Not to stir up the "what constitutes a pirogue?" debate from last year, but does anyone own an actual, no-kidding, real life pirogue? If so, do you only use it for poling shallow water or do you paddle it on bigger water?

I have a very old pirogue that was for my grandfather. I don't use it much anymore, but did use it for shallow water hunting and fishing for many years. Never used it for any deep water anything.

I've got 2, only use them for shallow water, most of the time I use them just to pack stuff in.

I have one place that you have to walk for 1/4 mile thru 1 ft deep water that runs into a knee to waist deep slough where you have to wade another 1/4 mile to get to the best spot. If I have 5 or 6 guys we pile all of our gear in one of them and pull it along behind us or walk along side it in deeper water, it will float loaded down in less than a foot of water.

I have had my bigger wider pirogue in deep water but the pond was only a 2 or 3 acres. I wouldn't get out on a lake in it.

I like where your head's at using one as a gear sled, hayraker. I have one place in particular where that would be handy.

I have a 14 Ft. Pirogue that I hunt have hunted out of for years. I have walked it in and paddled it in all sorts of areas. I grew up in LA across a bayou from one of the wildlife refuges - the best public access was 4 miles away, but we just paddled across the bayou.

I have paddled it across several larger lakes in DFW during Nov-Jan when I probably shouldn't have - but I have my pirugue modified a bit from the older ones. I have enclosed compartments bow & stern with access (also acts as flotation), seat, added removeable trolling motor bracket & stabalizers to it.

With none of my extras it is under 50 lbs unloaded.

I also built a kayak carrier for it and can load up and haul it overland for any walk-in spots that I want to get in a bit deeper than the trails provide access to and is too deep for waders.

I used it "fishing" this summer to scout areas that I wanted to hunt later. I got swamped a couple of times this past summer in the middle of the lake due to people in larger boats not paying attention.

There is a good builders forum at http://www.neilbank.com/phpBB3/ with some builds and more information on some modifications.

I used to have one that I bought from:

http://www.pirogue.com/

It was about 10 years ago and we used it at Lavon to put some decoys out. I fell out of the damn thing one time and damn near died.

But it was a great unit.

Now ya done it! Got me teary eyed. From 5th grade to 8th, I'd ride the bus past Chapman's shop everyday. Hadn't heard if he reopned, but he does make some good pirogues.

Personnaly, for the price, I'd look at a Kiak that Academy sells. It's more stable and lighter. Bot don't get me wrong, I've thought about building one out of wood. I've got some good plans somewhere.

It was interesting to read the splash page for Ron Chapman's website. They go into detail about all the problems they are still having because of Katrina.