Boats: Colman Scanoe

Colman Scanoe

Interior aluminum-tube framed Scanoe in 1983 from Evans Jewelers & Distributors (!) for $205, probably at cost because they weren't selling well. It's extremely durable, stable and relatively roomy for a canoe-type vessel. It can be paddled in a pinch or when floating downstream. With a transom mounted Minn Kota 35 lb thrust motor, it clips along over our local reservoir as quickly as those sparkly bass boats with the big electric motors & golf cart batteries.

To keep the bow of your Scanoe down in the water and increase its stability, a deep cycle battery placed just behind the bow seat is perfect. I installed 4 ga. wire from a connection box under the stern seat, where the motor's alligator clamps attach, and the wires terminate at the bow seat at a set of battery clamps. I'm on my 4th battery and I've run this rig all day on the Chesapeake's tidal rivers, in the Bay proper, the upper Potomac and our local fresh water reservoirs. I also have used a 5hp 1967 Evinrude outboard (Fisherman - no gears, 2-cycle, very light) and the Scanoe clips along steadily but it will never "get up on plane" - don't expect speed out of this thing. Just remember that this boat gets more steady by increasing the load along its length - too much weight in the stern will allow it to roll over!

To move a Scanoe over short distances, install a 36" 2x4 across the stern with 8" wheels lag-bolted to the ends (use fender washers and don't tighten bolts - the wheels have to turn freely). Run two 5" carriage bolts through the 2x4 to matching holes in the transom. Turn the boat over, lift the stern, slip the carriage bolts into the transom holes and drop the boat onto the wheeled 2x4. Now you lift the bow and wheel the boat to the water or around the yard without lifting it & killing yourself. Drill holes through the carriage bolt shafts for spring clips to keep the 2x4 from coming loose from the transom. Pull out the spring clips at the water and toss the dolly in the truck for later.

Store this, and any, plastic boat out of the sun! UV rays will cause cracking in the Polyethylene hull. If your boat does develop cracks, another post here has a link to bulls-eye-trading, good folks who sell the only patch kit I could find on the Web. It works! Best of luck and please be careful.