MATERIALS A variety of materials are used to make canoes.
Your choice of material should be based on the durability, cost, weight, aesthetics and shape requirements of the canoe.
WOOD CANOES DIMENSIONS
The dimensions of a canoe roughly determine the craft’s speed, stability and seaworthiness.
LENGTH = SPEED: All other things being equal, the longer the boat, the faster it will travel through the water. Longer canoes also track better, while shorter canoes are generally lighter and turn more easily.
WIDTH = STABILITY: Wider boats tend to offer more primary stability while narrower boats are sleeker, making them faster and more efficient.
DEPTH = CAPACITY AND DRYNESS: Depth influences freeboard and thereby seaworthiness. A deep canoe will hold more gear, stay dryer and resist swamping. However, a deeper boat is harder to handle in windy conditions.
CAPACITY = LxWxD: Carrying capacity is a measure of how much weight a canoe is designed to displace while maintaining at least six inches of freeboard. Making the canoe longer, deeper or wider can increase capacity although the latter also increases drag.
These canoes are built using cedar strips, canvas or birch bark.
PROS: Made with beautiful craftsmanship, they are traditional looking and authentic.
CONS: Wood canoes tend to require more maintenance and are more expensive.
WHO? These are best for canoeists willing to take extra care of their boat and sacrifice durability and weight for beauty and heritage.
HIGH-END COMPOSITES Kevlar and carbon blends make up this category.
PROS: Canoes made from these advanced materials are lightweight and tough.
CONS: Kevlar and carbon tend to be pricier than most other materials.
WHO? The performance-oriented nature of these materials make them the choice of racers and trippers looking for efficiency and speed.
WHICH ONE SHOULD I BUY?
Ask yourself what kind of canoeing you’ll be doing before visiting your local retailer or builder’s shop. Are you looking for family fun at the lake? Tripping on a northern river? How about reeling in a prize-winning trout? Knowing what you want out of a canoe will help you choose from boats built with specific activities in mind. Many outlets offer test paddles. Trying before you buy will give
you an understanding of how different designs perform and help you make the right selection. There are also many trim options available. Molded or adjustable
seats and sculpted yokes can affect the performance of a canoe. Other options, like wood gunwales or wicker seats, serve the same function as vinyl or webbing but provide improved aesthetics. By understanding how the design elements affect performance,
you can identify the canoe that’s right for you. If you take your time and do it right, you’ll be thanking yourself for a lifetime. » Canoeroots Eds.
ALUMINUM, FIBERGLASS AND POLYETHYLENE
PROS: These materials are hard-wearing and less expensive.
CONS: They tend to be on the heavier side.
WHO? They are right at home with the needs of recreational and sport canoeists. ROYALEX
Royalex is made up of layered ABS plastic, vinyl and a foam core.
PROS: These canoes are exceptionally durable and can be returned to their original shape after a hard impact.
CONS: Heavy.
WHO? Royalex canoes are ideal for recreational whitewater paddlers.
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