Mack and friends, I spent 26 years hunting and fishing in Michigan where Sportspal/Radisson canoes are very popular. My hunting partner had a 14’ square stern Sportspal. I have hunted in that canoe many times. Radisson (this is the correct spelling) and Sportspal canoes are the same canoe except for a couple key differences: the Sportspal is made of a slightely heavier grade aluminum (but still very light). The Radisson is a lighter aluminum and is a bit more prone to a punch through if you strike a rock wrong. The second difference is that, at least in the past, Sportspals were marketed in the US and Radisson in Canada. On the website it looks like both are now made in Canada. In the Great Lakes states both brands are very popular with duck hunters due to their stability. As Mack mentioned, they do not paddle as well as a Mad River Canoe or OldTown, nor do they turn as quickly. That is the trade-off for the great stability. You will find Sportspals on Craigslist from Ohio north more frequently than Radissons. Enjoy your boat Mack. But I think you will want an electric motor or 2 horse gas motor for any longer run back up the Cape Fear River. Larry
thanks Larry, I fixed the spelling. I have wanted one of these 12 fters for years and i did want the radisson as I knew it was lighter and at my age lighter helps plus I dont plan on used it in rapids.
The Sportspal type canoe was originally designed (by an RCAF airframe engineer, to suit his hunting/fishing purposes in the bush) and was (continues to be) built in North Bay, Ontario At some point, the Canadian company sold the rights to manufacturer and sell them in the US to an American manufacturer. As such the Canadian product cannot be sold in the US as a "Sportspal" hence the "Radisson" brand. The American manufacturer developed their version of the original "Sportspal" using a different grade/weight of aluminum as you've pointed out. Some of the American manufactured boats have made their way into Canada and the used ones for sale usually point out the "heavier aluminum" construction.
Yup you have it right in Canada there were Sports Pals not Radissons. I think he was mixed up a bit. North Bay was pretty close to where I lived 90 miles max @@littleviking488
I have a 16-ft Radisson transom square-back that I love for tandem fishing adventures. You'd be surprised at how well that maneuvers the backwaters for bass and crappie fishing. It's kind of a tugboat to paddle as it's the biggest boat Radisson makes so I've found a trolling motor that works well with it. As I get older, though, some of these fishing kayaks I have weigh too much and I think a 12-ft Radisson might be on the horizon for me. Not for crazy portages, but more for some smaller pathways for put-ins and such. Thanks!
Thanks to your review, I bought a new 12' Radisson. The used ones I saw around me looked pretty beat up. I'll use it mostly on ponds for bass in Massachusetts. Thanks again, Steve
Thanks for the review…I may be getting an almost new one shortly once I go and see it! Looks good in an online picture but need to see it in person to size it up!
Great review Thank you. I am thinking of getting one, never thought I would as I am an old cedar canvas prospector style canoeist and solo most of the time. Yes in the bow facing the stern, I usually tip the boat over on it's side and just do the Jay stroke and never change sides. I am thinking it would be hard to do that in this boat as it is so stable and flat bottomed. Can you solo and manuever it well and hold a straight line ? Thanks subbed and hit the alarm.
It holds a fairly straight line but not like a slimmer canoe. It tracked better than I thought it one but not as good as others. I would not take it on a lake and try to paddle distance..... perfect for smaller bodies of water. Thanks for watching. Mack
LOL -I'm in the same "boat" - we have a 16 ft Temagami cedar and canvas canoe for general recreation use . As a younger person, living in Kapuskasing, we used to cringe at the Sportspal style canoes, short and beamy, "brichbark" look, etc. We all used Scott fibreglass and Kevlar canoes on the rivers in that region. Except for the serious fisherman in our group who saw the real utility in these little craft (but couldn't justify it then). Now nearing 70 yo, these light canoes with a motor mount are looking pretty attractive to get into small lakes for fishing...
@@MackinNC1 Sorry just reading your message now and thank you for your reply. That is what I wanted it for along the shoreline in some small body of water and quiet river. I think it will be perfect for that. Thanks again
@@littleviking488 Ha ha glad you have the same memory of these sportspals. I am getting up there also and yes great to get out and throw it in the back of the pickup and plop it in the lake or river all by ourselves. Will get out more and have some nice quiet time along the shoreline. I am from Muskoka and the cedar canvas was on the dock and did not have to portage much unless we went into Algonquin park or something of a 5 day week long trek and across big lakes. This one will be fun for sure
Mack and friends,
I spent 26 years hunting and fishing in Michigan where Sportspal/Radisson canoes are very popular. My hunting partner had a 14’ square stern Sportspal. I have hunted in that canoe many times.
Radisson (this is the correct spelling) and Sportspal canoes are the same canoe except for a couple key differences: the Sportspal is made of a slightely heavier grade aluminum (but still very light). The Radisson is a lighter aluminum and is a bit more prone to a punch through if you strike a rock wrong.
The second difference is that, at least in the past, Sportspals were marketed in the US and Radisson in Canada. On the website it looks like both are now made in Canada.
In the Great Lakes states both brands are very popular with duck hunters due to their stability. As Mack mentioned, they do not paddle as well as a Mad River Canoe or OldTown, nor do they turn as quickly. That is the trade-off for the great stability. You will find Sportspals on Craigslist from Ohio north more frequently than Radissons.
Enjoy your boat Mack. But I think you will want an electric motor or 2 horse gas motor for any longer run back up the Cape Fear River.
Larry
thanks Larry, I fixed the spelling. I have wanted one of these 12 fters for years and i did want the radisson as I knew it was lighter and at my age lighter helps plus I dont plan on used it in rapids.
The Sportspal type canoe was originally designed (by an RCAF airframe engineer, to suit his hunting/fishing purposes in the bush) and was (continues to be) built in North Bay, Ontario At some point, the Canadian company sold the rights to manufacturer and sell them in the US to an American manufacturer. As such the Canadian product cannot be sold in the US as a "Sportspal" hence the "Radisson" brand. The American manufacturer developed their version of the original "Sportspal" using a different grade/weight of aluminum as you've pointed out. Some of the American manufactured boats have made their way into Canada and the used ones for sale usually point out the "heavier aluminum" construction.
Yup you have it right in Canada there were Sports Pals not Radissons. I think he was mixed up a bit. North Bay was pretty close to where I lived 90 miles max @@littleviking488
Larry it is the reverse I believe Sportspal was Canadian originally. Most Americans get that mixed up for some reason ;-)
I have a 16-ft Radisson transom square-back that I love for tandem fishing adventures. You'd be surprised at how well that maneuvers the backwaters for bass and crappie fishing. It's kind of a tugboat to paddle as it's the biggest boat Radisson makes so I've found a trolling motor that works well with it. As I get older, though, some of these fishing kayaks I have weigh too much and I think a 12-ft Radisson might be on the horizon for me. Not for crazy portages, but more for some smaller pathways for put-ins and such. Thanks!
I have a ten ft and a 14 ft sports pal. I solo most the time and I use a kayak paddle. I love these boats for fishing in back waters.
Thnaks for watching. Mack
Thanks to your review, I bought a new 12' Radisson. The used ones I saw around me looked pretty beat up. I'll use it mostly on ponds for bass in Massachusetts.
Thanks again,
Steve
Thanks for watching Steve!!!
Thanks for the review…I may be getting an almost new one shortly once I go and see it! Looks good in an online picture but need to see it in person to size it up!
awesome!
SO YOURE THE ONE WHO SNAGGED IT!!! I'm in VB and saw the listing and once I reached out she was gone. Good on you man, great review!!!!
Thanks!!!
Congrats again! You got some great paddling partners there too. Look forward to seeing it more too.
Thanks !!
Nice boat Mack, good to see something new in this area and understand it’s functional performance.
it is going to work wonders in a few certain applications.
Good review of the boat Mack. Very thorough. looks like a good buy!
tks for watching BBP.
I have always wondered how good those boats where. Thanks for the review. 👍
No problem 👍
Congratulations on your find. I hope to snag one of these someday. Enjoy!
Thanks!
i just found one for sale for 300 bucks. hopefully in a few hours i will own it
Got mine for 325.......hope you get it.
Very excited to see this in action catching fish
This is one good fishing canoe for calm water.
Great review Thank you. I am thinking of getting one, never thought I would as I am an old cedar canvas prospector style canoeist and solo most of the time. Yes in the bow facing the stern, I usually tip the boat over on it's side and just do the Jay stroke and never change sides. I am thinking it would be hard to do that in this boat as it is so stable and flat bottomed. Can you solo and manuever it well and hold a straight line ? Thanks subbed and hit the alarm.
It holds a fairly straight line but not like a slimmer canoe. It tracked better than I thought it one but not as good as others. I would not take it on a lake and try to paddle distance..... perfect for smaller bodies of water. Thanks for watching. Mack
LOL -I'm in the same "boat" - we have a 16 ft Temagami cedar and canvas canoe for general recreation use . As a younger person, living in Kapuskasing, we used to cringe at the Sportspal style canoes, short and beamy, "brichbark" look, etc. We all used Scott fibreglass and Kevlar canoes on the rivers in that region. Except for the serious fisherman in our group who saw the real utility in these little craft (but couldn't justify it then). Now nearing 70 yo, these light canoes with a motor mount are looking pretty attractive to get into small lakes for fishing...
@@MackinNC1 Sorry just reading your message now and thank you for your reply. That is what I wanted it for along the shoreline in some small body of water and quiet river. I think it will be perfect for that. Thanks again
@@littleviking488 Ha ha glad you have the same memory of these sportspals. I am getting up there also and yes great to get out and throw it in the back of the pickup and plop it in the lake or river all by ourselves. Will get out more and have some nice quiet time along the shoreline. I am from Muskoka and the cedar canvas was on the dock and did not have to portage much unless we went into Algonquin park or something of a 5 day week long trek and across big lakes. This one will be fun for sure
Impressive boat. i can where that would be ideal for a lot of places.
Yep, I have several in mind that are fairly long carries and a cart in these places isnt practical. .....
Nice Canoe Mack....
Thanks 👍
The sit inside foam chairs are so worth it. Let your wife face you. Enjoy the day.
tks for watching. Mack