Bayou 160

The Coleman Scanoe is a wide plastic boat that has plenty of stability but gives up any pretense of moving well through the water. And it is NOT quiet if you use a gas motor. An electric trolling motor will work in calm conditions, if you don't have wind, or much weight in the boat, and you don't go more than a mile, even with a large (car sized) deep cycle battery. This boat was NOT designed to be paddled, unless for very short distances or an emergency. If you try to paddle, you will be worn out by the time you go several hundred feet. I have a fairly new 3.5 HP and with the tub-like shape of the Scanoe, you still move at a very slow pace. And as for noise, the metal framework of the boat creates a resonance that can vibrate the fillings out of your teeth and deafen you for several hours after using the boat. I would recommend a 5HP motor minimum, and a good set of earplugs. You will also need a companion to sit in the front (or equivalent weight) or the bow will rise to 45 degrees or greater when under power and steering safely will be impossible. The low sides of the boat make it unsuitable for any large lakes, the ocean, or windy conditions, as even small waves threaten to swamp the boat at times. On a positive note, there is plenty of room for camping gear, and cargo is easy to load. The Ram-x (plastic) is strong and durable. This boat was replaced several years ago by Scanoe DLX model, which gave up the aluminum framework in favor of integrated plastic ribbing. This created a boat of the same dimensions and shape, but quieter and better looking. Then, Coleman sold the rights to their boat designs to the Pelican company, and it has been sold as the Pelican Bayou 160 for the past few years. However, it appears to be taken of the market due to consistent quality problems, especially with the seats cracking and the plastic hull wearing out prematurely. Other flat back canoes to consider instead could include: Old Town "Discovery" square stern, Esquif "Rangely", North Woods "Wascana", Great Canadian "Cape Cod Bay" or one of Scott Canoes freighter/cargo canoes. If you don't mind Aluminum canoes, Grumman and Osagian make a number of good flat-back canoes that can be found cheap on craigslist and other places.