An old dilemma, the everlasting hunt for a canoe...and..the sharing economy???

smitty9 · #1 04-28-2016, 05:07 PM

Well, once more dear friends, we enter the breach.

Every year I try to make it out to Maligne Lake. Most often, I do a day trip. Been wanting to do a multi day excursion for a few years now. Got lucky yesterday with 4 total nights at Fisherman's and Coronet.

Anyways, the same old, same old; where the heck can I guy get a canoe? Curries doesn't rent freighters anymore, neither does Source for Sports, neither does Online. Joe and Martha tourist prefer the plain generic canoes in the 12 foot to 15 foot range. Absolutely inadequate for Maligne, but no one rents the big freighters anymore. Too specialized, not enough demand. Source for Sports finally gave it up after too much complaining; a high maintenance part of the business. (I don't blame them). And the Malgine Tours boathouse? Yeah, rowboats, and some (1 or 2) dusty, creaky, 16 foot canoes (not sure they have them back). Didn't like them one bit.

So...shot in the dark? I am fed up with this annual ritual of hunting down a suitable rental (NO one, I mean no one rents 18 foot+ freighter canoes. Don't bother with "Have you tried..." unless something has drastically changed...I have phoned them ALL).

So...how about a different approach? In the 21st century, more and more people turning towards a sharing economy.

*****

So is there anyone out there, like me, likes to fish Maligne and perhaps a few other places, but cannot justify the expense of purchasing a canoe essentially for a single purpose? I got a nice little pram for flyfishing lakes around Edmonton. Dad's got a nice lund for pike and walleye. And neither are suitable for Maligne. If only Maligne allowed gas... (i know, I know).

I have no real purpose to buy a 18-19-20 foot freighter canoe. Except for Maligne lake.

So anyone in the same boat?

Shot in the dark...would anyone like to share a freighter canoe with me? Go in for halves or thirds or quarters? Yeah, sharing can have some issues, but I would only need the canoe once, perhaps twice a year. I can't justify dropping $5K on a Scott freighter or some beautiful cedar strip for a once per year trip.

Any takers? I have the motor and batteries already. I can probably figure out a winter storage solution. Just need the canoe and a trailer.

I have seen some used ones on Kijiji for about $2000. Still. Don't want to buy a once-per-year boat unless someone else is keen also.

21st century folks! Time for some sharing!

Let me know; pm me!

Serious inquiries please. I am ready to do this, we can make it work.

Mike Smith
"Smitty"

brohymn2 · #2 04-28-2016, 06:06 PM

Pm sent

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catnthehat · #3 04-28-2016, 06:15 PM

PM also sent!
Cat

schmedlap · #4 04-28-2016, 06:17 PM

but I would have been interested in the concept 25 years ago when I had the ambition for such trips. Such sharing of relatively expensive "toy" resources used to be a real thing - the concept now seems to be anathema to most people. When my Dad (RCN pilot at the time) was posted to Key West, Florida on exchange with the USN in the late 50's, he took over one third of the boat that the Canuck families on those rotating exchanges had acquired, paying off the guy who was leaving, and it was an affordable venture and great asset for our family for the 2 years we were there. When we left he sold his share to his replacement. I have no idea whether they had any written agreement on the sharing and use - probably just a trusting handshake thing amongst peers in those simpler times (?).

I do know that if I was doing it today I would insist on an at least basic and simple written agreement about shared and sole use, maintenance, storage, liability for damage/loss, and resale/buyout in the event of disputes. "Fairness" and responsibility in such things seem to be outdated concepts, just as much as the wisdom of "trust" (?).

smitty9 · #5 04-28-2016, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmedlap

I do know that if I was doing it today I would insist on an at least basic and simple written agreement about shared and sole use, maintenance, storage, liability for damage/loss, and resale/buyout in the event of disputes. "Fairness" and responsibility in such things seem to be outdated concepts, just as much as the wisdom of "trust" (?).

No question a written agreement would be called for. Sensible.

Mike

smitty9 · #6 04-28-2016, 07:32 PM

Jet:

Thanks for the link! I'll check out the nautical monkey site.

As I said, nothing can get done without spelling everything out in writing.

The trip went well; we managed to get in on one of the last years ever that the new owners of Curries would rent a canoe. We did the canoe Saturday and a Maligne boathouse rowboat on Sunday. The rowboat was slow. And at 14 feet, a little short.

I have thought very hard and long about the canoe as an investment and then renting it out. I have thought about it carefully. Lots of issues with waivers and insurance, and then would I end up with the same P-I-T-A issues as the businesses in Jasper? Probably. Its not for nothing that all 3 local Jasper businesses have gotten out of the game of renting this specialized equipment; just too much headache.

So I thought of this first; people take care of stuff better when they own it. Essentially it boils down to I rather have the headaches of shared ownership versus the headaches of single ownership trying to rent.

Of course, just occasionally, a smokin' good deal crops up, maybe I can justify the cost if it were really cheap.

Thanks for asking about the trip. Such hypocrisy that Parks Canada gets to run huge boats daily that use gas, but God forbid a little old user like me uses one...

Gerv · #7 04-29-2016, 01:04 AM

I believe totem outfitters in edmonton rents the kind of canoe your after. not sure if you're willing to haul it to jasper for your trips but it is an option.

58thecat · #8 04-29-2016, 05:41 AM

I got a canoe, had it since 1980, we call,it the battle barge, did the bowron circuit with it, some hairy Rapids, sat in it and went down cuts to remote lake tobaganing with gear in it, lent it out a 100 times, your welcome to it, 14' Coleman tuper ware canoe, might not be what your looking for over all but if you want to borrow it let me know, tried, tested and true.

smitty9 · #9 04-30-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 58thecat

I got a canoe, had it since 1980, we call,it the battle barge, did the bowron circuit with it, some hairy Rapids, sat in it and went down cuts to remote lake tobaganing with gear in it, lent it out a 100 times, your welcome to it, 14' Coleman tuper ware canoe, might not be what your looking for over all but if you want to borrow it let me know, tried, tested and true.

Appreciate the offer; that's very generous of you!

Yeah, it will be too small. Otherwise, I'd definitely take you up on it. Thanks though, nice of you too offer. This is when the board really is at it's best.

Cheers.
Mike

cube · #10 04-29-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerv

I believe totem outfitters in edmonton rents the kind of canoe your after. not sure if you're willing to haul it to jasper for your trips but it is an option.

X2

http://www.totemoutfitters.ca/wp-con...-Sheet-PDF.pdf

smitty9 · #11 04-30-2016, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cube

X2

http://www.totemoutfitters.ca/wp-con...-Sheet-PDF.pdf

Yeah, I'm going to stop by Totem this year, in case their rental inventory has changed (I went to them last year, no go).

Couple of canoes look sorta promising, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too much. lol

Appreciate the help though, thank-you.

Mike

P.S. The problem I've found is that most canoes aren't deep enough. Last year I rented one that was only 16-18 inches deep. By the time you load 10 batteries up, add 3 guys plus gear, there was only 1.5 inches of freeboard left! Yikes. So a big issue is getting a canoe that is a minimum of 2 feet, even preferably 36 inches deep and at least 44 inches wide.

Basically, I need a freighter canoe that the Alaskan bush guys use to go moose hunting and you can put a 1000 pound animal in there.

SamSteele · #12 05-01-2016, 07:13 AM

MEC also rents canoes I believe. Might we worth checking with them as well.

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CanuckShooter · #13 05-01-2016, 09:06 AM

10 batteries?? Why on earth would you want that many??

Wouldn't 2 batteries, a 1000 honda generator, 2 gallons of fuel and a battery charger be easier?

Just wondering....

smitty9 · #14 05-01-2016, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckShooter

10 batteries?? Why on earth would you want that many??

Wouldn't 2 batteries, a 1000 honda generator, 2 gallons of fuel and a battery charger be easier?

Just wondering....

I'll be happy to shed some light; Parks Canada won't allow generators; haven't allowed them since the 80's.

For the serious nut fisherman like me, having 8 to 12 batteries for a 5 day trip is pretty much the norm. You'd be surprised. The lake is long and 5 days is a long time in power requirements. Plus, I have 24 volt motor, so 2 batteries are being used up at once.

Though, that reminds me, I could see what's the latest and greatest in solar recharging, but last time I checked, most recharging technology is inadequate to re-charge deep cycle marine batteries. Or super expensive. I should look into it...

MEC is definitely no good. Totem has a better selection than MEC.

This is like the movie Jaws: "you're gonna need a bigger boat..."

Just as a reference, one of the most popular canoes that Source for Sports in Jasper sells, specifically for Maligne fisherman (but won't rent them) is this Scott Hudson Bay model, 21 feet, or the Albany' 18,4". They're ideal; both are 50 inches wide or better, and at least 18 inches deep. Can really carry a load:

http://abitibico.ca/en/products/canoes

Appreciate the feedback. It's a challenging problem, but I'll figure something out I'm sure.

Cheers.
Mike

catnthehat · #15 05-01-2016, 10:58 AM

I can't find the picture bit I think it was a pic of Specke55 with his freighter all loaded up and towing a 12 tinner as well!
Cat

wwbirds · #16 05-01-2016, 11:30 AM

If you can find one used (better off having someone look for you in Ontario) are just great for loading up for 5-7 days hunting trips we did it with mine on the French river in Ontario many times. Other than the one I brought west I think you would be hard pressed to find any in the west. Saw a few on Kijiji in Ontario. Company in BC was making something similar rated for 1200 pounds but I cant remember their name. My 15 footer is so useful I sold the 17 foot freighter to Cat last year. Not doing nearly as many trips now that the boys are out on their own.