Right now I have a very old, heavy canoe, and a very old, 14' v-bottom boat with a very old 10 horse motor on it. I have decided to spend a sum of money and can either buy a new canoe, or put a down payment on a decent motor boat. I'm really at a place where I can only have one or the other, and will probably have to wait a few years before the unchosen option this time around becomes feasible. I was wondering if you guys can share some opinions on what you would do if you had to make such a choice, and why. I realize this is a canoe site, so I'm kind of guessing most of you are canoeists at heart, but I'm wondering if you can sway me one way or the other. The canoe I'm thinking about getting is a Merrimack Traveler, to be used primarily in Quetico Provinicial Park, and on rivers and lakes in my home state of Wisconsin. I'll probably also post this on solotripping.com also. Thanks in advance.

In my particular case I would probably go with the boat. I happen to have a kayak so I can get my paddling jones satisfied with that. It is better for me to rent a kevlar as opposed to car topping 1100 miles. I'll bet a fishing boat would come in handy if I lived somewhere worth fishing!

You sound like you need some help deciding. My advice is to ask your wife or girlfriend what to do. They are usually quite helpful in helping you spend your dough....... (don't come cryin to me if you end up with neither and instead have a new flatscreen  )

I and my extended family (95 yr old Grandpa to 28 year old son) live on an island and we are up to our eyeballs in boats(5), motors(5), canoes(3) and kayaks(7) and one stand-up paddle board.    So far this spring we have had 3 motors repaired; the old small 10 hp motor the only one not needing attention.  Our smallest boat is a 14 foot light weight aluminum fishing boat which is actually more unstable than a canoe for being tippy.  We seldom use it.

I agree with solotripper, it depends on what you do most in your water craft (fish? sight-seeing? traveling) and who and how many persons might be coming along with you.  I would pick the one you would use the most and factor in repairs, gas, trailering and storage, and what you would do if your craft broke down.  Unless it is a very nice day even an 18 foot fishing boat can be impossible to row anywhere if the motor breaks down.  Kayaks are difficult to fish from.  Personally I find the canoe/kayak the most dependable transportation simply because unless your arm is broken you will eventually make it to your destination at minimal cost.