I bought my interior aluminum-tube framed Scanoe in 1983 from Evans Jewelers & Distributors (!) for $205, probably at cost because they weren't selling well. It's extremely durable, stable and relatively roomy for a canoe-type vessel. It can be paddled in a pinch or when floating downstream. With a transom mounted Minn Kota 35 lb thrust motor, it clips along over our local reservoir as quickly as those sparkly bass boats with the big electric motors & golf cart batteries.
To keep the bow of your Scanoe down in the water and increase its stability, a deep cycle battery placed just behind the bow seat is perfect. I installed 4 ga. wire from a connection box under the stern seat, where the motor's alligator clamps attach, and the wires terminate at the bow seat at a set of battery clamps. I'm on my 4th battery and I've run this rig all day on the Chesapeake's tidal rivers, in the Bay proper, the upper Potomac and our local fresh water reservoirs. I also have used a 5hp 1967 Evinrude outboard (Fisherman - no gears, 2-cycle, very light) and the Scanoe clips along steadily but it will never "get up on plane" - don't expect speed out of this thing. Just remember that this boat gets more steady by increasing the load along its length - too much weight in the stern will allow it to roll over!
To move a Scanoe over short distances, install a 36" 2x4 across the stern with 8" wheels lag-bolted to the ends (use fender washers and don't tighten bolts - the wheels have to turn freely). Run two 5" carriage bolts through the 2x4 to matching holes in the transom. Turn the boat over, lift the stern, slip the carriage bolts into the transom holes and drop the boat onto the wheeled 2x4. Now you lift the bow and wheel the boat to the water or around the yard without lifting it & killing yourself. Drill holes through the carriage bolt shafts for spring clips to keep the 2x4 from coming loose from the transom. Pull out the spring clips at the water and toss the dolly in the truck for later.
Store this, and any, plastic boat out of the sun! UV rays will cause cracking in the Polyethylene hull. If your boat does develop cracks, another post here has a link to bulls-eye-trading, good folks who sell the only patch kit I could find on the Web. It works! Best of luck and please be careful!
I last reviewed my Scanoe in 2001 on this site. Two kids, three trucks, two cars, two dogs, 4 more bedrooms and three states later...I still love this boat.
I had a 5hp Briggs & Stratton on it for a few years, but found it to be overkill. I now use a Minn Kota Endura 50 (36" shaft). Still overkill, but I can go up moderately swift rivers very quietly and then drift back to the launch site. I still have the old Minn Kota that I used to use.
This old Scanoe takes a beating and comes back for more. I've heard it called the tugboat, green pig, creature, ... but I would take it over most other boats to get to the fish. I often flyfish for trout and find that I can drift over a hole, see the fish and the boat does not spook them. It must look like a non-threatening log. What spooks them is the shadow of my rod. I have had dozens of catches on flies dangling in the water beside the boat.
I'll admit, paddling all day could be a chore, but with a small motor it is the perfect shallow river boat that glides over most rocks when my friends in more rigid boats get stuck. Versatility, stealth, ruggedness, etc. it is a 10/10. For pretty boys paddling around, it might not be the boat for you.
I bought my Scanoe 2 years ago after a lot of research and reviews including the ones posted here. I paid $475 for it brand new. I've had a lot of boats in the past and I have to give this one a 10 for versatility. I've read a number of comments about how heavy it is, true it is heavy. I have bought a canoe cart ($ 80.) and I also have a small utility trailer that I easily converted to carry my Scanoe and I can still use my trailer to haul whatever when my boat is not in it. I like to pan fish and now have my boat decked out for fishing.
I have an electric 40lb thrust trolling motor in the back with the battery mounted in the front, anchormates forward and aft. I put 4 eyebolts in for the anchor rope so I can control both anchors from the back. I have mounted in the back on the rear tubular handle my Lowrance XR 51 fishfinder and my GPS unit. The rear seat came with rod holders that I just replaced with rod holders set up for trolling. Something else I found this summer that worked great was buying a couple of these cheap folding nylon seats that come in a storage back form Walmart for about $5. The type you use for picnics etc. These work great and are very comfortable, I can set one up in the back turned facing the back and sit in this with my feet up on the bench seat while I am trolling…awesome! Something else I found is steering it with a paddle while using the motor worked very well and limited my need to put my arm behind my back.
The idea of launching this boat into areas that do not have boat ramps is great not to mention not waiting to launch when a bass fishing club overwhelmed the boat launch. This boat is well worth the money when you compare it to other square back canoes.
I am looking forward to a lot years of fishing and enjoyment from this boat at a price that’s affordable.