A trip to your local boating and whitewater outfitter may be an eye-opening experience. If you're new to the sport, there are probably more types of canoes and kayaks than you knew existed. Cleve Dixon, boating specialist with REI, answers some of John Nickel's questions about canoes, paddles and other equipment.
Canoes
Canoes come in varying styles, sizes and component materials. Different canoes suit different activities and skill levels. The one you select will depend on how serious you are about the sport and the type of canoeing you intend to do.
The first step is to decide what type of canoeing you think you'll enjoy most -- whitewater, fishing, camping expedition or just plain fun.
Following are the main variables you'll observe among canoes as you begin your selection process: - Material
- Width
- Length
- Seating capacity
- Shape of the hull.
The three main materials used in modern canoes are polyethylene, royalex and composite hulls. - Polyethylene hulls are durable and affordable. Because they're fairly inexpensive, polyethylene canoes (figure A) are preferred by many families. They begin in price around $500.
- Royalex, a specialized plastic used to make molded canoe hulls (figure B), is a bit stiffer than polyethylene. Canoes made from Royalex range from $900 to $1,500.
- Composite hulls are made from either fiberglass or kevlar. These tend to be the most expensive, starting at around $2,000.
In terms of width, the wider the canoe hull (figure C), the more stable the boat will initially be. Narrower boats will be less stable but faster, more maneuverable and easier to paddle.
Length will also relate to speed and maneuverability. Longer canoes tend to be faster in the water, while shorter ones are more agile and maneuverable.
Curvature of the hull will also have an impact on the speed of the boat and its secondary stability -- i.e., how far it can tip and then recover.
Paddles
Paddles may be made of solid wood, laminated wood, fiberglass and other materials.
Besides the material, there are two basic style choices: the familiar straight-shaft paddle and the bent-shaft paddle. The bent-shaft paddle (figure D) is designed to increase paddling efficiency on flat water. When using a bent shaft, the bend should face outward, away from the paddler (despite the fact that it looks to most people like it should be held the other way). It's designed to keep the blade vertical in the water for the longer part of the stroke.
The length of paddle must suit the size and physique of the paddler. To determine the proper length of paddle, the paddler should be able to sit in the boat and comfortably make a forward stroke. At that position, with the blade fully buried in the water, the outstretched grip-hand and arm should be at the paddler's eye level (figure E). Smaller and lighter paddles are available for children.
Paddle shafts may be round or oval. Paddle grips come in standard T-grip design or contoured palm-grip (figure F).
RESOURCES :
REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.)
A comprehensive site with equipment and clothing for camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, fly fishing, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and other outdoor activities.
REI
Sumner, WA 98352-0001
Website: www.rei.com
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (GORP) -- paddling; canoeing
Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (GORP) is an informational Web site about outdoor activities.
Below is the link to their section on canoeing.
Web site: www.gorp.com/gorp/activity/paddle.htm
Canoe and Kayak magazine online
The online version of Canoe and Kayak magazine.
Web site: www.canoekayak.com/
paddling.net
Online canoeing and kayaking information including buyers' guide, product reviews, outfitters, etc.
Web site: www.paddling.net
American Canoe Association
Web site: www.acanet.org
Links re: International Scale of River Difficulty
Web sites:
www.canoeclub.barrie.on.ca/mwscale.htm
http://members.aol.com/boatful/ratings.htm
US Geological Survey page on U.S. streams
Web site: http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/
National Oceanographic and Aeronautic Administration (NOAA) River-conditions info
Web site: www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hic/current/river_flooding/index.shtml
Canoeing : The Complete Guide to Equipment and Technique
Model: 0811724263
Author: David Harrison
Stackpole Books
Website: www.stackpolebooks.com
Basic Essentials Canoe Paddling, 2nd Edition (Basic Essentials Series)
Model: 0762706627
Author: Harry Roberts, Steve Salins
The Globe Pequot Press
Old Saybrook, CT 06475
Phone: 203-395-0440
Fax: 203-820-2329
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