Canoe/Hybrid for Deer Hunting Suggestions

[Gooden123]

I'm looking for a fairly light (while durable) and affordable canoe or hybrid for deer hunting. Mostly in lazy creeks but possibly tidal rivers with more current.

Previous threads have me leaning towards a Native Ultimate 12 @ 60#. Use that for a baseline. I'm wondering if there are some lighter options I should be considering?

Also, what did they change between the Ultimate and Ultimate FX? I see people mentioning improvements, but not 'what'. If it's fishing related then it's irrelevant. I'm only interested in used so that's why I ask.

I'm 6'1 150 lbs. It's rare to kill a buck over 170# where I hunt in South Jersey. Weight supercedes durability but I'm not interested I'm Kevlar which is out of my budget anyway (<$800).

Side note, I have little experience. I got an Alpacka Mule for an Alaska hunt and it really opened my eyes to other possibilities while practicing. But I'm going to destroy it plus packrafts don't like to go upstream

Thanks!

 

[Loper]

Are you looking to hunt from it or just using it to transport a deer once killed.

 

[Gooden123]

Are you looking to hunt from it or just using it to transport a deer once killed.

Both. I need it to traverse to hunting areas that there's no good way to access in or out of on foot

 

[Loper]

One the lightest is probably Water Feather, however it is out of your price range.

I had a Lifetime Weber 132 SOT kayak that was about 45 lbs I believe and it had a built in wheel on the bottom to facilitate transport when not on the water. It was low cost and I’m about your weight and would have been comfortable adding another 150 lbs on the kayak. Probably not ideal for what you are looking for, but it’s lighter and durable.

Another option is the Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman, but it may be out of your budget as well.

I can’t give you any insight on the Ultimate vs Ultimate FX.

Have you looked at the NuCanoe options?

 

[Gooden123]

One the lightest is probably Water Feather, however it is out of your price range.

I had a Lifetime Weber 132 SOT kayak that was about 45 lbs I believe and it had a built in wheel on the bottom to facilitate transport when not on the water. It was low cost and I’m about your weight and would have been comfortable adding another 150 lbs on the kayak. Probably not ideal for what you are looking for, but it’s lighter and durable.

Another option is the Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman, but it may be out of your budget as well.

I can’t give you any insight on the Ultimate vs Ultimate FX.

Have you looked at the NuCanoe options?

I'm trying to find a used Disco solo but there aren't any around me at the moment.

I briefly looked at NuCanoe but their 12 footer is 80 lbs. I'll definitely get an Ultimate 12 over that.

 

[yfarm]

Check fb in Newark
Mohawk Challenger 14 solo 59 lbs royalex

 

[Ron.C]

Another option is the Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman, but it may be out of your budget as well.

I have one of these. Use it for my waterfowling layout hunting local saltwater estuary areas where I have to cross a decent saltwater bay to get into. Besides me, I carry a blind, decoys, dog.

OP, Quarter your deer so you can distribute it's size/weight and you'll have no problem in an Oldtown Discovery 110 solo

 

[bwhntMT]

I'll tell you one to avoid, the Ascend H10 or H12. Had one I used for duck hunting. Pretty tippy, in my opinion.

 

[Gooden123]

I'll tell you one to avoid, the Ascend H10 or H12. Had one I used for duck hunting. Pretty tippy, in my opinion.

Yes I actually meant to add that to the post. Ones to avoid are just as important as ones to look for. I'm still leaning towards the Native 12. Seems like the Discovery 119 are pretty tippy too. For tall people or if you raise the seat at all. But depends on if I come across a deal. There's always a compromise with outdoor equipment especially with a budget. Thanks

 

[Kurts86]

A Nucanoe is what you are asking for and it’s the best plastic boat to carry weight.

Used Wenonah Kevlar canoes can occasionally be found close to $1k used. They tend to be light, fast and with a high weight capacity. Lots of these come from upper Midwest rental fleets.

I have a phoenix maxi poke boat that is under 30 lbs in Kevlar but they have been out of production for 15+ years. It’s better than anything on the market today but those boats would be $3k to $5k new today. Ours was $2500 in the late 90’s.

 

[Kurts86]

Also for what it’s worth you will run out of space (volume) in a kayak with a deer, a guy, a tree stand and a weapon before rated weight capacity if you weigh under 200 lbs. you really need the open top volume of a canoe or a sit on top kayak.

I’ve done exactly what you are describing with a 350 lb capacity 10’ 57# dicks sporting good special plastic kayak but you will end up quartering the deer or with no place for your feet to go on the paddle out.

Canoes will beat kayaks on weight capacity and volume by quite a bit at the same weight. The ascend DC14 would be an ok cheap option. Used and a better boat is your friend here. Today’s current plastic kayaks are worse than used composite boats from everything I’ve experienced.

 

[Gooden123]

Also for what it’s worth you will run out of space (volume) in a kayak with a deer, a guy, a tree stand and a weapon before rated weight capacity if you weigh under 200 lbs. you really need the open top volume of a canoe or a sit on top kayak.

I’ve done exactly what you are describing with a 350 lb capacity 10’ 57# dicks sporting good special plastic kayak but you will end up quartering the deer or with no place for your feet to go on the paddle out.

Canoes will beat kayaks on weight capacity and volume by quite a bit at the same weight. The ascend DC14 would be an ok cheap option. Used and a better boat is your friend here. Today’s current plastic kayaks are worse than used composite boats from everything I’ve experienced.

Yeah I don't think a kayak is an option either. What I meant by hybrid is boats like the Old Town Next or Native Ultimate FX. Still has the cargo space of a canoe but the stability and maneuverability of yak.

I almost had a pack canoe built by Adirondack Canoe Co a few years ago till I found out they're more of a flatwater boat and relatively fragile. I've seen my brothers destroy a (older) fiberglass canoe in one trip down the main creek I hunt. So Wenonah Wee Lassie, Hornbeck etc are out. Right now I've found:

*Old Town Next (not really a fan. Less be and a foot longer than the others listed. Seems more for flat water)

*Old Town Guide 119

*Old Town Discovery 119 (not sure there's a difference)

*Native Ultimate 12

*Various Radisson/Sportspal. These are the same boat just one made in the USA with thinner aircraft aluminum and the other in Canada with thicker aluminum. Foam everywhere to deaden sound but I suspect it will still be loud going over stumps and dragging on shore.

 

[Gooden123]

Oh...Nucanoes look great but they're 80#. I'll sacrifice other areas to save 20+ pounds.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Should look into the Saturn Kaboat options. $800ish is your lower 48 price. That’s for a new one. I can fly fish in one. I can pack a moose out in one.

 

[Gooden123]

Should look into the Saturn Kaboat options. $800ish is your lower 48 price. That’s for a new one. I can fly fish in one. I can pack a moose out in one.

Will do! I've been interested in Saturn, but for a near shore spearfishing boat. They seem to have pretty good reviews. Especially for the price point.

 

[huntcookwrite]

Will do! I've been interested in Saturn, but for a near shore spearfishing boat. They seem to have pretty good reviews. Especially for the

Should look into the Saturn Kaboat options. $800ish is your lower 48 price. That’s for a new one. I can fly fish in one. I can pack a moose out in one.

Logistically, how do these work? Are you deflating them and inflating them at your put-in for deer hunting or keeping them inflated and trailering them?

This seems like a good option for me for some fresh water access for deer season and then I can use it in the summer for — funnily enough Gooden123 — spearfishing, too. Especially with the sale they’ve got going on now for the 12”.

Just worried about transport when I’m limited on time and/or trying to be relatively discrete with parking…

 

[Jakeb]

A Ron Chapman pirogue might be what you are looking for.

 

[LongWayAround]

Oh...Nucanoes look great but they're 80#. I'll sacrifice other areas to save 20+ pounds.

The nucanoe is sweet but lightweight they are not.

What you gain with their weight is stability. I have a 12' frontier and the weight rating is like 600lb.

 

[Clovis]

I have written more or less the same thing in response to similar requests, but hard to beat a used royalex canoe from Mad River or Old Town for what you describe--cheaper, lighter, heavier payload, more comfortable and versatile than a rotomolded kayak or hybrid canoe. Watch craigslist and bargains seem to come up pretty regularly.

 

[N2TRKYS]

A Ron Chapman pirogue might be what you are looking for.

I’ve been using a Ron Chapman pirogue for nearly 3 decades. It started off as a duck only boat, but has turned in a turkey and deer getter over the years.