to be faster, more efficient and track better. Flat-water paddlers looking for efficiency often choose asymmetrical canoes. Canoe entry lines: Entry lines of
a canoe’s bow and stern are usually described as narrow or full. Canoes with narrow lines are usually fast, efficient and tend to cut through the waves rather than ride over them. Canoes with a blunt or wider bow and stern will be slower but will handle waves and rapids more effectively. Canoe rocker: This is the de-
gree of curve to the keel line when viewed from end to end. Canoes with a flatter keel line will track better but will turn with more dif- ficulty. Conversely, canoes with a lot of rocker turn easily because their ends sit higher in the water, but do not track as well. Whitewater canoes tend to have lots of rocker and flat- water canoes tend to have almost none. Most canoes are a compro- mise of the two. Hull Shapes: Flat-bottom canoes
have the greatest wetted surface and most initial stability when pad- dling in calm water. However, when leaned, or in rough water, a flat- bottom canoe quickly becomes less stable, and can flip with little warn- ing. Flat-bottom hulls are generally best for beginners, fisherman and day paddlers with children or pets aboard. Round- and vee-bottom canoes
have the least wetted surface, so they feel less stable initially in calm water. However, they provide the most resistance to tipping when leaned, or in rough water. Round- or vee- bottom hulls are generally fast, efficient and are best for experienced paddlers or those aspiring to be. Shallow arch-bottom canoes are
a good compromise of the two hull shapes mentioned above, providing a good blend of both initial and
12 ottawaoutdoors
secondary stability. Shallow-arch hulls suit a wide range of skill levels for paddlers who want one canoe with good all-round performance.
Canoe shape above the water
line: The sides of a canoe above the waterline also affect performance. Flared sides shed water away from the canoe, while tumblehome provides a narrow beam at the gunnels allowing the paddler easier access to the water. Straight-sided canoes are a compromise of the two. Some canoes combine a number of these shapes. Keels or Not: Canoes with keels
track better and will boost the canoe’s resistance to side-slipping in crosswinds, as well as provide added hull protection. Keelless canoes turn more quickly but don’t track as well. Beginners, fisherman and families with children like the user- friendly feel of keels. Experienced and whitewater paddlers tend to prefer the manoeuvrability a keelless canoe provides. Generally speaking, as the user
skills increase, the need for a keel decreases – vee-hull canoes are keelless, but a good paddler can make one bite the water much like a keeled boat.
Canoe stem shape: The profile
of the bow or stern as seen from the side is called the stem. There are three basic stem shapes: plumb (vertical), raked (slanted) or re-curved. Each shape has its own advantages. A plumb design maximizes hull speed. A raked stem provides more volume in the ends for drier handling in waves. A re- curved stem has a traditional look and turns quicker. Carrying capacity: This is the
weight of people and gear a canoe can hold while still providing opti- mum performance and retaining at least six inches of freeboard for safety. Unfortunately, most
manufacturers vastly overstate capacity by listing weights hundreds of pounds too high. So, TEST-paddle first and determine which canoe meets your capacity needs. There’s no such thing as a perfect canoe, but by now you have fig- ured out that a canoe designed to excel in one area must compromise its performance in another. Happy shopping! «oo
~ Larry and Christine Showler are
lifelong paddlers with boats for sale from their Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTO CREDIT: ACCRETIONPOINT-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
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