I've run both a 19' SS Grumman and a 17 Chestnut Prospector with a
side-mount. The Grumman was exceptionally more comfortable, carried a much,
much bigger load, was faster, and did I mention more comfortable? But....
what do you already own? If you have a regular canoe a side-mount 2 1/2 - 4
hp motor does quite well and increases your range considerably. I made mine
from some local birch and had to add a flap of birch bark to stop cavitation
(when the prop can't move any water due to hull stream conflict), but made
many trips on the Yukon with it. It could run upriver a good deal faster
than I could paddle against the current.
One word of advice: if you do decide to get a Grumman SS, avoid the 17'
model; the 19' model is ten-times the boat. You can also go with a Coleman
SS, but it won't stand up over time.
Padeen


"Ronald Donahue" wrote in message
...
My wife and I have been paddling canoes for the past 30 years and kayaks
for the last 3 but sometimes the places we want to go are just too far or
we
get tired of fighting the wind so I'm thinking or getting a square stern
canoe or maybe one of those brackets that you can put a small outboard
motor
on. Anybody have experience with this type of set up or a better idea,
any
suggestions?

Thanks

Ron Donahue