Spring Creek Stabilizer Review

[@Eye-Scream-Cake]

I purchased these stabilizers, and they are worth the money in my opinion. Great quality and I can stand in my canoe while fishing without any issues. I even rocked it back and forth and it didn't even come close to tipping over. These should last me a lifetime with common sense care. Thanks for the video it helped me feel comfortable in purchasing the stabilizers and I do not regret it.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Thanks for sharing. Great feedback!

[@airbusdriver7557]

I’ve owned these stabilizers for over a year and used on many trips. They are a game changer. I love them.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

REALLY? We're in a small, elite group my friend!

[@WarrenKimpel]

nice video, might be very good when putting a sail on a canoe

[@farnorthpicker56]

I had experimented with a homemade set and could sit on the edge as you demonstrated. Main reason was taking my granddaughters out, and the water stays cold up here in northern Ontario. Well they’re adults now, but we have a retriever that wants to go with us. He’s a bit unnerving in our canoe. Maybe I’ll revamp my design and use them this year. $600 hurts on a small pension! Lol. Great video.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Ya, they're not cheap for sure. There are lots of DIY option on KZbin, but for flat out quality, these are tops! Take care!

[@osu_zach]

I love this. I think im going to have to try a DIY version first as that $370 price tag is a tough pill to swallow for my first set of stabilizers, but maybe I will need the actual set and go from there

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I'm a big believer in DIY. If you're a serious tripper, I'd suggest no DIY because of pure efficiency (any normal floats other than the Spring Creek Style) will maximize resistance to forward motion (unless they ride above the water line until the canoe is tipped quite a bit to the side). I'd be interested in seeing your DIY project once it's done! Cheers,

[@chux72vette]

Those look amazing. They mimic what a bunch of other people use around the world that I've seen. I'm retired USAF and have been around the world more than once and have seen similar things that are used but this product is one that I would definitely buy and try. We have some up to Class 3 white water on the Coosa River and would be interested in how they would fair there. Excellent review, explanation and display of those outriggers! I do believe they also would help me on my barge of a canoe, Mad River Legend 16, which is already heavy. She'e fast and stable but with no keel as you mentioned, I do believer these will be on my Christmas list. Thanx again~

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I'd consider these for whitewater, but only at the minimum extension since they can get in the way and restrict your progress while paddling around rocks in current if they are extended any farther.

[@mico5018]

just bought some stabilizers… its gonna change the game for fishing from the canoe👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good choice! That is 100% true. Standing is easy and non-threatening in most canoes! I hope you're successful and enjoy the process! Cheers,

[@AntonMoquin-vg1sy]

I have these and I've been wanting to cut them open on top and make them hold extra cargo. I would obviously retain the piece I cut out to make a water tight lid. Think that would work?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Wow - that's a tough one! I haven't even thought of what's inside. I'm guessing they are hollow, but maybe not. The best angle would be to contact Spring Creek directly to ask what's inside. If they are hollow, and if you're good with your hands, you may be able to create a hatch that has a waterproof, durable seal. If so, you've almost invented a new product!! Way to think!

[@richarddsouza7761]

Unbelievable. I like my Prospector before this video but I like it a lot more now. I hope SpringCreek is sending you a cheque...

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Unfortunately, Spring Creek never even gave me a deal on mine and they certainly don't have any sort of affiliate program that will pay me for sending them my business. I do it because they are the best stabilizers available on the market anywhere ... for now. Cheers,

[@ProdigiousReturn]

How do these fare when going through/over waves and chop? I was reading that stabilizers can actually make a canoe stability worse in conditions like these because they don’t go over the wave and instead cut through it or go under and pull the canoe in weird ways.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good question and I have some insight. I've been on waves as big as I'd ever want to tackle in a canoe, and the stabilizers float very well and do resist tipping side to side. In large waves, I tend to head into the waves, go with the waves, or stay off the lake. I only get hit broadside in waves I can handle (I just get a "feel" for it). You are right in that a canoe getting hit broadside with 1 - 2 foot waves will ride the wave better - especially if it has a round bottom and not flat. If the waves were large enough to threaten stability WITH stabilizers, I'd get off the lake and not tempt fate. Thanks for commenting!

[@ProdigiousReturn]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thank you for the reply. Just to clarify then, when you’ve had them going in to the wave head in, they didn’t cause issues? Maybe it’s the type of floats on these. The ones others complained about didn’t move up and down at all. They were completely fixed.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Correct. No problem with heading into waves (for me) but I haven't gone on massive waves like on the great lakes. I imagine that bigger waves would cause LESS of a problem since you're just riding up an down on larger sections of angled water, whereas smaller waves can cause a chop, jostling your canoe in weird ways. These floats are fixed, but you can raise or lower them into a wide variety of fixed positions according to conditions and preferences. In rough water, you could raise them several inches so they would only be deployed if you run into trouble and are at risk of tipping.

[@metaspencer]

Nice video man! good to see how you do it

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Appreciate it!

[@romanzownirowycz9284]

I have had a set of the originals floats which are not aerodynamic like these, but unless they are in the water it does not make a difference. They work extremely well. I do not know if you know the story behind them, but the original person who invented this in this family run business had a friend who died in a canoe accident and he built these in response to that event. This company has many accessories and I also bought the sail kit which uses the same stabilizer.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Wow - great insight! Thanks so much for your comment and backstory.

[@MrPeter924]

Good video sounds great boat. Great show

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Ricky-y7e]

Thanks for the video. I am 65, wife is 62, gran child is 5. Just ordered a pair. Need the stabilization, less worry. They have a 10% discount code. 342.00 total. Just subscribed to your channel. Let you know how I like them.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad I could help. It's always encouraging to hear positive feedback. Blessings,

[@wapiti128]

Would you mind sharing the discount code?

[@Blakebentley4]

Do these work well with motors? Would they get caught up in a big wake??

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Yes, they work well with motors since you can adjust them anywhere you want from the bow to stern or anywhere in between. You can also adjust the distance they sit from the gunwales (the farther out they are the more stable the boat will be). Large wakes from other boats have no negative effects. They will steady the boat so it is not tossed around as much as if you didn't have them. Thanks for watching!

[@joshhead9368]

Thanks for the great review. I think this will help big time when reeling in bigger fish because I find that part of canoe foshing a bit sketchy haha.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Glad it was helpful! It really does make any canoe very stable!

[@daveberry371]

Does the float / support bar interfere with your paddle stroke?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Dave; It does not. The support bar is far enough away from my position that my paddle does not reach it. If you find your paddle does reach it, it's easy to simply move it forward. It will support your canoe in nearly any position (though closer to center is best). Thanks for the question.

[@daveberry371]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Thanks for the quick reply.

[@joenicosia1208]

How does the canoe paddle ?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

The canoe handles and paddles surprisingly well with the stabilizers. However, I have found 2 notable issues; 1 - I don't like the drag when the pontoons are deployed too aggressively. I tend to lift them out so they are barely touching the water (if at all) while I'm paddling on calm water. 2 - if you place them in just the wrong spot, you won't be able to paddle at all so you need to place them away from your paddle stroke zone. Great question!

[@r.williamcomm7693]

I want a set! Just deleted my comment about stabilizer float length when I found out the following: “The floats weigh 4lbs each. The Floats measure 37″ long from tip to tip. The universal receiver weighs between 7 and 8.5lbs depending on the size. Each Canoe Stabilizer Package comes with 1 Universal Receiver, 2 Canoe Stabilizer Floats, 2 Telescoping Arms, and 1 set of Clamps.”

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

It truly is the best stabilizer on the market. And that endorsement comes with no commissions as I have ZERO connection with Spring Creek financially or otherwise (other than I bought at full price and own a set myself). Cheers, and thanks for watching!

[@Motorcyclewindtherapy]

In 2009 I made my own with crab pots from a kayak fishing online site. They were OK. The pvc broke and the dog quit going with me that I got them for. Yesterday I fell out of my boat trying to stand and fish and you know what... your video just sold me! Sure they are expensive compared to the DIY or even the inflatable options... Made in USA. Obvious quality. I can use them on my solo canoe, my family canoe and even on my Coleman Crawdad plastic jon boat... yep, I'm sold. I am getting a set if these today. Thank you. I also am a recent subscriber and appreciate your channel a lot. I'm 54 and like you said... not getting younger. I'm fit and all... but this is just smart and will prolong the decades I can still paddle (and use a motor) in my future.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Great to hear from you! It's always encouraging to hear from others of like mind! blessings,

[@Motorcyclewindtherapy]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 I wanted to come back to this video and tell you that I received my Spring Creek stabilizer kit and LOVE it. I actually contacted them yesterday and ordered the 60" universal Receiver bar so I can use the kit on my jon boat with the grandchild, the dogs, etc. I can't believe how much better these work than the homemade ones from the crab floats! I should have never hesitated and just spent the money for these all those years ago. Thanks again for your channel - I've enjoyed your bids these past couple weeks a lot.

[@smokenjoe4022]

5 or 6 foot pontoons l would think that it would be extremely stable!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

True enough!

[@waynec1827]

Will these assist on whitewater?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hey Wayne; Yes, they will assist in whitewater, but in my opinion, I wouldn't suggest it. Why? 2 reasons! Mainly because they will likely get stuck between a couple rocks shortly after you start using them (unless your whitewater is gentle with no obstacles sticking out or near the surface). Secondly, my guess is that you'll actually ruin them with a substantial collision with a log or rock. In that collision you may well ruin your gunwales as well. Having said all that, if your river is relatively free of protruding rocks and is fairly gentle, they may just work perfectly.

[@waynec1827]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 thank you! That's what I figured but thought maybe there was some magic configuration not addressed in the demo. I would add for any novice that canoeing whitewater is high risk activity (but pretty fun when we'll executed).

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I’d love to have some for my kayak but $460 is well out of my reach.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Budget is something I understand well! Spring Creek has been criticized often for their price point (including me during an interview with them) and their response is that they are a "premium" product provider, which may be true, but it doesn't change the fact that many would-be buyers can't afford half a month's rent to get them! There are some alternatives, but none are as good, unfortunately!

[@Traumamonkey]

Minute 7:18. Sold!! Take my money!!

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I wish I could! I don't sell them and I don't get a commission for referrals :(

[@ProdigiousReturn]

I’ve read people complaining that they can’t do a proper stroke with stabilizers. How do you find them when paddling? I wanted them for fishing with my kids. I noticed you use them with a trolling motor, do you also paddle with it while fishing?

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Good question. The answer is YES, I use them while paddling, but I don't spend a ton of time paddling with them since I'm not usually in rough waters. Regarding the issue of whether they get in the way while paddling, keep in mind that you can move the stabilizer cross bars just about anywhere along the gunwales of your canoe, so just move them to a location that is not within the reach of your stroke. I usually sit well aft of the center beam so I would push my stabilizer setup as far to the bow as possible. Thanks for the question!

[@coffeedollsvp]

Nice

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I use mine with enthusiasm :)

[@coffeedollsvp]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 id like to use on my 14 ft aluminum boat

[@aziztomak7270]

Hi buddy I am aziz türkey İSTANBULI'm following you You helped me a lot with this video. what is the material you tactic ? an inflatable kayak stabilizer i want to do. I would be very happy if you could help me with this.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hi Aziz; I did not build my own stabilizer. There are many inflatable kayak stabilizers online (Amazon). This one I reviewed has aluminum braces and the floats themselves are hollow, hard plastic. This stabilizer would be a bit too big and bulky for a kayak, but inflatable options are available for a kayak for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@slipnsldnaway]

Why do they cost so much

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That I can't answer. However, if I had to guess, I'd say it's because there is no serious competition. Most stabilizers and DIY home-made while any others I've found online are just cheap foam noodles. These are nearly indestructible and tough.

[@dagger281]

Just ordered mine! Can't wait!!!💪😁👍

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@dagger281]

I just returned from my maiden voyage! Handled 3 foot rollers! Very Impressive!va​@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904

[@Dogsled1000]

I've paddled my canoe since the early 1970's and I never had an outrigger. ADVICE... to her, keep your ass on the seat, everything isn't a cell phone app... better yet find somebody to take him out and teach him what he should really be doing.... Oh yeah.......maybe let him put a line in the water.....

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Absolutely. I don't typically use a stabilizer system either since most of my trips involve many kilimeters of portaging. But, in certain conditions and circumstances, it does make sense! Thanks for your feedback!

[@Mrkellywilliamson]

After 6 months of ocean use on stabilizer broke a mile out to sea, not a fun situation. The reason why is that the 3/4" aluminum rod that connects to the red plastic floats, the pin that goes through the hole of that rod, rattled around in that slightly bigger hole and enlarged the hole enough to pull all the way out. In other words, the aluminum of that 3/4" rod is too thin; ie, not robust enough for ocean use. They charged me money for the replacement rods that will break again over time. I cannot recommend this product.

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

That sounds like a crazy situation but I'm sure most people on most small, northern lakes (where I recommend use) won't experience that. Sorry to hear!

[@wymple09]

Beef it up then. Shouldn't be hard to reinforce a weakness.

[@dappawap]

great product but shipping to Canada is $$$$$$$$

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

You're right! However, I knew this would be a 1-time purchase for the rest of my life, so I bit the bullet and did it anyway. This is not a product you'll typically get rid of or wear out or destroy.

[@Traumamonkey]

Stand on the gunweles 😂

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

I suspect I'd lose my balance before the canoe gets a chance to capsize :)

[@springcreekmfg]

Hey friend, thank you so much for featuring our Canoe Stabilizer Float Package, for your loyalty, business, and support. It's so appreciated. We would love to work with you directly on future opportunities together. Please reach out to us directly if you are interested as we are having difficulties reaching out to you via email. We look forward to hearing from you! - Your friends at SCM

[@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904]

Anytime! Yours is the best stabilizer for fishing - hands down...for now :) I did get some pushback from fellow paddlers on various Facebook pages who poo-pooed the idea of a stabilizer as being only for "novices" and "real, experienced canoeists" would never use one. I chose not to argue with them, but I couldn't help but want to ask them if they ever stood up and walked around to stretch their legs in a solo canoe with a 25 inch beam ... that was empty of gear! I think they'd have a bit of a challenge with that!

[@FrankLadd]

@@ruggedoutdoorsguide9904 Plus an outrigger is really helpful when you throw a cast net!