Updated December 6, 2022
Getting out on the water in a canoe can be a great way to relax or get a little excitement. There are many different styles and activities possible and when you decide to make a move and purchase one you’ll need to decide what your goal is and what type of paddling is most suitable for you, whether it be touring a lake, cruising downriver, fishing, hunting, or something else from your imagination.
There are many great canoes on the market with a variety of features to understand. Below ten models in a range of price points for a variety of styles are presented for your consideration. Each model has a description with key features and a photo. Some also have a video, as well. Afterward, there is a comparison table followed by a brief buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know in the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For some other reviews of kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these posts:
Marine VHF Radios / Kayak Trolling Motors / Small Outboard Motors / Kayak Fish Finders / Marine GPS / Marine Binoculars / Touring Kayaks / Tandem Kayaks / Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners / Lake Kayaks / Ocean Kayaks / Fishing Kayaks / Beginner Kayaks / Recreational Kayaks / Inflatable Kayaks / Inflatable Boats
Best Canoes of 2023
- Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS
- Sea Eagle TC16 Inflatable
- Old Town Discovery 169
- Lifetime Kodiak
- Sevylor Ogden
- Old Town Saranac 160
- Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman
- Old Modern Handicrafts Real Canoe
- Old Town Next
- Sun Dolphin Scout SS
The Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS is set up well for 1-3 paddlers.
It is stable and outfitted for fishing with rod holders and transom-ready for a trolling motor.
A cooler and dry-storage compartment provides the space for food and baggage for a day of recreation with the family or fishing buddies.
- Weight capacity of 800 pounds
- 3 seats
- High-density polyethylene construction
- Beverage, paddle, and fishing rod holders
- Square-back transom suitable for 2HP electric trolling motors
- Cooler under the center seat
- Dry-storage compartment
- 2-year warranty on hull and parts
- Type: solid
- Length: 15 feet 6 inches, Width: 42 inches
- Height: 18.5 inches
- Weight: 104 pounds
- Price: $$$
The Sea Eagle TC16 combines the low weight and portability of an inflatable with the performance of a real whitewater canoe.
Durable 1000 Denier PVC construction with 3 air chambers for safety and comfortable inflatable seating for two make it great for a day of flatwater touring that can take on intermediate rapids, as well.
- Weight capacity of 845 pounds
- 2 seats with 3 seat positions
- 1000 Denier PVC with overlapping seams
- 3 air chambers
- Bow and stern molds
- Bow, stern, and center carry handles
- Comfortable inflatable seats
- Non-skid foot pads
- 7-9 minute inflation time
- Hand pump and carry bag included
- Handles class IV rapids
- Type: Inflatable
- Length: 16 feet, Width: 38 inches
- Height: 15 inches
- Weight: 61 pounds
- Price: $$$$
The Old Town Discovery 169 has high capacity, plenty of length, and loads of space for a weekend of recreation or fishing.
The quality crafted and durable hull has a 2-year warranty and an agile, efficient design that will provide years of excellent long-distance paddling.
- Weight capacity of 1,400 pounds
- 3-layer polyethylene construction
- 2 nylon-webbed seats
- Wooden yoke thwart (carry yoke) for carrying on the shoulder
- Carry handles
- Substantial space for storage
- Lifetime warranty on the hull
- Type: solid
- Length: 16 feet 9 inches, Width: 37 inches
- Height: 23 inches
- Weight: 91 pounds
- Price: $$$
The Lifetime Kodiak is a moderately-priced impact-resistant durable model of blow-molded polyethylene construction.
With 3 paddlers onboard there is not a lot of space but it has a stable flat-bottomed hull, 2 comfortable seatbacks, and is equipped with cup and rod holders, and ditty trays for fishing.
It will handle an electric motor and with a sharp bow and skeg-wheel, it is speedy and tracks well moving downstream.
- Weight capacity of 600 pounds
- High-density polyethylene blow-molded construction
- 3 molded seats, 2 with adjustable seatbacks
- Cup holders, rod holders, ditty trays
- 2 carry handles
- Wide flat bottom
- Tracking skeg-wheel
- Suitable for an electric motor
- 2 paddles included
- 5-year limited warranty on the hull
- Type: solid
- Length: 13 feet, Width: 39 inches
- Height: 18.5 inches
- Weight: 96 pounds
- Price: $$
The Sevylor Ogden 2-Person Canoe is a great budget-priced inflatable model for folks with limited storage and transport options who want to do some occasional recreational paddling.
It is a lightweight inflatable model with durable PVC construction and multiple chambers for backup in the unlikely occurrence of a puncture or leakage.
There is comfortable seating, bungee storage, and a package that includes a pump, pressure gauge, carry bag, two paddles, and a 1-year limited warranty.
- Weight capacity of 355 pounds
- 2 adjustable elevated seats with seatbacks
- Heavy-duty PVC construction with a polyester cover
- Multiple air chambers
- Bungee storage front and back
- Package includes a hand pump, pressure gauge, carry bag, and 2 paddles
- Bow and stern carry handles
- Double-threaded Boston valves for easy inflation/deflation
- 1-year limited warranty
- Type: Inflatable
- Length: 10 feet 3 inches, Width: 33 inches
- Weight: 26.9 pounds
- Price: $
The Old Town Saranac 160 is a comfortable stable entry-level 16-foot recreational canoe suitable for 2-3 paddlers.
With rod holders, center bench seat storage, and ample deck space fore and aft, it serves well for touring or a day of fishing.
- Weight capacity of 850 pounds
- Thermoformed polyethylene construction
- 3 padded contoured seats, 2 with adjustable backrests
- Low seats and flat bottom for stability
- Molded-in carry handles front and back
- Dry storage compartment under the center bench seat
- Molded-in rod, paddle, and cup holders
- Type: solid
- Length: 16 feet, Width: 37 inches
- Bow Height: 18 inches
- Weight: 89 pounds
- Price: $$
Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman
The Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman is an all-purpose, lightweight, grab-and-go canoe set up for hunters and fishermen with ample space for storage behind the seat and various holders for rods, shells, a cup, and an accessory track.
A sort of hybrid with a low profile, padded kayak-style contoured seat, and adjustable foot braces, it has the simplicity of a classic canoe combined with the maneuverability and handling of a kayak.
- Weight capacity of 354 pounds
- 3-layer polyethylene construction
- Padded kayak-style contoured seat with adjustable backrest and padded armrests
- Adjustable foot braces
- Suitable for single and double-bladed paddles
- Rod holder, shotgun shell holder, and cup holder
- Accessory track
- Molded-in carry handles front and back
- Type: solid
- Length: 11 feet 9 inches, Width: 32.5 inches
- Bow Height: 12.5 inches
- Weight: 56 pounds
- Price: $$
Old Modern Handicrafts Real Canoe
The name of this canoe, Old Modern Handicrafts Real Canoe, pretty well describes it. It is truly a well-crafted work of art in the style of classic canoes.
Made of red cedar and fiberglass, at 18 feet it is still lightweight and a durable vessel able to withstand bumps and scrapes.
It is pricy but will draw envious gazes when you and a partner go paddling across a lake or in a mild current.
- Red cedar and fiberglass construction
- 2 seats
- Wooden yoke thwart (carry yoke) for carrying on the shoulder
- Substantial space for storage
- A highly crafted work of art
- Expensive
- Type: solid
- Length: 18 feet, Width: 35.5 inches
- Height: 27 inches
- Weight: 63.8 pounds
- Price: $$$$$
View More From Old Modern Handicrafts
The Old Town Next is another low-profile hybrid model with the capacity and openness of a canoe and the maneuverability of a kayak.
The comfortable removable seating system slides on a track allowing substantial space behind it for baggage or a child or pet or can be removed for paddling from your knees.
With the seat in place, adjustable padded footrests add leveraged control.
- Weight capacity of 450 pounds
- 3-layer polyethylene construction
- Removable mesh suspension seating system for personalized comfortable placement
- The seat slides to increase the rear storage capacity
- Adjustable padded foot braces
- Suitable for single and double-bladed paddles
- Molded-in carry handles front and back
- Type: solid
- Length: 13 feet, Width: 29 inches
- Bow Height: 17 inches
- Weight: 59 pounds
- Price: $$$
A little bit smaller and more simply outfitted than the Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS canoe at the top, the Scout SS is well set up for fishing with a built-in square back transom and numerous rod holders.
It maneuvers and steers like a regular canoe and has the capacity and comfortable molded seating for 3 paddlers
- Weight capacity of 765 pounds
- 3 comfortable molded-in seats
- High-density polyethylene construction
- 6 built-in fishing rod holders
- Square-back transom suitable for 2HP electric trolling motors
- 2-year warranty on hull and parts
- Type: solid
- Length: 14 feet, Width: 38 inches
- Height: 15.6 inches
- Weight: 84 pounds
- Price: $$
Best Canoes Comparison Table
| Picture | Canoe | Type | Length | # of Persons | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Sun Dolphin Mackinaw SS | Solid | 15 feet 6 inches | 3 | 104 pounds | $$$ |
  | Sea Eagle TC16 Inflatable | Inflatable | 16 feet | 3 | 61 pounds | $$$$ |
  | Old Town Discovery 169 | Solid | 16 feet 9 inches | 2 | 91 pounds | $$$ |
  | Lifetime Kodiak | Solid | 13 feet | 3 | 96 pounds | $$ |
  | Sevylor Ogden | Inflatable | 12 feet 4 inches | 2 | 26.9 pounds | $ |
  | Old Town Saranac 160 | Solid | 12 feet 2 inches | 2-3 | 89 pounds | $$ |
  | Old Town Discovery 119 Solo Sportsman | Solid | 11 feet 9 inches | 1 | 57 pounds | $$ |
  | Old Modern Handicrafts Real Canoe | Solid | 18 feet | 2 | 63.8 pounds | $$$$$ |
  | Old Town Next | Solid | 13 feet | 1 | 59 pounds | $$$ |
  | Sun Dolphin Scout SS | Solid | 14 feet | 1 | 84 pounds | $$ |
| Picture | Canoe | Type | Length | # of Persons | Weight | Price |
Canoe Buying Guide
Capacity
Canoes are rated with a weight capacity and set up for a certain range of paddlers and passengers. Make sure the total weight of people, baggage, and gear doesn’t exceed the capacity. Seating is available generally from 1 to 3. If you are paddling solo, check that the canoe is configured for that possibility. You wouldn’t want it to be too large to handle. Some canoes have space aside from the seating where it is possible to carry an additional adult, child, or even a pet. Take all of this into account in choosing the canoe that can safely carry the people and load you envision.
Weight
Weight is a consideration, especially in the transport of your canoe. Inflatable models are much lighter than solid ones and pack into a relatively small bag that can be placed inside your vehicle rather than on top or on a trailer. How easy it is to move it from the vehicle to water and portages thereafter depends on the weight and the number of paddlers to carry it.
Inflatable vs. Solid
As indicated above, inflatable canoes have the major advantage of being lightweight. Despite what you might initially think, this doesn’t mean you will sacrifice durability and safety by going with a quality inflatable. They are normally of high-quality puncture-resistant materials and have numerous air chambers so that if there is leakage you will have intact chambers that will keep you afloat until you can get to shore. Solid models of plastic, aluminum, wood, and fiberglass will all be durable and heavier.
Length and Shape
Flat-bottom canoes are more stable which is great for fishing or hunting and when you’ve got kids or pets onboard. If you will be using the canoe as a platform for swimming, it will have stability for getting on and off from the water.
Round-bottom canoes will be speedier and longer models will accelerate more quickly and have the momentum to maintain speed.
The length of a solid canoe will impact transport. If it is too long to put on top of your vehicle, you will have to organize some sort of trailer or other means.
Some Canoe Features
Seating – Canoes offer several seating options. Classic style canoes often have simple bench-like slats you can sit on or between paddling from your knees. Paddlers often prefer contoured seating with a backrest and padding. Many seats can be placed in different positions and are adjustable.
Storage – The amount and types of storage options to look for depend on your purpose. How much storage do you need? How long will you be out? Cup holders, paddle holders, and fishing rod holders provide ergonomic storage. Do you need water-resistant storage, a built-in cooler, or space for a tent and a backpack? Examine your needs and select the canoe that serves you best.
Foot Braces – These are footrests, much like those in kayaks, where you can place your feet while paddling. They allow you to brace your lower body to leverage your paddling power. They are often adjustable to fit different-sized people and may be padded for comfort.
Keel – This is located at the center of the bottom of the hull of the canoe. It is a sort of beam or protruding ridge that runs all along from the bow to the stern (front to the back). It serves to help keep the canoe on track preventing it from sliding sideways.
Yoke Thwart – This is a bar that goes across the canoe forming a brace. Usually placed between paddlers, on solo models, the paddler can often sit on top of it. It is often curved with a formation that fits more comfortably over the shoulders for carrying the canoe.
Check out this article for a more in-depth presentation of buying considerations.
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