We are extremely pleased to carry Bell Royalex canoes. These boats are ideal for many of our southeastern waters whether paddling on our larger lakes or our rocky streams and rivers. Royalex combines longevity, toughness and lightweight. Other plastics are not as light, or apparently as long lasting. In addition Bell Canoes have sophisticated, proven designs by some of the best paddlers and designers in the business. Do a little independent research and you will discover there is nothing better than a Bell. Check out their web site www.bellcanoes.com
We stock the Northwind 16’6” and the Morningstar 15’6”, and occasionally will have a Yellowstone (tandem) and the Angler/Backwater 14’ 6” series in stock. The Morningstar and Northwind are excellent all around models for lakes and rivers. They are certainly up to the challenge of class III whitewater, with the addition of flotation bags (which we would recommend for any open canoe used for a lot of whitewater running serious class II and above).
Special orders are possible on Bell Canoes. However, Bell delivers only on their own trailers and there could be a wait of 2 to 3 months on a special order.
Bell Yellowstone tandem make a great solo craft
for smallmouth fishing on the New.
Selecting a Canoe
There are some excellent canoes on the market, although perhaps not as many as there use to be. Brands like Bell and Wenonah produce many excellent models. Some select models by Old Town and Mad River, and a few other brands can be excellent all-around canoes for the southeast.
Stick with a well known brand and model. For all-around usefulness, pick a canoe that is 15-17 feet long. Make sure it does not have a keel or ridges or grooves on the bottom. Those hang on rocks and can make navigating a river much more difficult. A well designed canoe, without a keel, will track and handle great, especially if you learn the proper stokes for padding. The longer the canoe, the more weight (equipment and people) it can handle and the shallower it’s draft (a real benefit in low/shallow water situations).
Tips for Solo Paddling
Good, well designed canoes paddles great, as long as the paddler sits or kneels in the center of the canoe. This usually means you must add a kneeling thwart or a center seat. Doing so will transform an awkward unstable craft to a nimble, well handling canoe that will perform beyond your expectation. Learn the various strokes for paddling and practice so you can execute them well. In long stretches of flat water, a long double-bladed paddle (8-9’) can be a real asset in covering distance rapidly and efficiently (but perhaps without the aesthetics of single-bladed paddling).
Fishing from a canoe
Canoes make excellent fishing craft, as long as you adjust and adapt to their limitations (the same is true for kayaks and pontoon boats. They offer excellent versatility in rivers, whether going downstream or upstream. They are fast and efficient on slow, flat water. In addition, if you have chosen the right canoe, they are easy to load and unload and access waterways where other craft could not be launched.
Brands
We are no longer stocking Necky Kayaks. That is an excellent line of watercraft but they are not warehoused in the southeast and all shipments are from the northwest. Consequently, the logistics and expense of freight make them impractical for us.
As this is written, we are exploring several other brands which are produced or warehoused in North Carolina and South Carolina. We expect we will have a new line of kayaks by spring of 09
Selecting a Kayak
Many boats are excellent. It’s important, however, to thoroughly evaluate your intentions when purchasing a kayak. Some research with manufacturers, knowledgeable sales clerks and kayaking books will be invaluable.
Many customers begin thinking a little too short, perhaps because of lower price or weight. Generally speaking, the longer the hull the faster and more efficient the boat paddles. You also gain storage area in longer hulls. For example, a 12’ hull may be too short for lengthy paddles or overnight trips that require carrying camping equipment, food and water. Short boats may be excellent for playing in coves or for exploring tight, small streams… but inefficient for trips of several hours or on large, open bodies of water. Also, Sit On Tops are nice in warm weather and warm water but can be wet and cold in adverse weather. Sit Ins are usually the more versatile boat.
Sit on Tops (SOTs) are very popular for fishing. Due to slightly wider hulls and hull configurations, SOTs can be very stable in calm to moderate water. Plus, they are easy to get on and off of…simply by swinging you legs over the side in shallow water. This is a benefit for fishing shallow rivers and saltwater flats. However, when fishing in deeper open water, the traditional style sea kayak will provide more seaworthiness and comfort. This is especially true in steep seas and breaking waves when the “flatter” bottom of an SOT can cause you to be flipped over.
It’s also important to try a boat on. Actually sit in it, even in the store, and insure the seat and back rest are comfortable; that the foot pedals adjust to allow a comfortable knee bend; and that you can easily get in and out of the cockpit (more important for older paddlers).
Feel free to call, email or come by with kayak questions.
We stock Aquabound kayak paddles. These are excellent paddles at reasonable prices and excel in kayak paddling. They are extremely well designed with oval shafts and excellent fit in the joint. We also carry Carlisle paddles for the recreational market and Sawyer wooden canoe paddles for folks who appreciate the feel and performance of a finely crafted wooden paddle.
Naturally, there are a range of other accessories in stock including PFDs, straps, floatation bags, dry bags, and more… and we are happy to order specialty items from a number of different suppliers.