Square-stern fishing canoes: Y-Stern or Freighter?
A square-stern fishing canoe is the best of both worlds: the lightness and quiet of a canoe, with a small outboard to cover the lake without effort. At abitibi&co, we build two families of them. Here is how to choose.
Why a square stern?
A traditional canoe is pointed at both ends. To mount a motor, you need a side bracket, which is often unstable. Our fishing canoes instead have a reinforced square stern (the transom) designed to take a gas or electric motor directly. The result: the motor sits on the centreline, the canoe runs straight, and you can still paddle when you don't need the motor.
Two families, two uses
Y-Stern series: the canoe that takes a motor
The Bushman, Woodsman and Makobe keep the lines of a canoe. They paddle well, load onto a light trailer or even a roof for the smaller ones, and take a 4 to 6 HP motor. The right choice for fishing at the cottage, small lakes and rivers where you switch between paddle and motor.
Freighter series: the backcountry workhorse
The Albany and Hudson Bay are wider, deeper and much tougher. They take motors from 9.9 to 20 HP and carry up to 2,000 lb. They are the tool of outfitters, remote camps, hunters and anglers who head out for days with all their gear. The Albany 18' has three reinforced aluminium keels and a moulded stem.
The five models at a glance
| Model | Length | Width | Weight | Capacity | Max motor | People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushman | 14 ft 2 in | 36 in | 85 lb | 915 lb | 4 HP | 1 to 3 |
| Woodsman | 15 ft | 36 in | 90 lb | 830 lb | 4 HP | 1 to 2 |
| Makobe | 16 ft | 42 in | 115 lb | 1,145 lb | 6 HP | 2 |
| Albany | 18 ft 5 in | 50 in | 195 lb | 1,555 lb | 9.9 HP | 1 to 3 |
| Hudson Bay | 21 ft | 56 in | 300 lb | 2,000 lb | 20 HP | 2 to 4 |
Horsepower shown is the Canadian Coast Guard recommendation. Weights are for the fibreglass version.
Which one to choose?
- You fish alone or as a pair on small lakes: the Bushman 14' or the Woodsman 15'. The slimmer Woodsman glides better under paddle.
- You head out with family, the cooler and hunting gear: the Makobe 16', the most stable and spacious of the Y-Stern series.
- You haul a lot of gear to a camp or outfitter: the Albany 18'.
- You go as a group, on big water, for several days: the Hudson Bay 21'.
Options that change everything
The protective coating reinforces the hull where it rubs the most, ideal if you often land on rocks. On the Albany, the fishing package turns the boat into a true fishing platform. The Hudson Bay can be ordered with a short (16 in) or long (20 in) motor shaft.
Where to see and buy them
Our SCOTT fishing boats are handmade in Canada and covered by a 5-year limited warranty. They are sold through our authorized retailers: configure your model online to get a reference quote, then finalize your order with the retailer in your area.