Need input on LL Bean Canoes

[fxtrader]

Old Town canoes are the best and they have a factory store on site. I am probably biased as I worked there during the summer while going to college. My cousin has worked there for over 15 years. They did a drop test of a canoe of the factory roof which is some 3 to 4 stories high and also dropped a plow blade on one while I was there. They held up perfect! They also ship and sell them all over the country so you don't really need to come to Maine to get one but it is still a good excuse!

[Kracer]

Terms such as stability are relative. Putting lot of people in a canoe is not a good idea unless you go to a 20 footer. Depends on size of kids and overall weight. Maybe choose a boat instead.

See paddling.net for users reviews for just about any brand of canoe. Tons of questions on the forums about which boat to select and lots of user replies. This is an excellent place to start.

See their canoes for sale and you will definitely see some boats up your way.

Best to go with a used boat until you get a feel for what the capabilities of a canoe.

Two small kids and 2 adults would work well in many models. Wenonah sundowner, jensen 18, Mad river, explorer and malecite, Bell northwind, Old Town penobscot, discovery...etc, etc.

Nothing smaller than 16'.

Any new boat will feel unstable until you use it a few times. Stability is a marketing term to a large extent though some boats are more stable than others especially at the ends of the specialty spectrum. Lowering a seat 1" can make a huge difference in the 'feel' of stability.

First thing to do when the weather allows is to flip the boat to get a feel for its capabilities and your limitations. Never get in the boat without a lifejacket/pfd. Any small kids need to have a vest/pfd that has a crotch strap.