dh@. wrote...

Right now I'm thinking about getting a
canoe and an outboard motor for it. Can anyone tell me some
things about it, since I've no experience with it? What size
motor for about a 13' canoe? What about using an electric
motor, if that's a reasonable consideration? Where to find
good prices on used canoes (I'm in the Atlanta, GA area)?

Canoes are designed to be paddled. Using an outboard for the short distance
from the houseboat to the beach will be more trouble than it's worth.