- Read our review guidelines
When you’re choosing a new canoe you will want to make sure you’ve got the best one you can afford. So before you make that all-important purchase, you should first consider what features you want and what activities you plan to use it for.
To help you out, we have compiled a guide to the Old Town Saranac 146 canoe, so you can get a better idea if this is the right canoe for you.
- Length: 14 ft 6 inches
- Width: 36 inches
- Depth: 13 inches
- Weight: 79 pounds
- Capacity: 750 pounds
Things To Consider Before Buying A Canoe
One of the first things you should think about before buying a canoe is probably the size of the vessel, for example, how many people you want it to carry and how much gear you might be loading into it.
Also, consider how you’re going to transport your canoe. The larger the canoe, the more difficult it may be to transport and store. Generally speaking, a shorter canoe will be lighter than a longer one and will also be easier to maneuver in the water, although it may not be as easy to paddle if you’re on a longer trip.
You should also consider the type of canoe you want, such as a recreational canoe for lakes or a river canoe that can handle rapids, or perhaps one that can handle both rivers and flatwater.
With the Old Town Saranac 146 you and your family can take to the water, which may not be the best choice if you plan to be paddling solo.
Top Features Of The Saranac 146 Canoe
The Old Town Saranac 146 is a recreational canoe with plenty of storage, and can be used for fishing or simply enjoying some time relaxing on the water with your family.
Bring The Crew
With two padded, contoured seats, that include seat backs, this could be a comfortable option if you’re looking to set off on a paddling trip with a partner. The seat backs are also adjustable for added comfort during longer excursions.
There is also a bench seat in the center that is designed to carry a smaller passenger or a child.
Storage Galore
This recreational canoe features a lot of storage options, with the center bench seat doubling as a handy storage compartment, which includes a 6 inch hatch. And with a 750 pound weight capacity, you can load all the gear you’ll need for a couple of days away.
In addition to this, there are molded-in cup holders at all three seats, as well as molded-in paddle rests at the bow and stern seats and molded-in storage trays at the bow, center and stern seats.
For convenience when fishing, there are also two molded-in rod holders; one at the center seat and the other at the bow seat.
Is It Easy To Use?
The Saranac 146 is made with thermoformed polyethylene so it is designed to offer good resistance to impacts and abrasions. The canoe has a flat bottomed hull, which should make it more stable and easier to maneuver on flatwater, although this advantage could come at the expense of speed.
The hull has a moderate rocker, which could make it easier to paddle for beginners, as it’s ease of turning and tracking should be pretty equal. The sides of the hull are straight, which should offer a combination of stability and ease of paddling, while preventing water from entering during choppier conditions.
You may find that it could be difficult to transport on your own, especially if you have to load it onto a roof rack. Having a second person help you will be a good idea, and there are molded-in carrying handles at both the bow and stern to make it easier for two people to carry.
Saranac 146 Alternatives
Old Town Discovery 133
The Discovery 133 is a tandem canoe that is a pound lighter than the Saranac 146 but is wider and around a foot shorter, which could make it a more stable option.
There are three nylon web seats without the back support. This has a capacity of 800 pounds, with less storage compartments.
Sun Dolphin Mackinaw
The Mackinaw is has similar storage options and features a storage compartment, cup holders at each of the three seats and paddle holders. It also has a cooler underneath the center seat.
This one may be more difficult to transport, weighing in at 95 pounds but it has a weight capacity of 800 pounds, so you’ll be able to pack a lot of gear on board.
Old Town Rogue River 154
This one could be a good alternative if you’re planning a day out, as it comes with an insulated cooler and a dry hatch in addition to the three cup holders and the storage trays.
It is longer, wider and heavier than the Saranac 146, with an 850 pound capacity but has the benefit of being ready for a motor to be mounted at the square stern hull.
Closing Thoughts
Pros
- Plenty of storage
- Comfortable seats
- Fishing rod holders
Cons
- Quite heavy
- Not ideal for solo paddler
Now that you’ve seen the features that this vessel has, you can check it out for yourself here. If you’re looking for a recreational canoe then this one could be a good fit for you, especially if there’s likely to be two or three of you.
It can be a good choice for the casual paddler, or load it up for a camping trip or fishing trip.
Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments and feel free to share.
