A fishing canoe is available in various shapes and sizes. Canoes come in flat bottoms and rounded bottoms. Flat bottom canoes feel safe in calm water and are easy to turn. But a flat bottom canoe can capsize easier than a round bottom canoe. When choosing a canoe, you also need to consider the width, called beam. Canoes with more beam are more stable.
Another consideration is the length of the canoe. For fishing in lakes, ponds or calm shallow rivers, a 16-18 foot canoe with a beam of about 36 inches would be a good choice. This type of canoe can handle two anglers. It is also recommended to go with a slightly rounded bottom. Aluminum fishing boats are sturdy, but they are noisy. The best choice probably is a fiberglass canoe. They are sturdy and can be repaired easily.
Lightweight and portable Outboard Engines for Canoes
Most outboard engine manufacturers make outboard engines for canoes. The size of the engines is usually 2 or 2.5 HP. Price is about $450-750. Tohatsu and Nissan offer a 2 HP four stroke outboard engine. The portable engine weighs 41 lbs and is suitable for small crafts. Honda offers a 2 HP motor that is suitable for canoes. The motor weighs 26.7 lbs. It is the lightest 4 stroke engine in the world. It is a durable and quiet motor. The Mercury 2.5 HP four stroke engine weighs about 38 lbs and it is suitable for small crafts. Warranty is 3 years.
The above outboards are perfect for most small boats like inflatables, canoes and small sailboats. These engines have an internal gas tank built into the motor for hassle-free operation. The engines will power a boat faster than trolling motors. They will push the boat through the water at about 5 to 10 mph.
