We also like the molded spots by both seats, as well as the closable storage space and water tight storage space, both in the middle. Unlike rigid fiberglass canoes, the Saranac does not have a clean line. The Saranac was comfortable & tracked well in the water.
We went with several friends in old Grumman aluminum and a Coleman Scanoe.
Lots of great features. My other con would be seat design. Submitted by:
This is my first ever canoe purchase (04/01/15) and got it from Dick's on sale for $499.
The Saranac has rod holders, cup holders, very comfortable seats and it handles well in the water too. However, this is not a good tripping boat, nor does it have very good initial stability. A lot of reviewers mention this being a great "first" canoe. The seats are very comfortable. Not that it's heavy. I do love this boat. This is as critical as I can be, so 8+. This canoe seems to end up as the pack mule on our most recent trips, and handles that feat nicely.
In my opinion, the storage spaces on the front and back seat aren't very useful and tend to just collect water should you get splashed. After 2 back surgeries, I was a little apprehensive about getting back in a canoe at all. I have had it for 4 years now and it is still in great shape. I fish out of a bigger boat usually so that wasn't a priority for me, but I don't think I would be comfortable standing in this one. I put a 30 lb/thrust minn kota to ease up my fishing activities and to deal with the windy conditions that are prevalent where I live. Awesome for two adults, even better with one person and gear for camping. I have found myself caught in rough lake water due to storms and it handled big swells very well. The canoe has held up well over the last 3 years with only cosmetic scratches. JLA FORUMS | Classifieds | FOR SALE - New England | FOR SALE - Rhode Island. thrust Minn Kota motors. Ain't canoeing great? They are big and ackward canoes out of the water, which makes it difficult for one person to load/unload on a vehicle or storage. But, to enjoy the facilities and amenities, one needs to have a secured and quality canoe. Excellent entry level budget friendly family canoe. It is not as fast and does not track as well as its counterpart, the Mad River Adventure, but tracks well enough. Bought it to fish and float down the rivers. I made a trolling motor mount for it and added some rod holders, worked excellent for fishing big lakes and the California delta. It is a little heavier than I expected but not anything we can't handle.
Submitted by: This boat also has nearly everything you need built in.
We had to travel 2 hours to pick up our Amazing Old Town Canoe. We have now taken the boat out on a couple of fishing trips that went beyond 6 hours and never once got uncomfortable. I would definitely recommend this boat to others as a good boat for nearly any activity on flat or slow water.
Easy to handle and fits well on top of my car. With the old boat, about 2 hours and you were ready to get out and swim. They have provided many hours of enjoyable family time.
Took it out this morning. Submitted by:
It was a replacement for a 17ft Coleman we had been using for nearly 30 years.
Overall, my wife and I are 100% satisfied with our purchase and the quality of the canoes. Recently, I had two adults, 2 kids and gear in the canoe on a fishing trip although I wouldn't recommend this on a regular basis. The amenities included; rod holders, drink holders, dry storage, carry handles, and the list goes on and on, make this canoe a value by themselves but add the comfort and it becomes a dream come true!
The seats are very comfortable while paddling, at rest and stationary for at least the first three hours while fishing. Lots of room for extra gear or riders. They have been perfect for our family of 5. My wife and I purchased the Saranac 146 canoe last summer. It is not as fast and does not track as well as its counterpart, the Mad River Adventure, but tracks well enough. It is now many years later and I wanted to again enjoy the relaxation and peace that comes with canoeing.
Super stable. It's very stable and tracks well. 2 rod holders, 1 waterproof hatch, 1 bench with storage. Seats are good. I would recommend this canoe.
The seats and seat backs are incredible. Easy to handle, great for carrying loads, reasonably quick to start on the water, and tracks pretty good under paddle, and is a stable platform to stand in. Being the only canoe with 5 kayaks my SS Sara was the barge for all the large gear.
We even spotted a cave and stopped and did some spelunking.
This canoe has so far proven to be a great workhorse.
Very satisfied with this canoe.
This is the third canoe I have owned, the other two I just plain wore out. Submitted by: