New to canoeing, but not new to the water.

[turtlefoot]

Hi All,

I have been an avid kayaker for nearly ten years, but have not done hardly any canoeing. While talking to a family member, he mentioned that he had an old canoe and wondered if I would like to have it since I like the rivers and lakes.

I jumped at the chance for a “new” boat and a new experience in floating and fishing.

I have some questions:

This is an old aluminum canoe (17ft and 20+ years old). I know it is not the lightest and is not made for hard rapids, but will it be okay for class II rivers? It is solid and built like a tank.

Does anyone know just how deep the water needs to be to keep from dragging? I am a pretty big guy that weighs around 250#. Add my kid, camping gear, etc. and you are looking another 100#. I don’t mind dragging here and there, but I have heard horror stories of people having to drag their overweight canoe 6-8 miles in some of the shallow Missouri streams and rivers.

Thanks in advance for your time and answers.

Doug

[Author]

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