solo canoe. Asymmetrical canoes typically have the widest section behind the cen- tre of the boat creating a longer bow. This config- uration produces enhanced forward speed and tracking and is often seen in touring and performance boat designs.
canoes, however, can be harder to handle in windy conditions and will be heavier.
Rocker = Turnability Rocker influences the balance between how easily a boat turns and how well it travels straight. A straight keel line (the centre of the underside of a canoe from bow to stern) has no curve and thus, we would say has no rocker. This allows for exceptional tracking and is ideal for covering long distances in a straight line. A canoe with an extremely rockered keel line offers exceptional manoeuvrability.
Hull Symmetry
The shape of the bow where it cuts the water will affect the performance of a canoe. A very sharp, knife-like entry will cut through the water easily and provide less resistance. A blunt bow will add fullness and give buoyancy in waves, thus providing a drier ride. Looking from above, symmetrical canoes have identical bow and stern ends. A symmet- rical canoe has its widest point at the centre of the hull. This design offers more versatility because it can be paddled as a tandem or a
photo courtesy Scott Canoe Stern
Capacity Carrying capacity of a canoe is a function of how much weight the boat is able to displace while maintaining a mini- mum four-inch free- board. In order to
increase the overall capacity the boat needs to be wider, longer or deeper. Simply widening a boat without adjusting the length usually pro- duces adverse effects on the overall perform- ance. Increasing the length is usually the best overall solution, while increasing the depth can help as well. This is why cargo hauling, tripping boats are long and deep but not excessively wide.
Materials
Once you have chosen a canoe shape that best suites your paddling needs, deciding on a material for your canoe is a combination and compromise of the following factors: durability, cost, weight, aesthetics, and the shape requirements of the canoe. There are a staggering number of different materials used to make canoes including; wood, wood/canvas, polyethylene plastic, Royalex®, and composite canoes made with fibreglass, Kevlar® or graphite materials. Manufacturer’s catalogues and websites are filled with information and explanations on the merits of each. Material is directly tied to durability, which could mean any of the following; durability to abrasion from sandy landings, punctures from river rocks or long time exposure to UV rays or the joys of children. In most cases a more frag- ile material is going to require greater care. The price of a canoe can be influenced by the outfitting and trimmings but at its core is the material you choose. Cedar, for example, is rel- atively affordable as a raw material, but the time involved in producing a cedar strip canoe makes it expensive. Kevlar®, on the other hand, is a more expensive material that, using a mold, creates a canoe relatively quickly. In most cases, a more expensive boat material is
The Canoe Map Bow
Deck Plate
Seat
Thwart Molded Yoke photo by Dan Gavere courtesy Mad River Canoe
Gunwales photo by Graeme Oxby courtesy Langford Canoe
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