Coleman's Scanoes are more stable than most canoes. Their hulls are tough enough so I drag mine up and down dredger pond boulder banks with a winch. However, they do not paddle particularly well even with double paddles. Add the optional center seat, properly placed oarlocks and decent oars and you can row as fast as most 3 h.p. motors run. You catch more fish too, because of the pull and glide speed variations. I also use a set of gunwale-mounted rear view mirrors to see where I'm headed; this improves my catch because I'm looking out over my lures and am better able to spot short takes or trailing weeds. My Scanoe also works with a 1.2 H.P. 12 pound motor or electric. I dump the Scanoe off my cartop carrier, strap it right side up onto an inexpensive set of L.L. Bean wheels, load my gear and I can roll it a mile or so to favorite ponds other- wise limited to float tubers. The only problem is Chubs, my springer, who wants to ride in the boat while I push. BUDGET TIP: I've found lots of used bargain Scanoes.
NEXT WEEK: PART TWO INFLATABLES ET AL
