How can I pass it up?" purchase - just a few miles away.



The 'glass is very light - as is the whole canoe. I may need to beef it up with more 'glass.



I have no interior shot - but the aluminum framing is bent and broken. As I have done for all my gunning canoes, I will replace it with wood and just one thwart seat (like yours). I got it mostly to keep on one of my half-acre ponds here on the farm. They are wade-able - but it's nice to have a vessel to hold the decoys and to have alongside to keep me upright.

All the best,

SJS

 

[tod osier]

Every year at the close of the season I evaluate how to become more effective. One constant that became apparent was my lack of mobility. Though I love my two home built boats, getting them to where ducks want to be was always a challenge if not impossible. What I needed was something that could be portaged across walk in only Waterfowl Production Areas in my home state of Minnesota. Enter the original duck boat, the canoe. The Esquif Adirondack is constructed of T-Formex Lite which is a relatively new replacement to the discontinued Royalex and weighs only 38lbs. At 12 ft long it will fit it the back of our toy hauler, can be car topped easily or simply thrown in the back of our pickup. Best of all, it is spacious enough to accommodate Berta and a dozen decoys; an area of contention I have with with kayaks.
RMView attachment 72074

38 pounds will be really nice, especially if that material is tough enough to do some dragging through the reeds/cattails/grass. The first thing that got me really excited was the camo interior, I really like that. Get some mud on it to tame the sheen and you will be styling.

 

[Nick Zito]

Now do they make a model with a flat stern?

 

[RM Anderson]

Now do they make a model with a flat stern?

Nick,
Esquif does in fact make a spare stern called the Mallard but it is a bit heavier at 59lbs and rated for 3 hp. RM

 

[Carl]

Now do they make a model with a flat stern?

That was my exact thought!!
And how is the stability, can you shoot from it if staked in??

 

[Kevin Puls]

That’s very nice.

After a 7 day 100km canoe packing trip in Ontario with my son’s scout troop, I vowed that I would not get in a canoe again for the rest of my life.

But if I did it would be in one like that.

 

[RM Anderson]

That’s very nice.

After a 7 day 100km canoe packing trip in Ontario with my son’s scout troop, I vowed that I would not get in a canoe again for the rest of my life.

But if I did it would be in one like that.

Quetico Provincial Park?

 

[Kevin Puls]

Quetico Provincial Park?

As a matter of fact, yes.