Pimp My Canoe

[raisinrat]

with all the stiff I'm going to have on it it would be easier to back it in when I'm by my self. But hey thanks for the suggestion.

[Rupestris]

RR, I haven't got the boat out yet. The Mrs. thought it would be a better idea for me to help her sister move today. Luckily, shes moving to Gerogia so I don't have to unload the truck tomorrow.

I'll try again tomorrow.

[SA ULTRA MAG]

Raisinsrat,

I've got an Old Town Osprey 15'-5", similar to yours but without the square stern. I bought stabilizers (just like in Cabela's) from the manufacture. I paid extra for the camo powdercoated vs. the raw aluminum. This makes the canoe unbelieveable stable. My canoe has three seats and has the oar locks too. I've got the Old Town motor mount and the front anchor boom. It makes a great lightweight fishing machine.

Check out all the accessories that they offer for canoes and kayaks in the column to the left. They also have trailers.
http://www.canoegear.com/catalog/home.php

Funny thing is that this canoe hasn't been out of the rafters of the garage since I bought my DryFly Float Boat (inflatable pontoon) and was only used about 6 times prior to that....

[Rupestris]

Finally...






The straps are off and I don't trailer it with the motor on it but you get the idea.

[raisinrat]

Thanks, how are the tries doing on that trailer, some people told me I should get one with 12s on it.

[MIBIGHNTR]

Originally Posted by SA ULTRA MAG

Funny thing is that this canoe hasn't been out of the rafters of the garage since I bought my DryFly Float Boat (inflatable pontoon) and was only used about 6 times prior to that....

Is it holding the friken garage up or something?

Get that thing down, sell it, and then buy an extra DryFly for me to mooch off of you...

Mark

[Rupestris]

Originally Posted by raisinrat

Thanks, how are the tries doing on that trailer, some people told me I should get one with 12s on it.

Last fall I was haeded towards Mill lake out in Chelsea on I-94. The boat was behind the van and at 70 MPH I barely knew it was there. Keep the 8"-ers greased and all is well. The Harbor Freight trailer pictured has "Bearing-Buddy" caps so its east if ya got a grease gun. Otherwise get the .99¢ grease packs from AutoZone like I do.

As long as you're not rackin' up the miles on your trailer the 8" wheels will do just fine. From where you are to to the Raisin River you should have no problems at all.

Lemme know when you're ready to get a Michigan-Sportsman Smallie outing together on the RR. I'm all in.

[raisinrat]

don't know when but if I get the motor in time how about a Catfish trip. I got couple of places we could launch from.

[Rupestris]

Originally Posted by raisinrat

don't know when but if I get the motor in time how about a Catfish trip. I got couple of places we could launch from.

You're on.
Just gimme a heads up on when you'd like to get out.

[raisinrat]

Motor came in should have it end of april frist part of may. Cat trip in mid may if this happens.

[rootbeer]

Hey, bud, how did the canoe turn out? Did you get it all rigged up? How's it been working? I've revisited this post several times- saw some great ideas on here. I Have made several changes to my canoe based on stuff that was pictured or mentioned. The biggest improvement was a set of stabilizers. I didn't even know there was such a thing! Keeping true to my home-made keep it cheap philosophy, I made my own out of PVC tubing. Made em so they are removable-takes about 20 seconds to slide them on. Took it out this weekend for the first time to try them. Unbelievable! Canoe is stable as a rock. I can stand up, walk from front to back, etc. Boat wakes that used to shiver me timbers I don't even have to pay attention to now! Went meat fishing at the hot hole in Monroe Saturday. I could stand up and play the big ones-way cool! Cost me about 50 bucks to make them.
Anyways, thanks for starting the post and sharing your ideas, and thanks to everyone else who contributed photos and comments. I owe you one.

[ih772]

There are a lot of cool homemade accessories for canoes and kayaks listed online. Try kayakfishingstuff.com or use your favorite search engine.