Anyone heard of a Gheenoe?

Josh

Josh

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I just learned of something called a Gheenoe. Looks like a flatter multi-chine bottom square stern canoe? Seems to have a lot less tippiness and guys stand when fishing a lot. They are based in FL and apparently popular as "micro" flats skiffs? People even put poling platforms on them. So they must be stable enough for that? I dunno, I mean, they still look like a canoe. I'd think fishing/poling from that platform would be an adventure.

1657641703759.png
(image borrowed from microskiff.com)

There seems to be the original company (http://www.gheenoe.net/) that was started by this fellow, and then also a licensee (?) making fancier flats boats versions (https://www.customgheenoe.com/). Most of the popularity seems to be around the LT25 & LT10 Custom Gheenoe Boats versions.

I could see them being an interesting more stable version of a canoe for lakes, but I'm surprised they have gotten popular for saltwater. Here's a bigass "gheenoe clave" (or whatever you call that sort of thing) from last year. And here's a forum community with a lot of Gheenoe convo (lots of flats fly fishing too). That said, I know fuckall about flats fishing. I am a bit surprised they don't seem to be popular for lake bass/trout fishing. But overall people really seem to love these things. I mean, of course you can find people who are crabby about anything if you look. But these seem to have a pretty positive reputation. I'm just not 100% sure I understand "why" that is.

Here's a video with a guy specifically talking about stability:



On the other hand, here's a dude falling out of his:

 
That's a boat that's pretty high on my list for musky fishing. Some day...

Cost a little less than the similar Towee.
 
Fished out of one several times. They definitely can be a killer fit for some situations.

Last time in one was on the Collins River for muskie. Me and my pal added up to 500+ lbs and the guide had to be over 180lbs in a 15 footer. No concerns regarding stability and it offered great maneuverability.

Look how little the boat tilted when he got back in.
 
Bass-O-Matic said:
Fished out of one several times. They definitely can be a killer fit for some situations.

Last time in one was on the Collins River for muskie. Me and my pal added up to 500+ lbs and the guide had to be over 180lbs in a 15 footer. No concerns regarding stability and it offered great maneuverability.

Look how little the boat tilted when he got back in.
Click to expand...
Was it one of the original styles with 3 "benches"? Or the fancier "Custom Gheenoe" kind with the front/back decks?
 
Hmmm don't recall three benches. It was an older model that they don't make anymore, hadn't made them for awhile and this trip was maybe 2005. I went back through the guys Facebook post and didn't see a single photo of it. I can shoot him a tx for more info if you like?
 
Bass-O-Matic said:
Hmmm don't recall three benches. It was an older model that they don't make anymore, hadn't made them for awhile and this trip was maybe 2005. I went back through the guys Facebook post and didn't see a single photo of it. I can shoot him a tx for more info if you like?
Click to expand...
Nah, no need to go through that much trouble. I appreciate the offer though!
 
A Nucanoe would be a whole lot cheaper and lighter. The Frontier 12 has a greater load capacity as well. Lots of acces if you wish. The Frontier 12 is pretty stable. Even a fat guy like me can stand up in one. I know because I have one.
 
SpeyrodGB said:
A Nucanoe would be a whole lot cheaper and lighter. The Frontier 12 has a greater load capacity as well. Lots of acces if you wish. The Frontier 12 is pretty stable. Even a fat guy like me can stand up in one. I know because I have one.
Click to expand...
I've actually got a Nucanoe Flint myself. But as cool as the Frontier is, you can't put any more than a 2.5hp outboard on there. Some of those Gheenoes are rated for up to 40HP (which seems INSANE). But even a 10hp would scoot you along a lot faster than the Frontier.
 
Josh said:
I've actually got a Nucanoe Flint myself. But as cool as the Frontier is, you can't put any more than a 2.5hp outboard on there. Some of those Gheenoes are rated for up to 40HP (which seems INSANE). But even a 10hp would scoot you along a lot faster than the Frontier.
Click to expand...
There is that. I couldn’t imagine a 40HP on that boat. You could probably out race a bass boat. However if I’m putting an outboard on a boat, I’m sticking with my 14.5 foot Alumacraft. My 25HP does just fine. Moved me around the south sound and tiger fishing quite well.
 
SpeyrodGB said:
A Nucanoe would be a whole lot cheaper and lighter. The Frontier 12 has a greater load capacity as well. Lots of acces if you wish. The Frontier 12 is pretty stable. Even a fat guy like me can stand up in one. I know because I have one.
Click to expand...
saw one on a local lake recently, owner was stand-up casting, and later passed me, the minn Kota really moving him.
 
I have heard of it, but really do not know anything about it. I recall someone I follow on Instagram posting about one. I can look for the post to confirm and the give you the screen name.
 
Josh said:
I just learned of something called a Gheenoe. Looks like a flatter multi-chine bottom square stern canoe? Seems to have a lot less tippiness and guys stand when fishing a lot. They are based in FL and apparently popular as "micro" flats skiffs? People even put poling platforms on them. So they must be stable enough for that? I dunno, I mean, they still look like a canoe. I'd think fishing/poling from that platform would be an adventure.

View attachment 22404
(image borrowed from microskiff.com)

There seems to be the original company (http://www.gheenoe.net/) that was started by this fellow, and then also a licensee (?) making fancier flats boats versions (https://www.customgheenoe.com/). Most of the popularity seems to be around the LT25 & LT10 Custom Gheenoe Boats versions.

I could see them being an interesting more stable version of a canoe for lakes, but I'm surprised they have gotten popular for saltwater. Here's a bigass "gheenoe clave" (or whatever you call that sort of thing) from last year. And here's a forum community with a lot of Gheenoe convo (lots of flats fly fishing too). That said, I know fuckall about flats fishing. I am a bit surprised they don't seem to be popular for lake bass/trout fishing. But overall people really seem to love these things. I mean, of course you can find people who are crabby about anything if you look. But these seem to have a pretty positive reputation. I'm just not 100% sure I understand "why" that is.

Here's a video with a guy specifically talking about stability:



On the other hand, here's a dude falling out of his:

Click to expand...

A friend of mine guides out of them in Texas for redfish in the salt marshes. He swears by them.
 
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