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Canoes are a fantastic way to get out on the water enjoying nature, but they can often be tiring to paddle, especially if they’re loaded up with gear and people. Square stern canoes are the answer to all your prayers as they have the ability to add on a motor thanks to their square-backed design.
This article has reviewed 5 of the best square stern canoes that are suitable for families, anglers, or hunters that require a bit more oomph than what a paddle can give them. If you’re on the hunt for your next canoe, then keep on reading! We’ve also included a buyer's guide at the end to ensure you’re purchasing the perfect canoe for you.
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The Sun Dolphin Scout SS is a fantastic budget square stern canoe that is crafted from rugged UV-stabalized polyethylene and features built-in seats and fishing rod holders
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Old Town’s Discovery Sport 15’ square stern canoe can hold a whopping 1536 pounds, making it an ideal choice for families or anglers with excess gear. The canoe features three nylon webbed seats, a full-length stabilizing chine, and beams to support stability.
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This 19’ canoe can be paddled by both beginner and experienced paddlers thanks to its stable 40” width. With a total weight capacity of 1100 pounds, you’ll be able to paddle along with all your necessary camping, fishing, or hunting gear.
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| Dimensions | Weight | Capacity | Check Price |
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19’ x 40” |
119 lbs |
1100 lbs |
The Grumman 19’ Square Stern Canoe is the longest canoe on our list, and due to its extended length, it is a popular choice by professional guides and outfitters. This isn’t to say, however, that beginner paddler should skip straight past, as the 19’ Square Stern is still fairly lightweight and easy to maneuver.
During the design process, Grumman Canoes opted for an aluminum hull and added 12 ribs and a Bulb T keel to give the canoe added strength in the water. Along with this, they ensured that the canoe can carry up to 1100 lbs making it an excellent option for fishing or duck hunting when the excess gear is necessary.
The length of the canoe may make it slightly tricky for beginner paddlers to get the hang of handling the canoe (don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time,) but they’ll have no issue with stability as the canoe is 40” wide. When it comes to watercraft, the wider the hull, the more stable it will be, so even if you plan on fishing from the 19’ Grumman Square Stern, you’ll be able to cast and reel from a standing position with little to no trouble.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a square stern canoe is the fact that you can add a trolling motor to the rear end. Grumman constructed their 19’ canoe with a transom gusset of tough .125 aluminum, and they even included motor pads so the boat can handle boat motors of up to 5 horsepower. If you opt for the 19’ Grumman Square Stern, then good news! Your paddling trips just got, even more, relaxing because now you can pack in the paddle and rely on a motor. Unless you run out of fuel, that is.
When it comes to transportation, you should be able to transport the 19’ traditional canoe on a standard car roof rack system due to its reasonably lightweight design. With that being said, however, it’s important to check your roof rack’s limits, as all cars and systems are different.
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| Dimensions | Weight | Capacity | Check Price |
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14’6” x 38.5” |
69 lbs |
800 lbs |
Esquif Canoes Heron Square Stern Canoe is a great multi-purpose canoe that you can adapt and transform into the perfect fishing, hunting, or recreational vessel. Even though the canoe itself weighs only 69 pounds, it is able to carry up to 800 pounds, which is ideal for small families, or anglers and hunters with a considerable amount of gear.
Something we particularly love about the Heron canoe is that Esquif Canoes added a foam core hull material that not only insulates the canoe from cold water but also acts as a sound buffer to help you creep up on fish, birds, and other animal species. The best fishing canoes need to be silent on the water, which is why the Heron is one of our top picks for anglers.
Beginner paddlers and families with fidgety children will appreciate how smooth, balanced, and stable the Heron is as Esquif Canoes designed it to be 38.5” wide. If you are a family with fidgety children, then you’ll appreciate the center webbed seat, as well as the front and back webbed seats, which allow small families of two adults and two young children to get out in nature and enjoy some family bonding time.
If you don’t fancy paddling for hours upon hours, then you can easily add on a 3-horsepower small motor to the square stern of the Heron. The motor is completely optional, but it will help you get to your favorite fishing spots far more efficiently.
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| Dimensions | Weight | Weight Capacity | Check Price |
| 15’3” x 40” | 114 lbs | 1536 lbs | Old Town |
If you’re after a canoe with an incredibly generous weight capacity, then look no further than the Old Town Discovery Sport 15’ Square Stern Canoe. This multi-purpose canoe can hold a whopping 1536 pounds meaning you can pile in your family, your camping gear, your fishing gear, and pretty much anything else you’d ever need for a weekend out on the water.
Now, you’d think that a canoe that can hold up to 1536 pounds is going to be heavy in itself, but you’ll be surprised to know that it actually only weighs 114 lbs. This reasonably lightweight design means that two paddlers can easily carry the canoe down to the water’s edge and even load it onto a car roof rack system.
Old Town wanted to ensure that their canoe stayed in perfect condition for years to come, so they designed the Discovery Sport out of three layers of durable and sturdy polyethylene, and they added a full-length stabilizing chine and a generous beam to improve stability. Polyethylene is what most traditional kayaks are made from as it doesn’t rust, it is lightweight, and it can withstand everyday wear and tear.
The interior of the Discovery Sport, like many other traditional canoes, is fairly simple as it features three nylon webbed seats, comfortable carrying handles, and oar sockets to secure your oars in place. If you do intend on adding a motor to the Discovery Sport, then Old Town has recommended that it doesn’t exceed 4 horsepower and that you change the weight capacity to 4 people or 800 pounds.
| PROS | CONS |
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| Dimensions | Weight | Capacity | Check Price |
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15’6” x 42” |
104 lbs |
800 lbs |
The Mackinaw SS Square Stern Canoe by Sun Dolphin has made its way onto our list because of its sleek design and unique features. Sun Dolphin constructed the Mackinaw SS from rugged UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene, which is extremely durable and a popular material choice for watercraft.
Thanks to its square stern, paddlers have the option of adding on a 2 horsepower motor for those days when paddling traditionally isn’t favored. This canoe is best suited to electric trolling motors, and although it isn’t going to be the fastest boat out on the water, the motor will still make a considerable difference.
As we mentioned previously, what we love about this canoe are its additional features. The first is its center seat, which double ups as a dry storage area for belongings or a cooler for drinks and snacks. The Mackinaw SS also has paddle holders to prevent your paddles from slipping into the water, and drinks holders molded into every seat so you can stay hydrated throughout the entirety of your trip.
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| Dimensions | Weight | Capacity | Check Price |
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14’ x 38” |
84 lbs |
765 lbs |
Not everyone has the budget to splash out on an expensive canoe, and Sun Dolphin understood that, so they created a budget canoe that gives you the freedom to get out on the water without heavily damaging your bank balance.
The Scout SS canoe is fairly similar to Sun Dolphins Mackinaw SS which we mentioned previously, however, the Scout is shorter and narrower. Sun Dolphin used the same materials to create the Scout as they did the Mackinaw, so both canoes are crafted from rugged stabilized high-density polyethylene.
With the Scout SS, you can add on a 2-horsepower electric trolling motor to the sturdy square back transom, or you can choose to paddle traditionally depending on your preference. Throughout the hull of the Scout SS, there are three seats, all of which are molded to aid in the canoe’s flotation.
Something Sun Dolphin included in the Scout SS that other canoes on this list don’t have, however, are built-in rod holders so you can easily transform the canoe into a fishing vessel. Of course, you can also use it as a recreational canoe, but the ability to adapt it is a huge benefit.
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If you’re new to the canoeing world, you’re probably wondering what the difference is between a regular canoe and a square back canoe. The two are fairly similar, however, a square-back canoe gives you the ability to add on a motor.
Traditional canoes are pointed at both ends and can only be powered by a paddle, whereas the square design of a square back canoe allows you to clip on a motor which then does all the hard work for you.
Motors come in handy when fishing or hunting as they get you to your chosen spot on the water fairly efficiently. They’re also beneficial when heading out on a canoe camping trip, as the increased weight on board the canoe will be harder to paddle through the water. Square stern canoes really give you the best of both worlds as you have the option of a motor or a paddle.
If you’re thinking about purchasing your first (or next) square stern canoe, then there are a few things you should pay attention to determine which option would best suit you.
The first thing you’ll need to consider is the canoe’s length. When it comes to canoes and kayaks, the longer the boat, the faster it will go through the water. If speed is a big priority for you, then you’ll want to opt for the longest canoe possible. However, if stability and maneuverability are at the top of your list, then a shorter and more manageable canoe would be better suited to you.
You’ll also need to think about how you’re going to transport your canoe. Extremely long canoes would, more often than not, require a trailer, whereas shorter canoes could be transported on a standard roof rack system.
Width is another thing you’d need to think about, as the wider the canoe, the more stable it will be on the water. If you’re just starting out with paddling, or if you’re planning to hunt, fish, or camp from your canoe, then you’ll be better off purchasing a canoe that is over 38” wide. More experienced paddlers can opt for narrower canoes as the narrow hull will improve the canoe’s overall speed.
Ideally, you want your canoe to be around for years to come, so the materials it is made from is something you don’t want to skim over. Ensure that the materials of your canoe are durable and strong such as wood, aluminum, molded-plastic, or fiberglass composite.
The seat configuration will all come down to whether you want to paddle solo, with a partner, or with your family. Solo canoes will have a seat positioned in the center of the canoe, whereas canoes suitable for two paddlers will have a seat at the bow and stern end of the canoe.
Consider how many people will be paddling with you at any given time and base your decision on these figures. It’s important to remember that solo paddlers can paddle a two-person canoe on their own, as long as they evenly distribute their weight with gear. If you think you’ll occasionally be paddling solo and occasionally tandem, then a two-person canoe would be the better option for you.
Weight capacity is something that many paddlers don’t consider, but it is actually extremely important. If you were to overload your canoe, it will sink slightly into the water, which would then make it incredibly difficult to handle and maneuver.
Before you purchase a canoe, it is recommended that you calculate your weight, the weight of any passengers, and the weight of any gear that you’ll be taking out with you. From there, you can compare this total figure to the maximum weight capacities of the canoes you’re considering.
You want to ensure that you’re ideally 25% under this weight limit so that if you upgrade any gear or if you switch out paddling partners, you’ll still be under the maximum capacity.
Canoes are fairly simple boats, and unlike kayaks, they typically don’t include many features. Some canoes will come with cup holders or storage, but many are, more often than not, bare-bone boats.
If you’re on the hunt for a new canoe, then a square stern canoe would be a fantastic option. Square stern canoes aren’t considerably different from a traditional canoe, however, they do give you the option to add on a motor if you so wish.
This ability allows you to turn your canoe into a motorized boat that can then transport you, your family, and your camping gear, for example, to remote spots that aren’t accessible by larger boats.
Square stern canoes are typically more stable than standard canoes as they were designed with fishing and hunting in mind. Anglers and hunters require more stability from their canoes as they’re frequently moving when casting, reeling, or shooting at their catch. As the back of a square stern is flat and slightly wider than that of a traditional canoe, the stability of the boat is increased.
Square back canoes are extremely versatile as you can paddle them traditionally, or you can attach a motor to their back. Paddling a square stern canoe is no different from paddling a standard canoe.
Canoes with a flat back are called square stern canoes. These canoes are compatible with trolling motors, but you can also paddle them as you would any other canoe.
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