square stern canoe update

Dwight Harley

Dwight Harley

Well-known member
Many of you were good enough to make some suggestions and comments regarding square stern canoes. Some online research and some phone calls to dealers have convinced me that what I need is known as a "y-stern" canoe.
Scott Canoe and Northwoods Canoe make several y-stern models. Both companies are Canadian.
I followed a link one of you gave me to Cedar Ridge Canoes in Wisconsin that used to make a y-stern but they have quit making canoes to concentrate on their other fiberglass products. Too bad, because one model, the Sturgeon 16 footer was exactly what I wanted. There is another outfit near the Twin cities, River Ridge Custom Canoes, that makes a similar canoe for fishing with lots of neat add-ons, but it is only 12'9" and I want at least a 15 or 16 footer.
Am i missing any other companies that make a y-stern canoe?
 
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Dwight,
When I lived in N. WI these types of canoes were for sale everywhere. Golden Hawk, Cranberry Creek, and River Ridge all seemed to be making the same boats. I have a 10' Golden Hawk double end that I have used to do lots of hunting and fishing. I love that little canoe it is one of the handiest little boats I have ever owned. I do not see where anyone is making the size you are looking for. I would try a craigslist search for a used boat. Good luck.
 
Dwight,
I have one of the Alumicraft Y Stern Freighter canoes. Its aluminum I can car top it myself and the entire family and the dog can go hunting safely. I think its 19 feet long and bought it used last year for 125.00. If they are making the 17 foot version of it I would highly recommend it. I am really fond of it paddles well and handles well with the small outboard. Plan to do lots of camping out of it this summer.
 
Not to confuse things too much . . . .but another option is to get a motor mount for a double end canoe. Two guides I know fish clients out of big standards canoes with a motor rig. One has an 18 foot Grumman aluminum; the other has a 20 foot Old Town Tripper XL. One used just an electric trolling motor; the other actually has motor mounts on both sides of the canoe and puts a 5 horse outboard on one and an electric on the other. One fishes the mangroves in South Florida, the other the rocky rivers in Maine. It's a handy rig. Two anglers can stand and cast in either boat.

I would not try this on a canoe shorter than 18 feet.
 
I just got a mad river adventure 16 footer, which is a plastic canoe, with very comfy seats, and a tiny motor mount. I think its rated for up to 2 hp or something tiny like that (mainly trolling motors would be my guess).

The boat its self is good, but a bit heavy (80 pounds) for a single person to lug around. Easy for 2, and even easier for 2 plus a cart. My wife and I are thinking about doing the colorado100 race this september... I guess I will know then if its a good boat (if it doesn't melt in the heat). :P
 
The Y stern will handle with paddle,better than a square stern.If you intend to be under motor more often,I would go with a square stern,unless you can find a nice Y stern.The clamp on motor mounts work OK on a double ender w/2-3HP.I've seen indians run a 25hp on 20"square sterns with a planing board ted under the mid section,on the Maine lakes.
 
I have a double ender aluminum springbok 14` I simply cut one of those c channel galvanized electrical wire hanger stringers so it would fit across the back of the rear seat put c clamps on it to the gunnels.welded another section on the end to double wide it to accomodate the 2hp evenrude welded on a safety chain. also put that black foam insulation for pipe around it where it touchs the canoe to keep noise down...

for big water we macgyvered out riggers from sewer pipe with caps... worked great!! way more stable for float fly fishing standing up...

shermie...
 
Raddison and Sports Pal both make a square stern which Is more like a 'Y' shape and both make a 'transom backed' canoe. Made of aircraft aluminum.

Best - Paul
 
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