Shopping for a used Grumman canoe?
Used Grumman or other aluminum canoes are good low-risk purchases. If you are looking for a basic canoe to get from A to B or to leave at the hunt camp, you’ll find Grummans for low prices. As they are so durable, unless they’ve suffered catastrophic damage, it will still probably be fine to paddle even if they’ve been neglected for a while.
When you’re buying a used Grumman, consider where to look, what to look for and how much to pay when you find it.
Where to look
Since they’ve been in production so long and last almost forever, your chances of finding a used Grumman canoe are pretty high. They are especially popular among the hunting and fishing crowd, so you may have good luck searching in smaller towns. You can start shopping for a used Grumman right now by opening up your favorite online classifieds site. On Kijiji or Craigslist, Grumman canoes might be simply listed as “aluminum canoes” or another general term.
Cast a wide net to make sure that you don’t miss these postings. Another strategy might be to post a “wanted” ad on a community page. People may have aluminum canoes sitting in their backyards that they just haven’t gotten around to selling, and in these cases, they would be happy for you to take the boat off their hands.
What to look for
Since these canoes are so tough, most used ones will probably still be seaworthy. You’ll still want to inspect the boat and test it if you can. Flip the canoe over and look for weak points along the hull where it may have been repeatedly scraped and dragged. Two areas to check are the stems, the narrow aluminum plates that cover the seams at the bow and stern of the canoe.
If they’ve been bashed enough times they may have cracked, which could mean a leaky canoe. Best to get the canoe into some water and look for any water seeping in. Small holes are easy enough to repair with a bit of solder. Lift the canoe and listen for any water sloshing around in the bow and stern float tanks.
How much to pay
Used Grumman canoe prices will vary significantly depending on their condition and reason for the sale. You might find them for less than $500 if a seller is keen to clear it out. A newer canoe may sell for more, between $800-$1,000.
For more tips on what to look for when selecting a used canoe, read our article How To Buy A Used Canoe.
Grumman canoe buying advice
If you’ve decided that Grumman canoes are the way to go, check out their offerings below. We’ll touch on the three types of canoes they offer and who would enjoy them. Aluminum canoes are rare, and plastic has overtaken metal as the go-to for inexpensive, durable boats, but they still have their uses. While plastic canoes are susceptible to UV damage from the sun, you can leave an aluminum canoe exposed to sun, snow, heat and sleet; it will paddle the same as ever.
Grummans are stable, long-lasting canoes, ideal for recreational paddling, angling or hunting. Your preferred means of propulsion and how many people will be paddling the canoe will determine the best model and length to choose.
