I am seeking advice from the knowledgeable members here on a Gheenoe choice. I lived in South Florida all my 50+ years. Fished out of a 15-4 Gheenoe for many years. Caught countless Peacock Bass, Largemouths, etc. I retired to the mountains of Vermont and foolishly sold my Gheenoe thinking it was not the right boat for up here. I was wrong, as it is well suited for the rivers, reservoirs and small lakes that I chase Smallmouth Bass in. I will be in FL next month and will be bringing a new Gheenoe back with me. Torn between
a 15-4 or a 13? It’s just me 90% of the time. I’m leaning towards the 13 due to the more space up front and easier outboard reach in the back. Concerned about the low hp rating? Not concerned about speed, but do want to get on plane. The fishing up here is fantastic, but tough only fishing about 5 months of the year! Definitely will be snow birding so I can fish! Thanks in advance for your knowledge and recommendations.

Hi @Northwoods100 . I thought I made a mistake getting a 1998 13 footer given the "rating" for maximum persons/load/gear was less than the 15 footer but I love it; the wider transom results in a very stable boat. While mine came with a 4HP 2 stroke Merc, I found a terrific deal on a new 9.9HP 4 stroke so I upgraded. Field tests on the new motor (still in the box and warrantied) are pending as I'm refreshing the boat and customizing it to my needs; like you, the majority of fishing will be solo or w/ the little fellas. I will say the 4HP 2 stroke is not enough. I'm 185# and I needed to stand darn near center to plane at low speed; but this may have been complicated w/ the (wet) excessive plywood previous owner had installed and I just tore out. Moving my weight forward a bit more w/ a side-mounted grab bar to help get on plane, upgrading transom to support more HP, etc. This guy did a rebuild with fabricated trim tabs and jack plate on his 15' as he had trouble getting on plane; some good ideas on that blog with a video of it running at the bottom. I think it's powered by an 8HP. Just to give you some ideas. Any boat is better than no boat Maybe you can link up w/ someone on here in the area you're headed to take a 13 for a spin for comparison.

 

Pick up a classic or an LT25.

I have a NMZ and I really like it but the classic and LT25 are more stable.

You can never go wrong with more space. Also having decks to fish off of are an asset.

 

This. If I had to do it over again (and more patience) I would snag an LT25.

 

The LT25 is held in high regard, but I think you can get more boat for the money.
It's harder to get a better boat for highsider money.
Keep it clean and simple and 8-9.9 will be great.

 

I have some time in LT25s and they are relatively stable within limitations. Launch close to the spot and keep it simple. I don't have any comparison to the other Gheenoe models.

Have you looked at the Towee Skiffs? Larger hp rating and good feedback from owners.

Here's a Calusa Pro in Tennessee on Marketplace:

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The build quality from Custom Gheenoe is much better than the standard Gheenoes.

A Towee is also a great skiff.

 

I would go Classic or LT25. I fish solo most of the time out of a gheenoe classic. Super Stable, runs 28mph with a 2 stroke 15hp, can fish all day with a small trolling motor, and can comfortably fish two. It will draft less and be faster than a 15'4 or a 13. Gheenoe classics are an older hull so it is easier to find a deal than on a LT25. If I had to pick between a 13 and a 15'4 i would pick the 15'4 every time.

 

Well…I didn’t mention but someone else did so I will say it.

IF I had the budget AND I was in the market, the Towee Calcusa would be a good choice. More freeboard, etc.

Stability is somewhat relative. I was fishing and standing in a Sea Ghost 130 and the Gheenoe is stable to me. My NMZ is basically a tricked out 15.4.

Figure out what your budget is and then get the best bang for the buck. If you are trailering then the 13 would really make a difference. If you are going to put an electric motor, a battery, and a larger outboard you want a larger Gheenoe.

 

Hi, if you are leaning toward a 13', and you are coming down this way, you could check out what my company builds.

Our GS13 is slightly larger and roomier than a 13' Gheenoe, is worlds stronger, and still only weights ~130lbs.
The hull is more like a small Towee than a gheenoe.
Can customize interior layout. Can rate it for a 9.9, probably going to do that going forward.

Here's a picture of me standing on a cooler on top of the livewell in one, pretending to cast with a paddle to demonstrate stability:

https://www.microskiff.com/threads/canoochee-boatworks.114785/?post_id=1095220&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-1095220

 

If I lived in VT I'd be more tempted to run a couple hours north and pick up an Abitibi duck boat... not as well-finished as a Towee but almost as stable, but closer to Gheenoe in cost and -way- better built.

 

I think my biggest concern with the 13 is the low hp rating. My previous 15-4 with a Mercury 9.9 would move along well fully loaded. Thanks for all the replies!

 

I had an LT 10 and have a 13' high sider. I will never own an LT Custom Gheenoe again, unless it's given to me. They are not worth the cost in my opinion. On the other hand, I still have and love my high sider. It's just a practical, stable, canoe, that can handle a motor. We all know them for what they are, and when used in their niche they are great vessels for 1 or two people. I reinforced the transom on my high sider and had a 9.9 on it at one point. With two people WOT it would get up to 22 MPH. Could not hit WOT solo without weight up front as it would porpoise heavily. There is definitely a place for my high sider. As long as I'm still fishing and being on the water, not something I ever plan on being without.

 

If you can pick up a 13 footer cheap go for it

for some reason CG works behind closed doors But the company "River Vixen" (Roy Fox ) is hand laying a very nice hull and posts photos for ALL to see !!!

A random sample Of a CG LT 25 reveals that besides being shot out of a chopper gun you will be treated to a Wood transom ! :-(

 

Hi, I have a 13' High Sider. Have been fishing in it for two years. When I bought it there was a Tohatsu 5hp/4s on it. It would not plane with only me and 3 gallons of gas. I put a Johnson 6hp/2s on it which would plane easily with standard amount of gear and just me but was not able to handle two people very well. My plan was to mod the 6hp to be a 9hp (seems possible according to the internet) but I went to a Tohatsu 9.8/4s with electric start and reinforced the transom. Now it planes with one or two but the transom was a little low so I moved more gear forward and moved my seated position forward and it helped. I had a porposing issue almost immediately after reaching "on-plane" speed so I fabbed a small set of trim tabs out of some aluminum and now it does everything that I want it to do. I needed a boat that I could carry on top of a pipe rack or trailer, if possible, so the 13 was my only choice...until i figured out how to winch it on and off the pipe rack so I might go to a slightly bigger hull but the 13 meets my needs. The hp rating on the CG plate is not enough to keep me safe. I fish Galveston Bay as well as Aransas Pass/CC so I have to dodge tanker, LNG, and container ship wakes routinely.

 

@kipmelton - Are you able to attach a picture of your fixed aluminum trim tabs? Thinking of doing the same w/ my rebuild. Saw a fella do the same for his 15'. thx in advance!

 

Hadn’t seen anyone mention it yet, but are you planning to trailer it and launch at boat ramps or transporting via truckbed ? Will you ever need to portage the boat?

 

It will be on a trailer. Only one reservoir I fish requires a portage and is a nmz lake. All other locations will work with a trailer. Thanks

 

Well, I picked up my new 15-4 today. It will be heading North to Vermont. Everyone at Gheenoe was very friendly and helpful. Can’t wait for Spring when I can start fishing again! Smallmouth Bass fishing reports from the North Woods to follow.

 

She's a beaut! Enjoy

 

Update on my Gheenoe:

Got my new Tohatsu 9.8 outboard today. Also had a Line X Keel Guard applied from bow to stern. Will be in the outboard break in period until it gets warm enough to fish. Usually mid to late May the Smallmouths turn on up here.

 

That's probably going to be a lifesaver. The only place I need to rotozip on my refurbish project are on the keel. I've also heard of people using (professional) trunk bed liner, only the first step not the sticky second, being applied to the entire bottom up to the water line. My buddy does this to John boats. I've never seen it/ used it so I can't speak to it, I like the idea of the keel guard. Have fun chasing those smallies and post some pics!

 

My whole bottom was fine in bed liner by the previous owner. Slows down my top end but protects the hull, good trade off.