so because it provides durability and is light- weight.
In an ideal world, all canoes would portage on our shoulders with only featherweight. The construction material and amount of material used in the construction of the hull influences the weight of a canoe. Given the same type of material, a larger boat will weigh more. The selection of a lighter material can greatly reduce the overall weight of a canoe but may reduce durability and increase cost. Even after rationally evaluating all of the above, to many people canoeing is really about aesthetics. The canoe is a significant part of our heritage and the lure of wood or wood/canvas canoes pulls on our sentimental Canadiana strings. Many paddlers are still will- ing to take a little more care and carry a little more weight for the simple pleasure of pad- dling a more authentic boat.
The Trimmings Wooden gunwales, wicker seats, sculpted yokes and cherry deck plates will make any boat look aesthetically beautiful, but what do these features actually do? Well the reality is that not all trim options can be held up against performance and handling of the boat. Some simply impart an overall feel for the craft— increasing the intrinsic value of ownership or the show room appeal of buying one. Gunwales protect the outer most edge of the canoe. They provide support and rigidity to the entire hull. Aluminum and vinyl gunwales require little maintenance while wood requires a little TLC at the end of each paddling season to keep them in top condition. A quick sanding and reapplication of finishing oil usually does the trick.
Seats are what connect you to the boat. A good seat should be comfortable and securely fastened to the hull of the boat. Many seats are adjustable in height and fore and aft position. Plastic seats are generally less expensive but allow you to slide around. Many boat manufac- turers use a combination of a wooden frame with a canvas, wicker or plastic material woven together to form the seat area. Some manufac- turers use moulded composite materials to save weight while providing a form-fitted seat.
Yokes
The yoke is the crosspiece in the centre of the boat used during a solo canoe carry. Yokes, along with thwarts (the other cross pieces), are most often made from wood. Other materials sometimes used include plastic and aluminum. Yokes that have moulded contours make carrying the canoe on your shoulders more comfortable.
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