I don't know of any coating that would protect the hull from scratches
during 'normal' usage. I don't nose up to the shore, but land parallel to
the beach and step out the side. Make use of the slope of the beach to
'ground' the boat which will stablize it so you can easily stand up and get
out or in. Position the boat in enough water so when you step in it will
touch bottom but you can push off with a minimum of effort. Experience will
teach you what works best for you and the boat.

You don't say which canoe you purchased, but I don't think you will need
stabilizers. A friend and I have solo canoes we built that are easily
capsized and we fish them without any problem. It took us quite a while
before we talked ourselves into doing it, but once we did we wondered why we
took so long. I can't believe a 'store bought' boat would be less stable
than the ones we have, based on experience I have had in other boats. By
comparison the manufactured boat was much more stable. The best thing I can
tell you is to 'get out there', you'll be glad you did.

Bill


"okey dokey" wrote in message
...
Hi, I just bought a fibreglass canoe (13.5') and had a couple of
questions.

The first one is this, the boat right now has a beautiful paint job,
and you always see canoes scratched up on the bottom from beaching,
and river beachings on stones and such. Is there anything that I
could put on the bottom that could protect my hull better from
scratches and dings than what is just on there now? Any kind of
special antiscratch paint, or anything i could buy to cover the bottom
from dings and scratches? If so, where do i get this stuff from (Im
in Kitchener Ontario one hour west of Toronto)?

The second, I notice that canoes are extremely unstable as one shift
of your body the wrong way means "hello water". I have noticed on the
internet things called "Canoe Stabilizers" and was wondering if anyone
knows a cheap (price, not necessarily quality) way to build one of
these that is simple for a novice to build? I dont want it
permanently in the hull, something i could remove would be great. I
want to use it mostly for fishing stability. Anyone know where i can
get free plans for these things? or can offer me some tips as to what
materials to use, ie. for the floats, the arms, how to attach one to
the other, etc?

Any advice would be great.

sorry about the long questions.
Anyways, happy boating
-Jay.