Carbon shape
A cross-section illustrates how the shape of the bottom and sides of the canoe will determine its primary and secondary stability and performance characteristics. A canoe with primary stability is initially very stable, however, if leaned too far, it quickly upsets. Canoes with secondary stability offer better performance and stability while on edge, useful for whitewater and rough-water paddling.
FLAT-BOTTOMED Offers great primary stability but sacrifices speed and rough-water performance, ideal for recreation and sport canoeists.
SHALLOW ARCH Designed for all-round performance. Maintains a good balance between primary and secondary stability.
ROUND BOTTOM Found in specialized racing designs. Great speed and efficiency but very little primary stability.
FLARE Flared hull sides help to deflect water, keeping the canoe dry.
STRAIGHT A balance between the paddling efficiency of tumblehome and the dryness of flare.
TUMBLEHOME Sides that curve inward toward the gunwales, allowing closer placement of the paddle to the hull.
ROCKER Describes the upward curve of the bow and stern. Rocker determines the manoeuvrability of the canoe.
For instance, a canoe with more rocker turns easily and is ideal for whitewater, whereas a canoe with less rocker tracks well and is suitable for racing and long- distance lakewater travel.
Hull Symmetry
SYMMETRICAL Canoes that have identical bow and sterns ends. This design offers versatility because it can be paddled solo or tandem.
ASYMMETRICAL Typically has the widest section behind the centre of the canoe creating a longer bow. This shape increases forward speed and tracking, ideal for touring and performance canoes.
materials
There is a wide array of materials used to make canoes. Once you have chosen a design that suits your needs, your choice of material will be based on durability, cost, weight and aesthetics.
Wood Canoes CEDAR STRIP, CANVAS, BIRCHBARK
PROS: Beautiful craftsmanship and organic authenticity.
CONS: Higher maintenance and more expensive.
WHO? Canoeists willing to put in more time for maintenance and sacrifice durability and weight for beauty.
High-End Composites KEVLAR, CARBON/GRAPHITE BLENDS PROS: Lightweight and tough.
CONS: Kevlar and carbon can be quite expensive. Fibreglass less so. WHO? Trippers and racers.
Royalex
CONS: Heavy. WHO? Whitewater paddlers.
Aluminum, Fibreglass and Poly- ethylene PROS: Less expensive. Durable. CONS: Often heavy. WHO? Recreational and sport canoeists.
Which one should I buy?
Before wandering into your local outdoor retailer or canoe manufacturer, take time to determine what type of canoeing you would like to do. Can you picture yourself taking your grandchildren fishing at the cottage, embarking solo through the wilds of the Boundary Waters or travelling with your family into La Vérendrye on a weekend vacation? Each activity requires a very different canoe so it’s important to know what you want.
Be wary of the “a canoe is a canoe” sales pitch or the “does it all” model. Numerous retailers and manufacturers offer test paddles, so try before you buy.
Take a look at the options available to you. Some trim options, such as moulded, adjustable seats and sculpted yokes, affect the performance and handling of the boat. Others, such as wooden gunwales, wicker seats and cherry deck plates, serve the same function as aluminum or vinyl, but improve the elegance of the canoe.
It’s important to identify which performance characteristics are important to you before taking the plunge. If you take your time and do it right you’ll be thanking yourself for a lifetime.
—Canoeroots editors
www.canoerootsmag.com 33 Polyethylene Birchbark
PROS: Durable. Can usually be returned to shape after a hard impact.
Cedar Fibreglass Kevlar
MATERIALS: HANDCRAFTED CANOE
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