Canoe Buyer's Guide
Finding the right canoe can seem like a daunting task. There are countless styles, sizes and construction materials to ponder. Buying the right canoe starts with determining what type of paddling you plan on doing the most. Canoe types range from your basic recreational canoe to more specialized canoes designed for racing, fishing or expeditions. Where you will paddle should also be a factor in determining canoe type. Whitewater and river canoes are designed to maneuver easily in fast moving water and rapids. Wider, more stable recreational canoes are ideal for lakes and slow moving rivers.
Once you determine the type of canoe you want to buy, construction materials is the next factor to consider. Canoes are made from a wide range of materials, each with their own benefits. The most common construction materials include aluminum, polyethylene, Royalex, fiberglass, Kevlar and wood. The cost and weight of a canoe can vary greatly depending on the material used.
Other factors to consider are how stable the canoe is, how well it tracks through the water, and length. Typically, the wider a canoe is the more stable it feels on the water. Tracking, or how well the canoe moves across the surface of the water, is often sacrificed for increased stability. The length of the canoe you are looking for will likely be determined by the type, how many passengers you will want to accommodate and how much gear you will carry. Longer canoes, over 20 feet, are more difficult to maneuver, but can carry plenty of gear for overnight expeditions or fishing trips. Shorter canoes, under 10 feet, are usually easier to maneuver in fast water.
Canoe Types
Recreational Canoes
Recreational canoes are designed for paddling in calm water like lakes and slow moving rivers. These canoes are typically shorter and wider than other canoes, making them more stable and great for beginning paddlers.
Fishing Canoes
Most canoes can be outfitted for fishing, but canoes made specifically for fishing are already rigged with rod holders, bait wells, and mounts for trolling motors. You will want to look for a fishing canoe that is stable with a low center of gravity to make it easy to cast from.
Whitewater Canoes
Whitewater canoes are designed to be paddled safely in fast moving rivers. Features of whitewater canoes include extreme rockers which make the canoe fast and agile. Whitewater canoes typically have flared sides to make for a drier ride. Maneuverability is a more important factor to consider than tracking.
Expedition Canoes
Expedition canoes are made to travel long distances in comfort. Designed with moderate rockers for increased tracking, these canoes paddle with ease even when loaded down with gear. Longer and narrower than most other canoe designs, expedition canoes are made to cut through the water with minimal effort. You will want to look for an expedition canoe with ergonomic seats and plenty of storage space.
Racing Canoes
Racing canoes are long, narrow and have an asymmetrical shape. These canoes are designed to track exceptionally well and glide across the water with minimal effort. The best racing canoes are made from lightweight Kevlar or carbon fiber.
River Canoes
River canoes are made for paddling swift moving water. Slightly longer than whitewater canoes, river canoes have flared sides to deflect spray and usually do not have a keel. These canoes usually have an extreme rocker at both the bow and stern, making it easy to maneuver.
Canoe Materials
Aluminum
Though aluminum is a lightweight metal, it’s one of the heaviest options for a canoe. Less expensive than lighter materials, aluminum is a low-price option for flat water and calm conditions. Aluminum canoes stand up to sunlight and temperature extremes better but are scratched relatively easily and dent if hit hard enough.
Polyethylene and Royalex
Polyethylene is a lightweight, flexible, and inexpensive plastic composite. Polyethylene is the heavier of the plastic composites, but is very durable and easier to repair than Royalex. Canoes made from polyethylene tend to scratch easily because this material is a lot softer than other composites.
Royalex canoes are made from a layered plastic with a foam core. Royalex is lightweight and durable, making it able to take a beating in almost any conditions. These particular canoes have a vinyl skin that can be abraded easily and is susceptible to the damages associated with exposure to sunlight over long periods of time.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass canoes were once as common as aluminum canoes until the dawn of plastic composites and Kevlar. Fiberglass canoes range in price depending on whether or not they are composites. Fiberglass alone can easily be damaged and is sensitive to light and extreme temperatures. Fiberglass composites blended with Kevlar are more durable. These canoes are lightweight and relatively inexpensive but difficult to repair.
Kevlar
You might know Kevlar as the lightweight material found in bulletproof vests and it’s also one of the most durable materials a canoe can be made from (as well as one of the most expensive). You should consider Kevlar if you are planning on paddling in extreme conditions or are in the market for a lightweight racing canoe. Because Kevlar shreds like fiberglass when damaged, most Kevlar canoes have an outer coating of fiberglass or plastic composite to protect the hull.
Wood
Typically made from cedar or birch, wood canoes are expensive but have a rustic, natural beauty to them. While they’re easy to repair with some training, wood canoes do require quite a bit of maintenance and don’t fare well with continual exposure to sunlight. Wood canoes are best for paddling calm waters since the hulls can be damaged easily in extreme conditions like whitewater.