As I mentioned in an earlier article, I own a Gheenoe LT10. I think it’s a great boat and one that I’d definitely recommend to parents, or folks who just want a good skiff for smaller water bodies. With that said, it’s just one of six different Gheenoes currently offered by both gheenoe.net and customgheenoe.com. The point of this article is to help you choose which one of these six models is best for you.
The Different Gheenoes at a Glance
As of writing, there are six different models of Gheenoe you can choose from (at least that have information available on the main Gheenoe website). While there were other models available in the past, it appears that these are what you can buy new today:
- 13′ Model Gheenoe
- 15’4 Model Gheenoe
- 15’6″ Classic Gheenoe
- 16′ Super
- LT10
- LT25
At a glance, here is how they compare:
| Gheenoe Model | Length | Beam | Weight | Capacity | HP Rating | Transom |
| 13′ | 13′ | 3′ 8″ | 145lbs | 412lbs | 5 HP | 15″ |
| 15’4 | 15′ 4″ | 3′ 8″ | 145lbs* | 675lbs | 10 HP | 15″ |
| 15’6 Classic | 15′ 6″ | 4′ 7″ | 245lbs | 530lbs | 25 HP | 15″ |
| 16′ Super | 16′ | 4′ 7″ | 350lbs | 650lbs | 40 HP | 20″ |
| LT10 | 15′ 10″ | 3′ 9″ | 190lbs | 300lbs | 10 HP | 16″ |
| LT25 | 16′ | 4′ 8″ | 270lbs | unlisted (3 persons) | 25 HP | 16″ |
The various Gheenoe all have their pros and cons. Here’s a few thoughts on each of them to help you decide which to choose.
13′ Gheenoe
At just 145lbs and 13′ long, the smallest Gheenoe is going to be your best bet if you need to cartop. While 145lbs spread across 13′ is awkward, at least it’s doable.
A nice thing about this model is that it has a wider stern compared to the 15′ 4″ version. Folks on various forums have mentioned that this makes it easier to stand in. Given that one of the main reasons you might be looking at a Gheenoe is its stability, this is probably a plus.
The 13′ also has a front seat positioned more rearward than the 15′ 4″ model. This is going to allow a bit more legroom for someone sitting up front, if that’s a consideration. You’d also be able to fit more gear up there if that happens to be “your workstation.”
The downside is that you can’t use much of a motor on this, though that’s probably not what you’re looking for if you’re choosing this model.
15′ 4″ Gheenoe
The website has the 15′ 4″ Gheenoe having the same weight as the 13′ model. I’ve snooped around on the internet and can’t find anything definitive saying this isn’t true. From the layout, I suppose it could be possible. The stern is less wide than the 13′ model and folks have advised that this makes it a little less stable. This makes sense.
On Gheenoe’s website, they’re claiming folks have reported speeds of 18+ MPH with the maximum 10 HP setup. It also has a more streamlined shape than the 13′ model which is going to help one paddle.
As stated above, by the looks of the photos, the 15′ 4″ actually has less legroom for folks sitting in the front. This may or may not matter to you.
Finally, just because you have another 2′ to account for, it’s going to be tough to get this model in the back of a pickup.
15’6″ Classic Gheenoe
Once you move up to the 15’6″ Classic, you are well past a cartopper and more onto a trailable skiff boat. While all Gheenoes look like canoes, the classic starts to look like a regular boat. It is considerably wider than the 13′ or 15’4″ (4′ 7″ beam vs. 3′ 8″) and is much heavier (an extra hundred pounds).
As it it wider, it’s going to be more, more, and more of everything that makes the smaller Gheenoe great. You can use a 25 HP motor, and can fit it with pretty much any option you could think of. It really transforms into a small boat. There are front deck or bench options and in the rear many folks opt for a raised poling platform for targeting various inshore fish on flats.
16′ Super
The 16′ Super Gheenoe is so large, it can actually accommodate a center console steering model if you’d like. This makes it much more of a flats boat than a canoe. The 16′ Super is 16′ in length with a 4′ 7″ beam and is rated for a 40HP motor as well as having a capacity for 650lbs. This makes it a “true” family Gheenoe where you can actually get the wife and both kids on comfortable.
The 16′ Super Gheenoe also comes standard with many “boat” features including a front deck, livewell, and bilge pump. Frankly, if you’re looking for a flats boat, this is a great option.
LT10
The type of Gheenoe that I own is the Low Tide 10, or LT10. It’s made by a slightly different company, “Custom Gheenoe.” You can read everything I love about it in an in-depth review I wrote here, but suffice it to say, it’s my personal favorite. Marketed as “the Gheenoe you need to see before you go buy that kayak,” it truly is a great option for small lakes and ponds.
At 15′ 10″ and 190lbs, this is a small enough Gheenoe to paddle, but can also handle up to a 10HP motor. I personally prefer the layout of these to both the 13′ and 15′ 4″ options available from the main site, though your preferences may differ.
While the manufacturer claims you can car top this, that would be a bit of an ordeal if you ask me. I’d certainly recommend buying the trailer. I’d recommend this model for parents with small kids who want to take them out on smaller lakes and ponds but don’t want to break the bank.
LT25
The Low Tide 25 is the largest Gheenoe offered at customgheenoe.com. While it’s only 2″ longer than the LT10, it is much wider (56″ compared to 45″) which allows more room for storage. Its width also allows you to choose either a tiller or a center/side console option for your steering. Rated for a 25HP motor, and only being about 80lbs heavier than the LT10 that can take a motor less than half that, this thing is going to fly through the water.
The LT25 would be a great option for someone who intends to use it on the flats looking for red fish or snook as it has a very shallow draft but can also accept the sort of engine that can get you to the best fishing spots quickly.
Conclusions
Regardless of which model Gheenoe you choose, you’re going to be getting a great boat for a much better price than you could find a dedicated bass boat or multispecies vessel these days. I hope this article helped you pick which one is best for you!
Thanks,
John Paxton
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