What features to look for in a touring canoe
Touring Canoes are typically designed for paddling longer distances, undertaking multi-day trips, and carrying gear efficiently. What features should you look for in a touring canoe:
- Length: Longer canoes track straighter and achieve better speed, making them more efficient for covering distance on open water, especially if you are carrying lots of gear. However, while typically 4.8 – 5.9m (16–19’), the offset to a longer or heavier canoe is having to propel it though the water.
- Hull Shape: Most canoes are symmetrical in shape and have identical bow and stern ends when viewed from above, with the widest point at the centre of the canoe. Designed with a shallow arch, slightly rounded, or flat-bottomed hulls offer good primary and some secondary stability, balancing performance and comfort. Flat bottoms feel stable when stationary but in moving water will feel less stable.
- Beam or Width: A wider canoe is more stable but usually somewhat slower. Most tripping/touring canoes are between 83-97cm, which provides a good mix of stability and performance. Touring canoes usually have only moderate rocker (the upward curve at the ends of the hull). Less rocker allows for better straight-line tracking; more rocker increases manoeuvrability. A balanced rocker helps the canoe handle varied water conditions.
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Capacity: Touring canoes are designed to hold both paddlers and a significant amount of gear, with higher freeboard (height above the waterline) to keep the canoe dry and to increase volume. A longer or wider canoe will usually have a higher or weight capacity allowing for one or two paddlers and gear.
- Material and Weight: Modern touring canoes are made from lightweight materials like Kevlar and carbon fibre. If you’re looking for a more durable material, advanced plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is recommended especially if undertaking portage or small rapids where impact is possible. It’s worth noting the canoe will need to be lifted to and from the water and off and onto the car or a trailer before and after your adventure. This may be a two-person task although there some load assist devices available to help.
- Seats and Thwarts: Seats are usually placed low in the boat to maximise stability but high enough for kneeling comfort. Given that canoe paddling can be for long periods, comfort and support with the a padded seat and an adjustable contoured backrest, like in the Riot Discovery Canoe ensuring a relaxed and ergonomic seating experience during your canoeing adventures. Often bench seats are used enabling better visibility and steering capability. Thwarts or cross-braces improve rigidity and aid in portaging; a shaped centre thwart helps when carrying the canoe.
- Gunwales: Strong, smooth gunwales are important since they reinforce the canoe, protect hands and paddles, and must withstand impacts. Materials might be wood, vinyl, or aluminium, each offering trade-offs in durability and maintenance.
Key features to consider include the space available and accessibility to your gear, the number of seats, and construction materials for durability. Ultimately, the best features depend on your specific touring needs such as distance, expected water conditions, whether you paddle solo or tandem, and how much gear you’ll carry. Looking for advice or have questions about the best features of canoes, phone or drop into PaddleZone.
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