I just got a square back canoe last week when they were on special at Crappy Tire. What's old is new again, because I used to have a Coleman Scanoe when I lived in NB.
They are handy for getting to spots across lakes where the hunting pressure is low. Despite having a 800-900 lb capacity, moose calves take a couple of trips because of the size. I've never had the opportunity to transport anything over 350-400 lb. with one.
An added plus is the fishing.
Half a moose calf???? What the hell do you take out there???
My Grumman 18' has transported an entire! 8 year old (by tooth ring), 56 inch spread Alaska/Yukon bull (a lot bigger than yours- probably around 550 lbs dressed weight)) plus partner, Lab (he was the nervous one), and all our (minimalist) camp.
The heavier you load a canoe, the more stable but ungainly it gets. (It helps to tuck a poly-tarp tight in against the load to shed water coming over the gunnels).
You got something against 8" of freeboard???? If you do, 4 inches of freeboard should be avoided...
