I've seen them around, they look cool and it seems like everyone recommends them over other motor canoes. I've never been in one. What do you like about them? How do they stack up to other canoes like the Grumman Freighter? What are the pluses and minuses? I've searched the web but I'm not finding what I'm looking for. What is an appropriate sized motor for it without being ridiculous.

its more a boat than canoe. @ 15' SBs wider and shorter than 17/19' (flatback) canoes. The big differences I'd say from use is Sport boats are not able to portage overhead like other canoes and don't paddle easily with canoe paddles as too wide, most have oar locks. I would much prefer to trip/fish out of a SB than flatback canoe if using a motor and not also paddling/not using the motor, but then a 14/16' boat is better yet. I use 4, 6 and 8 HP motors. Flatbacks are better if your motoring somewhere and then removing the motor to paddle too. Did you buy one?

I had one with a six horse motor. It worked well in the backwaters of the Mississippi river. It didn't plane well and was a bit unstable. I would not own another one because it was a bit tippy. I liked the Grumman quality though. If I was to buy another small motored boat I would get a Lund 14 or 16 ft. Good day to you! Marc

Hi Mike,

I own two. Thinking of selling one. Mine are both older models without the extra floatation along the sides which I prefer. They are 15' 4" long, 40" wide at the center, three seats, wide flat back, lots of rocker, and weigh 112 pounds. I think the newer models are 120 pounds. I run 6hp Johnson motors.

This used to be my go to Canada fishing boat before I started buying canoes. We used them to fish smaller lakes and did portage with them some. It's a two man boat to portage obviously.

Now I use them for river float trips as loaners for friends that do not have boats. They work great for a family with small kids and a dog as an alternative to a canoe for river trips. I would not paddle or oar this boat around on a lake. They turn on a dime because of the rocker, but paddle like a bathtub for obvious reasons.

Email me if you would like more info.

I committed to buying one after seeing a picture of it and talking to the owner over the phone. I did some research but couldn't find much on them other than everyone seems to love them. They sure are hard to find and they sell so quick. I did send a family friend over to see it and it's in excellent condition. He bought it for me and I'll be picking it up this weekend.

I've never been in a sport boat or a 19 foot square stern. It was going to be one or the other. I pulled the trigger on this one based off recommendations I've read. This sport boat is just a novelty to me and it's such an odd craft, more like a hybrid that I don't really know what to expect out of it. I've seen these used in Basswood as well as 19' Grumman Canoes. They seem to handle great and the guys I've seen up there have had them loaded to the gills. I understand they take a heavier load than what they are rated and I guess a 5-7 hp motor seems to be more than adequate?

The only motorized boat I've owned was an old 1955 14' alumacraft. I had a brand new 20hp Merc on that one and it was fast as lightning. It had a flat bottom and looked similar to the sport boat and had a flat top over the nose. It used to have a steering wheel on it and a windscreen. So I've got limited experience especially when it comes to square stern canoes.

I run a 6hp on mine and a 4 is adequate. Some use even bigger hp. They don't really jump up on plane like a boat. The width is nice compared to a freighter imo. Get some oars for backup.

I had one for years. They are a true boat/canoe hybrid. You get the inability to paddle it from the boat, and the instability from the canoe.

Mike

Here she is...

Can you believe this one was made in 1986?

Does anyone have the exact specs from this year? I know generally what these were rated for but the hull sticker is badly faded and I can't read it.

Looks to be in excellent shape! Have fun and be careful! Marc