Factors That Affect Performance and Handling

Single vs Double - Single canoes are generally 16’ in length or below, for handling reasons. Doubles and triples are much easier to handle with two or more paddlers.

Hard vs Inflatable - When buying a canoe, people frequently ask whether they should buy an inflatable or rigid boat. Both types have pros and cons.

> Inflatables are the first choice for many paddlers. They are easy to store and transport. They don’t hurt when and if you fall on them, and they don’t easily damage. For that reason, whitewater canoes are primarily inflatable. They are less expensive than hard boats, so are an entry point for people just getting into the sport.

> Hard/rigid canoes are more susceptible to dings and damage than inflatables. These boats are generally more stable than inflatable canoes and handle better in waves and choppy conditions. Further, they are less susceptible to being pushed around by wind. Inflatable canoes can be difficult to handle in windy conditions. See Weight and Construction below.

Hull Shape/Stability - Cross-section shape determines initial and final stability. Initial stability is how stable a canoe feels when upright in calm water. Final stability is how resistant a canoe is to capsizing even when on edge.

Freeboard - Freeboard is the distance between a canoe's gunwales, or side rails, and the water line. A higher freeboard keeps you drier in wind and waves but makes you more vulnerable to side winds. Lower freeboard has the opposite effect.

Length - Generally, the longer the boat, the faster it will travel through the water. However, the longer the boat, the less maneuverable it will be.

Beam - The wider the boat, the more stable it will be. However, the wider the boat the slower it will be, and require more effort to paddle.

Rocker - This is the amount of curvature that you can see if you view the bottom of the boat from the side, like the rail of a rocking chair. The more rocker means better turning ability. However, the more rocker the boat has, the less straight-line tracking ability it has.

Weight and Construction – Weight not only affects the handling of your canoe, but also affects your ability to load and unload your board to and from your vehicle, as well as carrying it to and from the water and portaging. As loading and unloading becomes more difficult, you will likely find that you use your canoe less and less.

>Inflatables - Inflatable canoes are ideal for beginners and are a great solution for paddlers tight on space. Their packability and portability are unparalleled. There is a range of blow-up canoe options, from recreational canoes to boats for remote expeditions. New technology such as drop stitching allows the inflatables to take more complex shapes, and they are made of materials durable enough to withstand heavy use. These are able to hold more pressure making them more rigid than the cheaper inflatables.

>Birch Bark/Skin - One of the oldest canoe materials is birch bark. They are some of the most beautiful boats around. They have been used by the indigenous peoples of North America due to its strength and abundance. Canoes are still made this way today but are very expensive, similar in price to Carbon fiber. Other skin materials stretched over wood frames, like canvas, are available as well. They require a significant amount of maintenance and are not as durable as most other materials.

>Wood - Wood canoes offer some of the most beautiful sights around. No other material is so long-lasting and completely restorable after generations of use, can be constructed with such fine lines, or is so responsive to paddle and pleasing to the eye. They do however require yearly maintenance to keep up those good looks. They are available ready-made or in kit form. Most are made of northern white cedar planking, with white spruce and ash for trim and seats, although other woods are available. These boats are also very expensive, similar in price to Kevlar.

>Aluminum - When it comes to durability, aluminum canoes come out on top as they're able to withstand bumps and knocks both in and out of the water. This durability makes them perfect for paddlers who are paddling off rocks or dragging their canoe along reefs or unsmooth surfaces. They are usually heavier than composites and are fairly expensive, noisy, and they can be hot to the touch under the hot Florida sun. These are made with two canoe sides that are riveted in the middle of the craft.

>Polyethylene - Polyethylene canoes are durable and low cost but very heavy, and not suitable for portaging or regular lifting on and off docks. Polyethylene has a high impact resistance and slips over rocks without sticking. They require very little maintenance but can become warped by prolonged exposure to the hot Florida sun, especially if stored improperly.

>Royalex - Although Royalex is no longer manufactured, there are still plenty of these used boats around. Due to its near-indestructibility, Royalex became the go-to material for whitewater boaters, summer camps, and remote expeditions. Lighter than polyethylene and with more variety of design than aluminum, Royalex is essentially a plastic sandwich made of layers of vinyl, plastic and rigid foam.

>T-Formex - T-Formex canoes are manufactured from multi-laminate sheets, painstakingly designed specifically for each model. All include a closed-cell, rigid foam core providing structure and bouyancy. T-Formex canoes are incredibly tough. This makes them ideal for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families and anybody who wants a very durable canoe. These canoes are much lighter than polyethylene or aluminum canoes and are built without the limitations those materials impose.

>Fiberglass - Canoes made of this material are known for their stiffness and, sharp entry/exit lines, which offer excellent efficiency in the water. Fiberglass construction usually involves layers of woven glass fabric bonded together with polyester resin. These layers are protected by outer gel coat is typically applied to fiberglass boats to enhance abrasion resistance and for coloration..

>Kevlar - Kevlar is a brand name of Aramid. Canoes made of this material are stronger and about 25% lighter than fiberglass, which can make a big difference on long trips and portages. Except for Carbon Fiber, Kevlar canoes are among the priciest available. Built like fiberglass hulls, layers of woven Kevlar fabric usually bonded together with epoxy resin. This results in a very rigid, lightweight, strong material that is also very fast in the water.

>Carbon Fiber - This is without a doubt the fastest, lightest, and most expensive option, canoes made from carbon lead the pack in speed and paddling efficiency. One of the drawbacks of carbon fiber, however, is that canoes made of this material can be brittle and can become subject to impact damage. Like Kevlar, layers of woven carbon fiber usually bonded together with epoxy resin.