Sportspal or Radisson Canoe

Bill,
The Sportspal canoe has long been loved by duck hunters especially in the Michigan/Ohio area. Wide and stable, it makes a nice platform for a hunting canoe. One of my friends has used his so long I call it "Tecumseh" after the fierce Indian warrior. Because it's so wide, it doesn't paddle as well as a Mad River or even an Old Town. They hold up to lots of punishment. It's aluminum so it will stick on rocks vs. a plastic type canoe that will bounce off rocks.

The Radisson is a version of the the Sportspal, I believe still made in Canada, with thinner aluminum. It is lighter but it is also more subject to puncture on rocks.

Larry
 
What Larry said. They are also quite popular as a remote pond fishing canoe in Maine due to their light weight and short length, which makes them a lot easier to bushwhack in through the spruce and cedar bogs.

Might be suitable for two for short trips, but generally a one-man craft.
 
I own one and it has its place. That place is a small pond a mile back in the woods that I hunt. It lives there from October - January every year. It is not very stable, especially as compared to an Old Town that I have. It is extremely lightweight which is perfect for the application I use it for.

This summer I went on a canoe trip with a friend in his Radisson. His was a nicer version with fixed seats (still very light but also comfortable). Unfortunately it held up absolutely terribly and essentially did not survive the trip. As a flatwater boat it is alright. If you are going to be using it around rocks/trees, this is not the canoe for you.

I tried to bow fish out of mine but it was way too tippy. I use it when I have to carry a canoe a significant distance. I'll actually be using it for the opener here on Saturday.
 

Agree with much written already about both.


At one time they were like the Holy Grail of hunting canoes, especially for the unexperienced, and married guys...[;)]

Loaded with all things for waterfowling, and a dog. They are like paddling a sunken log, thru the pucker brush, button brush, etc.

In other words you will sweat & swear a lot in thick stuff. Warm you will be.

The total opposite as night and day, compared to a good double end marsh skiff.


Car topped a Radisson to the Outter Banks once. Had a NC State Trooper stop us, to ask what the hell we were going to do with it?


For fishing and deer hunting, much better than for waterfowling IMO.


my 2 cents
VP
 
My first choice would be a grummon sports boat but they are getting hard to find at a decent cost. I am looking for a boat to carry two people to their blind. with about a dozen or two dekes.
 
Hi William,

I have a Radisson 14' square end canoe, not to be confused with the wide-stern square end.

https://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/radisson.php


I really like the boat for the weight, or lack of, but it has it's limitations. They are very thin skinned so depending on your duck water structure, I would be hesitant to use in area prone to sharp objects. It's a great pond boat for fishing. I use my Old Town Tripper for my two person duck adventures. It's 17' so allows more room for decoys and dog. BUT is much heavier.


good luck with your choice.


Troy




 
I only fish with mine, and when not in use it is in my garage, so not exposed to the elements really, but yes, mine has held up to the fishing pressures. Not sure with the mud and muck and dog traffic duck hunting provides. I did puncture mine once, it was an easy fix with JB weld.
 
william gaynor said:
I am concerned with the foam inside of the boat does it hold up over a period of time,
Click to expand...


The foam holds up about as good as expected, and maybe even better. Dogs nails etc., and all the other "not careful and in a hurry things waterfowlers do". It takes a beating but still does it's job, as do the sponsons.

If you have a dog, getting in and out for the canoe, or EVER have cause to (how should I say...go #2, from the canoe cuz of deep water). You will be happy for having the sponsons. [shocked]

As my mentor would say - "That's $hitty conversation."
 
A friend of mine has used the Sportspal14 ft double ender and he had told me in the past that he really liked it.
I have since come across a Michi-Craft 13' double ender canoe and to be quite honest, I have a fleet of duck boats and canoes and this 13 ft
canoe with 42" width and weighing only 55 lbs, offers the best of all my boats combined. Solo I sit on the front seat facing backwards using a kayak paddle.
This thing has a max capacity of 690 lbs. Very stable and moves swiftly in very little water. One of the fleet I'll never part with
 


The foam interior makes them very quiet, for a vessel made of metal.

Quiet is very important while fishing, and hunting.

Nothing tops wood though IMO.


VP
 
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Quiet is very important while fishing, and hunting.
Click to expand...

Oh I dunno....there have been a few times out fishing and hunting that I have been very happy to have a noisy metal canoe. I am sure the people who were encroaching on me disagreed when I started squawking/singing like Scuttle from the Little Mermaid while banging my paddle around on the boat as my "instrument". Strangely enough, they were quicker to get out of my area than folk who I politely ask to back off because I am hunting or fishing in that area.
 
Dani said:
Vince Pagliaroli said:
Quiet is very important while fishing, and hunting.
Click to expand...

Oh I dunno....there have been a few times out fishing and hunting that I have been very happy to have a noisy metal canoe. I am sure the people who were encroaching on me disagreed when I started squawking/singing like Scuttle from the Little Mermaid while banging my paddle around on the boat as my "instrument". Strangely enough, they were quicker to get out of my area than folk who I politely ask to back off because I am hunting or fishing in that area.
Click to expand...


It is good that you give the critters, and fish notice of your presence.

Your a true conservationist. [;)]
 
Bill,
If your first choice is a Grumman Sports Boat then I would stick with that. I don't know what state you are in but Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota are the best places to find them. And if you find one, you will have to jump on it.

You might want to check in on the Waterfowl Forum on Michigan-Sportsman website. A guy there named "Shiawassee Kid" specializes in customizing the Grumman Sports Boat. He or someone else on that forum may be able to help you find your first choice.

Larry Eckart
 
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