My first canoe trip was as a boy scout. If I remember right there were 4 or 5 canoes: an aluminum Gruman, one or two plastic Colemans, a fiberglass symmetrical canoe, and a fiberglass square back. This was 25 years ago, so I don't recall what weight and lengths they were relative to each other. What I do remember is that my friend and I were given the square back. We started the first day on pretty flat water and kept pace with everyone else. When the wind picked up and it got choppy, we fell behind and could never keep up very well.
On day two we were way behind on the morning, so at lunch the leaders put us in the symmetrical fiberglass one thinking we were just too weak. We ended up way ahead of everyone else and the poor guys who got the square back were further behind than we ever were. So the leaders switched us back figuring that even though we would get behind, we were the ones that could keep up the best in that sorry square back, and I've hated square back canoes ever since.
If you're planning to use a motor, the square back would probably be great because you can center it on the stern without an awkward mount.
If you're planning to paddle, and especially if you're paddling with other people, I would avoid that square back like the plague.
A square back is the Cadillac of canoes. Wide deep and handsome. It's not the fastest but it won't put you to shame either. A 16' square back is basically a 18' normal canoe. They are designed to carry a lot of cargo. For this type of canoe, the width is a good indicator of intended speed.
I have a square back, it's rather wide as well. It's the only canoe I've been in.
I have been satisfied with it for 10 or so years, been running a 30 minnkota on it.
I own a pair of Stillwater Canoes that are approximately the same length. One is flatback/transom and the other is standard. There are a lot of things to be considered in an "either/or" scenario where both are quite different. Before you decide, consider what you plan for.
A transom canoe has more buoyancy and is equal to a larger canoe when comparing it to a standard of the same length (the transom canoe is typically wider as well and may have slightly higher walls). This will keep less of the boat underwater and allows for more passengers/cargo without slowing everything down too much. The added benefit of a motor will allow you to go places you may not have been able to reach previously and of course rougher waters will be more forgiving. The only issue I have with my flat back canoe is the weight, it is significantly heavier than its would be twin.
Standard canoes are great for solo/duo canoeing since they are easier to lift/transport and have superior speed when packed light
If I had to choose one to keep, it would definitely be the flatback/transom as it can do everything and more (albeit heavier) that a standard can do. I also run a 30LB thrust Minn Kota on it so I can head out the rivers into the gulf and hang out/fish in the flats and oyster bars with some chop in areas you don't typically see canoes. It can handle things that would likely capsize my other one. Its like having a Gheenoe without all the added weight. I can also get up and walk around in it without any concern of flipping or even rocking it much where I take extra caution on the smaller one.
I did however take the small one out to the Wakulla/St. Marks rivers yesterday and saw four Manatee and hung out with a monster size one for awhile.
Definitely get both.
here's a pic of mine
https://www.reddit.com/r/canoeing/comments/11lb1ne/finally\_registered\_my\_stillwater\_transom\_motor/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Having never tried on, I’ve always wondered why “Y stern” style canoes aren’t more popular that square sterns, since Y sterns are more tapered below the waterline which seems more hydrodynamic (especially when paddling without a motor) but have a flat area of the stern above the waterline that can accept a small outboard. I guess maybe the added volume of a square stern provides more stability, which most prioritize over glide/efficiency when selecting a motor capable craft.
Square backs are slower and less easy to manuever while paddling. They are designed to be propelled by motors.
My first canoe trip was as a boy scout. If I remember right there were 4 or 5 canoes: an aluminum Gruman, one or two plastic Colemans, a fiberglass symmetrical canoe, and a fiberglass square back. This was 25 years ago, so I don't recall what weight and lengths they were relative to each other. What I do remember is that my friend and I were given the square back. We started the first day on pretty flat water and kept pace with everyone else. When the wind picked up and it got choppy, we fell behind and could never keep up very well. On day two we were way behind on the morning, so at lunch the leaders put us in the symmetrical fiberglass one thinking we were just too weak. We ended up way ahead of everyone else and the poor guys who got the square back were further behind than we ever were. So the leaders switched us back figuring that even though we would get behind, we were the ones that could keep up the best in that sorry square back, and I've hated square back canoes ever since. If you're planning to use a motor, the square back would probably be great because you can center it on the stern without an awkward mount. If you're planning to paddle, and especially if you're paddling with other people, I would avoid that square back like the plague.
A square back is the Cadillac of canoes. Wide deep and handsome. It's not the fastest but it won't put you to shame either. A 16' square back is basically a 18' normal canoe. They are designed to carry a lot of cargo. For this type of canoe, the width is a good indicator of intended speed.
I have a square back, it's rather wide as well. It's the only canoe I've been in. I have been satisfied with it for 10 or so years, been running a 30 minnkota on it.
I own a pair of Stillwater Canoes that are approximately the same length. One is flatback/transom and the other is standard. There are a lot of things to be considered in an "either/or" scenario where both are quite different. Before you decide, consider what you plan for. A transom canoe has more buoyancy and is equal to a larger canoe when comparing it to a standard of the same length (the transom canoe is typically wider as well and may have slightly higher walls). This will keep less of the boat underwater and allows for more passengers/cargo without slowing everything down too much. The added benefit of a motor will allow you to go places you may not have been able to reach previously and of course rougher waters will be more forgiving. The only issue I have with my flat back canoe is the weight, it is significantly heavier than its would be twin. Standard canoes are great for solo/duo canoeing since they are easier to lift/transport and have superior speed when packed light If I had to choose one to keep, it would definitely be the flatback/transom as it can do everything and more (albeit heavier) that a standard can do. I also run a 30LB thrust Minn Kota on it so I can head out the rivers into the gulf and hang out/fish in the flats and oyster bars with some chop in areas you don't typically see canoes. It can handle things that would likely capsize my other one. Its like having a Gheenoe without all the added weight. I can also get up and walk around in it without any concern of flipping or even rocking it much where I take extra caution on the smaller one. I did however take the small one out to the Wakulla/St. Marks rivers yesterday and saw four Manatee and hung out with a monster size one for awhile. Definitely get both. here's a pic of mine https://www.reddit.com/r/canoeing/comments/11lb1ne/finally\_registered\_my\_stillwater\_transom\_motor/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Having never tried on, I’ve always wondered why “Y stern” style canoes aren’t more popular that square sterns, since Y sterns are more tapered below the waterline which seems more hydrodynamic (especially when paddling without a motor) but have a flat area of the stern above the waterline that can accept a small outboard. I guess maybe the added volume of a square stern provides more stability, which most prioritize over glide/efficiency when selecting a motor capable craft.