Sold the Kayak

[HeaveToo]

I sold the kayak this winter. I realized that my storage area was killing my back because of how hard it was to get out from under my deck on my townhouse.

I ended up with something a bit different. I was considering a solo skiff BUT I could only fish out of it. In my quest for a kayak replacement that would open up more water I came across Gheenoe.

long story short, I am prepping my 2006 Gheenoe NMZ for the coming season! Nice thing is I can take a passenger!

[J.A. Veil]

Congratulations on the new boat. My first boat (even before I owned a kayak) was a 13' Gheenoe with a 4 hp engine. I learned to crab with that boat. Later I owned a 23' center console from 2002 to 2007. That boat was great but was larger than I needed. When I sold it, I wanted a trailered boat that would fit in my garage. I bought a used 15'6" Gheenoe and added a 9.9 hp motor. I ran that for a year before upgrading to a 16' Scout center console. Gheenoes are lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to fish from (especially with the trolling motor). Gheenoes work well for sheltered waters (lakes, tidal rivers, etc). They are not intended for rough water or large wakes. Because of their size, Gheenoes are sensitive to weight distribution. When using the boat by myself, I found that by moving my weight forward or back a foot or two, the boat would plane more easily and ride better. I slid pieces of PVC pipe onto the outboard and trolling motor handles so I could still reach the engine when sitting farther away from it.

Good luck with the new boat.

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[HeaveToo]

I am well aware of the Gheenoe limitations. For big water I have a bayboat. I am looking at tidal creeks and backwaters. Mainly for snakehead but that isn’t to say I won’t venture into some protected areas to look for trout, rock, and pups!

[FishnFun]

Congratulations on the new boat. My first boat (even before I owned a kayak) was a 13' Gheenoe with a 4 hp engine. I learned to crab with that boat. Later I owned a 23' center console from 2002 to 2007. That boat was great but was larger than I needed. When I sold it, I wanted a trailered boat that would fit in my garage. I bought a used 15'6" Gheenoe and added a 9.9 hp motor. I ran that for a year before upgrading to a 16' Scout center console. Gheenoes are lightweight, maneuverable, and easy to fish from (especially with the trolling motor). Gheenoes work well for sheltered waters (lakes, tidal rivers, etc). They are not intended for rough water or large wakes. Because of their size, Gheenoes are sensitive to weight distribution. When using the boat by myself, I found that by moving my weight forward or back a foot or two, the boat would plane more easily and ride better. I slid pieces of PVC pipe onto the outboard and trolling motor handles so I could still reach the engine when sitting farther away from it.

Good luck with the new boat.

water3.jpg

So, you sold the Gheenoe after upgrading to the Scout? Then bought a kayak? I guess you prefer the versatility, lightweight, cartopping, etc. of the kayak. Sounds like you have better fishing capability/versatility with the Scout and kayak combo.

[J.A. Veil]

I have owned about a dozen different boats (including 2 Gheenoes), 2 canoes, and 8 kayaks over the past 30 years. When I bought a new boat, I sold the previous boat. My largest was a 23' Parker that I owned for 7 years. The boat was too heavy for me to tow, and I eventually downsized. My community homeowner's association does not allow parking of boats in the yard, so I looked for a boat that would fit in my garage. I bought a 15'6" Gheenoe and rigged it for fishing. The following year, 2008, I used the Gheenoe. It was fine for fishing in tidal rivers and sheltered bays, but did not allow me to get out into the main bay or travel longer distances. I sold the Gheenoe after one year and looked for the largest and most seaworthy boat that would fit in my garage. I bought a used Scout 162 Sportfish and rigged it with a trolling motor. I loved that boat and used it for 10 years along with various kayaks I owned during that time.

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In 2020, I realized that for various reasons I had had enough of boat ownership and decided to sell the Scout. I sold the Scout to a Snaggedline member. During much of the past decade, I had three types of watercraft to choose from, depending on how and where I wanted to fish that day: fishing boat, paddle kayak, and pedal-drive kayak. Since 2020, I have owned only paddle kayaks.

As many have noted on this forum, there is no perfect boat or kayak. They all have advantages and disadvantages. The Gheenoe fills a fishing and boating niche nicely at a modest cost. It offers more space and a greater range than nearly any kayak, including those with electric motors. I hope you enjoy your Gheenoe.