FREEDOM 17
BEAR MOUNTAIN BOATS
www.bearmountainboats.com
Asymmetrical hull. The gently rockered profile lets the boat turn easily. A good solo boat but most often used by avid canoe trippers. Fast, respon- sive, easy to build.
LENGTH 17’
MATERIAL woodstrip/epoxy WEIGHT 45 lbs
CAPACITY 150–510 lbs PRICE D.I.Y. kit $1,800 CDN
CLIFF JACOBSON (LEFT) STANDS BY HIS BENT SHAFT. PHOTO: CLIFF JACOBSON KEVIN CALLAN LOVES HIS STRAIGHT. PHOTO: KEVIN CALLAN
SEGUIN 16
BEARWOOD CANOES
www.bearwoodcanoes.com
CJ: The fact is, every performance-minded canoeist on the planet prefers a bent shaft for racing, cruising and general all-round canoeing. Even your precious J stroke is best done bent. Why? Because the bent blade runs partly under the canoe during the stroke, whereas a straight blade runs alongside. It is a canoeing axiom that the closer to the keel line you paddle, the less directional correction is needed.
Regardless of how you paddle, the efficiency of bent blades beats straight shafts hands- down. A straight paddle lifts water at the end of the stroke, slowing the canoe. With a bent paddle, the water is pushed nearly straight back.
PARRY
KC: I respect the physics behind the bent shaft. However, I’ve never cared about how fast I go while out there.
Speaking of physics, bent shafts are crap when it comes to maneuverability—try one in fast water or to turn quickly. A straight blade acts the same in both directions. If you’re doing a draw and immediately want to pry, you can. It’s the difference between wrapping your canoe around a rock mid- rapid or running a perfect line.
CJ: It’s not about speed. It’s about efficiency and being kind to your body. Paddling a straight shaft is all pull back. With a bent paddle, it’s more push down. This reduces stress on your arms and back. There is also less twisting of the shaft and your hand during the stroke, minimizing carpal
tunnel and tennis elbow injuries. This is a huge advantage if you are paddling solo for hours at a time. As to maneuverability, I’ll reluctantly concede that for serious rapids, straight blades do rule.
COUP DE GRÂCE
KC: I generally keep myself healthy and fit by paddling a lot and not forcing each stroke. I can’t think of anything more relaxing and effortless than Canadian stroking down a lake with a five- to six- inch-wide straight shaft, wooden paddle. Call using a traditional paddle crazy. Or accept it as a choice that reflects the real reason we go on canoe trips in the first place—to slow down.
But heck, if Cliff and I go paddling together, it would work out perfect if he was in the bow with the power of a bent shaft and I was in the stern with the poise of a straight shaft. We’d be like a married couple dancing across the lake.
CJ: Yeah, Kevin, I get it. What a deal! I’m actually all for slowing down. Frankly, I find that lollygagging along with a bent shaft is far more relaxing. But then, I use a pitch stroke that maximizes the advantage of the bent blade.
Kevin won’t like me having the last word, but for all you non-Luddites I’d like to share this final tip: There are good and bad bent shaft paddles. My favorites are made of carbon fiber and have 12-degree bends. » Canoeroots Eds.
Designed after the Chestnut Pal, this is a roomy tandem canoe with moderate rocker, suitable for both day and overnight trips. Also available in lightweight Dacron.
LENGTH 16’
MATERIAL wood/canvas WEIGHT 60 lbs CAPACITY –
PRICE $5,400 CDN
GUNWALE WIDTH 35” WATERLINE WIDTH 35” BOW DEPTH –
CENTER DEPTH 13” STERN DEPTH –
FREEDOM EXPLORER BLUEWATER
www.bluewatercanoes.com
You don’t have to paddle across the country if you own one of these canoes, although some people have. Greater carrying capacity for more kids, dogs and of course, more stuff!
LENGTH 17’9”
MATERIAL Gold Infusion WEIGHT 58 lbs
CAPACITY 400–680 lbs PRICE $3,039 CDN
GUNWALE WIDTH 36” WATERLINE WIDTH 32” BOW DEPTH 21” CENTER DEPTH 14” STERN DEPTH 18”
BOUNDARY WATER
CLASSFIVE BOATS
www.classfiveboats.com
Fantastic for extended trips. Superior glide and affordable.
LENGTH 17’2”
MATERIAL fiberglass WEIGHT 69 lbs
CAPACITY 825 lbs PRICE $626 US • $636 CDN EXPEDITION
COMPOSITE CREATIONS
www.compositecreations.ca
A deep, wide, flat bottom, moderate rockered boat allows for lots of gear and a dry ride across the lake or down the river. A very stable yet nimble canoe.
LENGTH 16’1”
MATERIAL Kevlar/vinylester WEIGHT 53 lbs
CAPACITY 1,000 lbs PRICE $2,499 CDN
GUNWALE WIDTH 36” WATERLINE WIDTH 34” BOW DEPTH 20” CENTER DEPTH 14” STERN DEPTH 20”
www.canoerootsmag.com 41
GUNWALE WIDTH 37” WATERLINE WIDTH 35” BOW DEPTH 17.5“ CENTER DEPTH 15” STERN DEPTH 17.5”
GUNWALE WIDTH 32.5” WATERLINE WIDTH 31.75” BOW DEPTH 19.25” CENTER DEPTH 13.25” STERN DEPTH 19.25”
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