Help me chose a Design

You don't know which boat you should build to suit your personal needs? Please post your questions here and our many contributors will surely have some good advice.
Post Reply
druddock10@comcast.net
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:49 pm
Location: Peachtree City, GA 30269

Help me chose a Design

Post by druddock10@comcast.net »

I am about to order plans for a canoe from Bear Mountain and am debating between the Hiawatha and Prospector. I plan to use it primarily on lakes and slow moving rivers with my wife. I have some paddling experience but she has none. Also, I have limited woodworking experience and not a very well stocked wookshop. Any suggestions?
User avatar
Glen Smith
Posts: 3719
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 9:08 am
Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Post by Glen Smith »

The Prospector is much more stable than the Hiawatha and also more maneuverable so I think it would be a better choice. I have a Hiawatha and I find it very tender in the seating position, however when paddling solo in the kneeling position I can get the outwale down to the water, hold it there and paddle along without difficulty. I chose the Hiawatha because of the "traditional" look. If I had known then what I know now, I would have built the Prospector either in the 16 foot length or as a 15 foot Ranger.
Post Reply