"Peter H" wrote in message
...
padeen wrote:

An XL Tripper with a side mount; now there's a nice rig, I'm sure. I can
see a 6 HP gas OB making this a very versatile package.

Of the many canoes & outboards I've owned, this is for me the best
compromise of maneuverability, carrying capacity & reliability.


On the other hand, I think much of your information about square-stern
drag
is incorrect, the drag being either negligible or nonexistent,

I'll agree that the loss of symmetry & the presence of a transom would
not have any huge reduction in efficiency. But you might discuss with
the Scott people just why they bother to maintain as narrow a line as
possible below the waterline and keep all of the transom out of the
water - their canoes are famed through Canada & the northeast as true
workhorses for heavy conditions &/or outfitters who need every bit of
"traditional" canoe attributes they can get.

I preferred to run mine from the front seat,
using a pole connected to the end of a Gill's extension handle with a
u-joint consisting of an S link held in place on the Gills handle and a
snap-link locked in place on the pole. This gave both throttle and
direction control from the front seat for about $18.



This would be great on many lakes & wider rivers where one is just
"loafing along" regardless of propulsion method. But in white water, bony
water, etc. this arrangement would be a handicap rather than an asset.



Pete's right that this set-up has compromises. Also, he's right about the
drag on the transom in standard square-stern canoes. OTOH, if you ever can
come across a proper Grand Lake Streamer, its a completely symmetric canoe
hull with the end cut off, so the transom is above the waterline. No drag,
and a duffel in the stern will keep the boat trim while you sit in the back
seat. They don't make them, IIRC, but you can find them.

--riverman