I LOVE IT!! New-to-Me Old Town Saranac 160

[@55whiplash]

On my old Bell 16 foot boat I mounted a solo seat closer to the middle and it worked great for solo. It's an asymmetrical design so it wasn't designed to paddle from the front "backwards", Nice video!

[@SouthernPaddler]

That's cool! I've only had 2 canoes and never thought much about the symmetry...probably because they have been mostly symmetrical. 😅 I had to look up Bell Canoes- that's pretty awesome!! Thanks, bro!! 👍

[@TheGoldenAgeofHardRock]

Great video, I'm going to pull the trigger on one of these 160's for sure, thanks for posting this video!

[@SouthernPaddler]

I've easily put 50 miles on this boat now and STILL love it!! I think you will, too! Thank you!!

[@JonLMcNair]

700 Big Dan! Way to go. On the way to 700 million! 👍🏽

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ha ha!! Thanks, Jon!! 😁

[@natanpierce495]

Awesome video, great scenery. Thanks for sharing. I love mine too.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you very much! They are great boats, for sure!!

[@MySUPRunnethOver]

Enjoyed as always. 👍🏾 Yeah I am ready for the fall colors to settle in more but not looking forward to the colder temps that follow. Very pleasant views in this one and glad you’re happy with your new boat. 😊

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Lashonda! I love the fall colors and I somewhat like the cooler temps, but I'm glad our winters aren't any longer!! :-D

[@alabamafloats]

Great new way to experience the water!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Absolutely!! Thanks, Kid!!

[@Rsdillon17]

Love the new boat! That spot looks fantastic! Might have to tag along next time 😁

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Sam! Yes, you definitely need to come paddle Cotaco Creek! It's beautiful!!

[@GlennaRedcliffe]

Very nice canoe! 🛶

[@SouthernPaddler]

It's been so much fun!! Glad I got it!!

[@Jonathansanchez-sf6cl]

Great vidoe brother. What length kayak paddles are those you are using? What length would you recommend?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hey- thanks so much, Jonathan!! I use another kayak paddle now, but they're both around 250cm (fairly long). I find that in a canoe a longer kayak paddle is best as canoes are wider and you're a little higher off the water, but I like them in my kayaks, too. The boat width and the sitting height off of the water as well as a paddler's height all factor in to which paddle is best (I'm 6'0"). Paddling style factors in, too. I tend to paddle "flat" while better form is actually holding the paddle more vertical (closer to the boat). And they type of paddling you want to do matters too and I'm mostly water like in this video. Hope that helps!

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that is a nice canoe. Was this place closing down for good or they just closing down for the winter. That is a nice upgrade from a 14ft to a 16ft. You definitely can haul all your camping gear with this. It's a good thing you bundle up for the cold weather. You want to be ready for when a surprise come! You don't want to end up in that cold water for sure. I want to try to take all of my kids ( including Paul that is ) kayaking on more time before it gets really cold. Paul really wants to get back on the water cuz he really enjoy kayaking. His real parents never took him kayaking before so I'm happy that I took him out and got that experience. Hope you have a good weekend buddy.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Mack! They were closing for good so they could spend time with their grandkids.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@SouthernPaddler oh man that sucks closing the business for good. But I do understand they want to spend their time with their families. The trucking 🚛 industry is the same way I miss out on a lot of family activities. & when I'm there it feels like a special time to the family so I truly understand. & my new son paul he hates it when I'm gone all week long. He wants to talk to me every night before he goes to bed. I am very close with my five boys & getting to be very close with paul is awesome. I treat him just like the rest of my boys. I'm happy to say I am a proud dad of six son.

[@Jim-vi4hh]

Thanks for sharing the video. How do you solo carry this canoe without the yoke?

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you very much! I don't solo carry it. I only take it places where I can load/unload directly from my truck to the water (and don't have to portage). I have a dolly that I use to move it around my yard at home. I carry it in the bed of my pickup with the tailgate down and using a bed extender, so I don't ever have to lift it too high.

[@allans7281]

Love the video there’s something magical about cruising down a River in a beautiful canoe! Is there a big difference between the 146 and yours? How is the boat on any type of current or Rapids? Thx !

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you, Allan!! It certainly was magical!! Mine is a 16 foot, so a little longer (and heavier) than the 14.5 ft. I just finished 126 miles on the Buffalo National river with this boat and it handled the waves/rapids with no issues whatsoever. I had to stay a head of the current in turns or negotiating obstacles, especially being loaded with a week's worth of gear, but overall it handled great and I had zero issues with it! I'd do it again tomorrow in the same boat!!

[@allans7281]

@@SouthernPaddler Thank you very much for your detailed reply. I just bought my 14 .5 today and I’m so thrilled. Internet doesn’t lie- the seats are very comfortable and it feels great just sitting in it with a kayak paddle. But I’ll be putting my trolling motor on to glide through the water. I’m taking mine to Lake Tahoe next month and ending up in Emerald Bay for a little camping trip😎happy adventures mate! Allan

[@SouthernPaddler]

@@allans7281 That sounds amazing! Hope you can post some vids! It is a great boat!! 👍

[@allans7281]

@@SouthernPaddler will do! Ill let you know.

[@andrewmcmullen9883]

I have actually been looking at that exact boat. Obviously they make a smaller Saranac 146 as well. Both are advertised as 2 adults and a child on the middle bench. Believe it or not, it’s very hard to find a well constructed canoe that lightweight that can fit my family. We have 2 small kids, ages 5 and 7. Do you think we could fit the kids on the middle section? As they are just kids, 2-3 hour trips aren’t going to happen. Kids that young have a memory span of 30-60 minutes! What are your thoughts? Do you think we could fit our family of 4 on this canoe? It checks every darn box but squeezing two little hiney’s on that bench would solve all are problems! Would love your thoughts! Thanks, Andy.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hmm- I'm not sure about the 146, but I just measured the middle bench on my 160 and it was 27" across. That would be tight. For kids that young you might could also just put a little stool or something for them to sit on. Just glue some rubber or foam to the feet so it doesn't slide too much. Heck, they'd probably juut enjoy sitting on the bottom and hanging their hands off in the water. :-) Dan

[@joshck93]

Knew you would love a big boat. Sitting in the back will be fine when you put all your camping gear in the front.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Josh! I do love it!! And you're also right about the gear- I had enough gear for a cookout yesterday (chairs, grill , cooler) and it was PERFECT!!!

[@karlo8093]

Hi! Quick question, I have the same boat. Really love mine, but am just using traditional style paddles. Is that just a normal kayak paddle you are using, or one made for canoes? Enjoyed your video.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hey Karl- that's awesome...and thank you very much! I was in my this weekend- I still love it!! Yes, that's normal kayak paddle I use, but you'll definitely want a longer kayak paddle as canoes are a little wider and higher off the water. I always have a traditional paddle, but the kayak paddle can't be beat for speed/distance if you need to make some miles.

[@kipper122670]

Been wanting a canoe for my german shephard and me. Think you may have sold me on one. I hate leaving her at home while I kayak.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Awesome!! I really have enjoyed it the last couple of weeks! If you get one like mine that doesn't have the thwarts or supports, they call it pet friendly because they can move around easier.

[@allans7281]

I use my 14.5 for my German shepherd as well!! she loves the water! I have to make sure she doesn’t jump in