Gheenoe
Gheenoe
Gheenoe /ˈɡiːnuː/ is the trademark name brand for a long, slender, shallow-draft boat design which is superficially similar to a canoe but is much more stable. The original 15'4" LOA and 44" beam hull utilizes an integral outrigger for enhanced stability over that of a canoe, while maintaining the shallow-water and paddle capabilities of a conventional canoe hull. The design includes a transom suitable for mounting a small outboard motor. The Gheenoe hull was designed by Harley Gheen, Sr., as a solution to using inherently unstable canoes when attempting to access shallow water areas for fishing, such as lagoons, marshes, and tributary streams and rivers.
The original Gheenoe designs are manufactured by Gheen Manufacturing, Inc. of Titusville, Florida, USA. Number of boats produced is said to be in the tens of thousands. [3] Gheenoe and Custom Gheenoe use the same dealer network which can be found in many states across the USA.
Harley "Pugar" Gheen Jr., son of Harley Gheen, expands upon his father's original designs operating Custom Gheenoe at his manufacturing facility Unlimited Glassworks, also located in Titusville, Florida. Both Gheenoe manufacturing facilities build customized and larger variations of the original Gheenoe.
Gheen Manufacturing Models: 13' Highsider 15'4" Highsider 15'6" Classic 16' Super
Custom Gheenoe Models: 16' Lo Tide 25 15'10" Lo Tide 10
Retired Models: 13' "Lowsider" 15'4" "Lowsider" Custom Gheenoe Lo Tide 15 Custom Gheenoe 15'4" NMZ (Same exterior hull as the 15'4" Highsider which is still produced by Gheen Manufacturing) Lowsider is the name given to older Gheenoe modes with lower gunnels than the currently produced Highsider.
The Lo Tide 15 may still be available by custom order but is not advertised by Custom Gheenoe.
The Advantage: All models are capable of being towed by small vehicles like a Honda Civic and float in very shallow water.
Gheenoes are extremely easy to operate and maintain.
With different models, one can outfit a Gheenoe for flats fishing and bass fishing but with so many recreational options that the majority of owners, most in Florida, use their Gheenoes for duck hunting, frog gigging, alligator hunting, scuba diving for scallops, lobstering, and water skiing/tubing.
Some have used Gheenoes for Sailfish, Kingfish, and Mahi-mahi.
Gheenoe Owners: Gheenoe owners are known for being passionate about their boats.
Commonly referred to as "a cult like following [4]" or the Gheenoe Army.
[5] This doesn't describe the majority of the owners but the ones who are active on the manufacture's forum and attend regular events such as the annual Big Gheenoe Rally.
Community: Each year the Gheen family picks a location and date to have the Big Gheenoe Rally.
Boats from all over come for the weekend to fish, explore, share stories, and there is a raffle on the main day.
There are also awards to the best boats in individual categories, such as best LT25.
there are also boats and accessories available for purchase
Ugliest Gheenoe: The cult like owners take a vote during the Big Gheenoe Rally and the two all time ugliest Gheenoes are nicknamed the brown turd & the black beer cooler.
Both vessels are currently equipped with 40 hp+ Mercs so nobody can see how ugly the boats really are.