The right canoe is the one that matches how you will actually use it. Not the one that looks best in a photo, and not the longest one on principle. Before comparing models, take five minutes to answer four simple questions. They already rule out half the options.
1. Where will you paddle?
On a lake, at the cottage or with family: look for stability and space. A wider canoe with a flatter bottom forgives sudden moves from kids and the dog, and easily takes a cooler. The Wilderness 15' and the Tripper 16' are made for that.
On rivers or on trips of a few days: you need a canoe that stays manoeuvrable when loaded and tracks well across long lakes. That is Prospector territory, the classic tripping canoe. The Prospector line is built for exactly this: the Prospector 15', the Prospector 16' and the Prospector 17' are our reference expedition canoes.
For short, easy outings: if you mostly want to put the canoe on the roof and be on the water in ten minutes, a light recreational canoe will be your best friend. The Echo 14' weighs 52 lb in fibreglass and only 46 lb in Kevlar.
2. How many people on board, and with what?
Length is chosen mainly by load. As a rule of thumb:
- 14 to 15 feet: one person, or two for day trips with little gear.
- 16 feet: the most versatile size. Two paddlers with gear for a few days.
- 17 feet and up: two or three people with lots of gear, or long expeditions. The Prospector 17' carries 970 lb.
- Over 20 feet: big families and groups. The Two Rivers 21' takes 2 to 4 people with all their gear.
A longer canoe is also faster and tracks straighter. A shorter canoe turns more easily and is easier to store. There is no wrong choice, only a trade-off based on your outings.
3. Will you portage?
If you carry your canoe between lakes, or simply lift it onto the car alone, every pound counts. This is where the material makes all the difference. A Prospector 15' weighs 60 lb in fibreglass and 53 lb in Kevlar: seven pounds less on your shoulders, on every portage. To understand both options, read our guide Kevlar or fibreglass: which material to choose?
Think about the yoke too. A deep-dish ash portage yoke fits your neck and shoulders and makes long portages far more comfortable.
4. What about fishing?
If fishing is your main activity, look at the square-stern canoes of the Y-Stern series (Bushman, Woodsman, Makobe). They take a small outboard while remaining canoes you can paddle. To carry a lot of gear deep into the backcountry, the Albany 18' and Hudson Bay 21' freighters take more powerful motors. Our guide Square-stern fishing canoes compares all five models.
Summary: which canoe for whom?
- Family at the cottage: Wilderness 15' or Tripper 16'.
- Expeditions and rivers: Prospector 15', 16' or 17'.
- Light and practical for short outings: Echo 14' or Echo 16'.
- Large group: Two Rivers 21'.
- Fishing with a motor: Y-Stern series or freighters (boats from 14' to 21').
The best advice: try it
Nothing beats a few paddle strokes. Our canoes are sold by some thirty retailers and outfitters: find the retailer nearest you to see them in person. Still unsure? Our boat finder suggests three models based on your answers.
All our SCOTT canoes are handmade in Canada and covered by a 5-year limited warranty.