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Parts and Accessories of a Canoe

Renier — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:45:59 +0000

A canoe and its cousin the kayak maybe the simplest types of boats ever made, but as simple as a canoe is, it’s still composed of at least 7 main parts and several other optional parts. So before learning how to canoe, start by familiarizing yourself with canoe parts first.

Canoe Bow

The bow is a nautical term pertaining to the forward part of a canoe or any other boat’s hull. A canoe’s bow is usually pointed and has exactly the same shape as its opposite: the stern.

Canoe Stern

The stern of a canoe is the opposite of the bow; it’s the backmost portion of a canoe where a tiller and a rudder are sometimes attached. If you’re learning how to canoe, the very first challenge you’re going to encounter is how to get into a canoe without causing the canoe to roll dropping you on the side like a heavy load. To save yourself from looking the water’s cold embrace while learning how to canoe, simply embark on the boat through the bow. You can learn how to get in the canoe on the sides later.

Canoe Hull

You can say that the hull is the main body of a canoe or any boat. The hull is hollow to generate all the buoyancy a boat needs to float. Since a canoe is a simple boat, the hull serves as its main structure or its deckhouse too.

Canoe Seat

To make yourself comfortable, you need a seat, which is usually wooden, in a canoe. The number of seats will depend on the size of the canoe. And in white water canoes, the seats maybe made of foam instead of wood.

Canoe Thwart

A thwart is a horizontal crossbeam that sits above the hull and is fasten on either side of a canoe. A thwart strengthens a canoe’s hull; a canoe’s seat is technically a thwart too. If you’re still learning how to canoe, you’re reminded not to use the thwart to brace or to rest your foot because you can break it.

Canoe Gunwale

A gunwale is the strip covering the rim of a canoe’s hull. Its main purpose is to add aesthetic value to a canoe and to cover the otherwise relatively sharp rim of its hull. Canoe gunwales are usually made of aluminum, polyester, or wood. Gunwale is pronounced as “gunnel” that closely rhymes with “tunnel.”

Canoe Deck

Canoe decks are the covered portion of the bow and the stern that usually hides a floatation device that stops the canoe from sinking in case of swamping or capsizing. You can sit on a canoe’s bow, but it’s safer to sit on the seat itself, and it’s easier to steer the canoe if there is no load on ether bow.

Optional Parts of a Canoe

Aside from the 7 main parts of a canoe, modern canoes can have optional parts for added comfort and safety. These are the following:

Yoke – A yoke is thwart or a seat added just off the center of a canoe to accommodate a person to steer the canoe.

Keel – A keel runs from bow to stern and is located at the bottom of the canoe; it serves as the main structure or support of the boat.

Skid plate – A skit plate is usually a Kevlar that covers the bottom of the canoe; it protects the hull from abrasion and minor banging of the hull against rocks or sand.

These are the main and the optional parts of canoe that you should be familiar about if you want to learn how to canoe. Learning how to canoe is usually easier if you know where to sit and maneuver inside a canoe.

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Experience Canoeing in Maine

Renier — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:59:57 +0000

If you want to go canoeing in North America, hands down, there’s no better place to go than Maine. The hundreds of lakes, thousands of miles of streams and rivers, dams, coastlines, and the breathtaking scenery of the protected area will surely captivate your soul. If there’s one thing that Maine is good at, it’s the great outdoors adventure, and canoeing in Maine is among the top favorite fun and thrill experience.

Great Places for Canoeing in Maine

Coming up with the list of great places for canoeing in Maine is not easy—every place is a good place for canoeing in Maine. But some spots are just a little more favorite of regular canoeing vacationers than others. Maine’s Allagash River sits at the top favorite places for canoeing in Maine; the river is enchanting enough for Henry David Thoreau to find inspiration in writing his book, “The Maine Woods.” Another favorite is the Acadia National Park where you can watch America’s Bald Eagle and marvel at the scenery while you paddle the calm waters of the coast. Adroscoggin, Machias , Moose, Saco River, Sheepscot, St. Croix, and Umbagog Lake also offer a one of kind canoeing experience in Maine.

Guided Canoeing in Maine

Vacationers in Maine are always advised to book guided canoeing tours not just to ensure safety but to make the best of your canoeing experience in Maine. Only a Maine native can introduce you to the coveted canoeing spots that are right for your taste. Only an experienced guide can introduce to you the plants and wildlife unique to Maine; these guided canoeing tours are a great bonding experience for the whole family.

Preparations to Make before Canoeing in Maine

Although canoeing in Maine isn’t a test of endurance, it pays to prepare stamina wise when you’re planning to go canoeing. That means doing some stretching and cardio a couple of weeks before heading up to Maine. Another thing to do way ahead of schedule is to book for a guided canoeing tour. Some of these guided tours are booked a year ahead, so secure your spot for the next summer now. Once booked, the next thing to plan is your outfit.

What to Wear For Canoeing in Maine

Swimming is actually possible if you’re going to go canoeing in the summer. So prepare a snazzy bathing suit and some sun block to boot. For the rest of the seasons you need warm clothing like a windbreaker, gloves, wet shoes, rain jacket and pants for wet accidental rain or brimmed hat or visor for the intense summer sun. On the tour itself, always make sure you have extra dry, warm clothes when you need them. And putting on insect repellent is standard routine; don’t forget yours.

Safety Precautions When Canoeing in Maine

With an experienced canoeing tour guide, you should be pretty safe already. But to make no room for accidents in your much deserved vacation, know some safety precautions for canoeing. First of all you must at least be comfortable floating on water with only a life vest on. A life jacket must be worn at all times for both adults and children. And if you want to try a little white water canoeing, a well fit, hard helmet is a must. Listen closely to the short briefing from you canoeing tour guide before dragging your canoes to the water too. The lessons you’ll learn are handy during capsize or riding through rough waters.

Canoeing Guidelines for a National Park

Know that Maine is a protected national reserve, so they’re big in environmental preservation and maintenance up there. You can’t leave a trace but your footprints when you go canoeing in Maine. You came to the place pristine; leave it the way it is: pristine.

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Canoe Outfitting – A Guide

Jovana — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:02:11 +0000

If you’ve never outfitted a canoe before, then we’ve got a quick guide to get you through all the basics. Simply, what it means to outfit a canoe, is to get it ready for the water. Remember, if you’re going to go on a canoe trip, you need to pack everything neatly and functionally in the canoe so you can balance the canoe correctly. Initially outfitting a canoe can seem tricky and almost impossible at times, but as the old adage goes “practice makes perfect”. Soon, depending on your canoe, you’ll be able outfit quickly and efficiently. After all, if you realize you’ve over packed, you can always change how you outfit your canoe in a later stage.

Canoe Outfitting – What You Need

When you outfit your canoe, you’ll need all of your supplies packed and ready to go. Which means, all of your food should be packed, any clothes you need. Additional supplies that NEED to be packed are the following: an extra paddle, lashings, a float bag, knee pads, rope or lashings are just a few. The extra paddle is essential. Just like you wouldn’t drive around with a spare tyre, you don’t want to paddle around without a spare paddle. A float bag is to make sure your canoe doesn’t sink horribly if it overfills with water.

Canoe Outfitting – How to do It

The float bag should be put in the front of your canoe, simply out: where the pointy part is. A float bag will ensure that if your canoe becomes filled with water, it won’t sink. These days canoes are built with floating modules built in but you always need the extra support. Use the knee-pads to protect your knees. And the rope should be used to tie down every single thing you have in the canoe. At any time your canoe could capsize and you might end up losing everything inside.

Canoe Outfitting – Should you do it yourself?

The greatest question to ask yourself is am I able to do this? If you think no. Take your canoe, take it to a professional outfitters and ask them to do it for you. However, if you ever intend on taking on canoeing as a serious sport or hobby, then you need to learn how to do it yourself. Ask a more experienced friend to show you the ropes, or go to a canoe outfitters, pay for the service but watch them and ask questions. If the canoe outfitters are professional and love the sport, they won’t mind answering any of your questions.

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Benefits of canoe outfitters

Jovana — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:02:04 +0000

A canoe outfitter is a dream come true, to a group or individual who wants to spend some time canoeing on an amazing trip down a river. A canoe outfitter basically takes care of everything you would need if you were to go on a canoe trip – from the canoe, to even the food. Most of them pride themselves on their personal attention to detail which will ensure a unique, personalized trip for almost any type of group or personality.

Canoe Outfitters give you everything you need

We’ve discussed above that canoe outfitters provide you with everything you might need on your trip. Depending on the size of the outfitter, you can choose a standard package that they provide everyone or even personalized packages crafted specifically to your needs. Generally, the difference between the packages are either ultra lightweight or lightweight. The longer you travel, the more supplies you’ll need. So you’ll need to be specific when you decide on what you want.

Canoe Outfitters can plan your route

Often the biggest problem when planning a canoe trip is the patience and dedication needed to plan out your entire trip. A canoe outfitter already has a route and map planned out for you. They will show you on the map, all the safe spots to get off to camp out at. Everything is done for you. Some outfitters offer navigation tools that can even help you find your way easier.

Canoe Outfitters can provide you with a crash course

Often many experienced canoe users will suggest that a newbie goes to a canoe outfitter for their first canoe trip before they go through all of the expense of buying all of the equipment. If you go to a canoe outfitter, you’ll pay a smaller, reasonable fee then purchasing all the equipment yourself. This way you’ll get a perfect opportunity to find out if canoeing is for you. I’ve seen many people marvel at canoeing and then actually get into a canoe. Once they are inside, they decide it’s the worst thing possible. A canoe outfitter can be your baby step to see if canoeing is for you. If you should make the investment to actually buy your own equipment.

A canoe outfitter is simply the perfect solution for any group that wants to experience a canoe trip themselves, without all the hassles of planning and foresight.

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A quick introduction to Canoe Equipment

Jovana — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:00:31 +0000

In this quick introduction of canoe equipment, you’ll learn everything you need to successfully accessorize your canoe. Canoe equipment can range from the type of paddles you buy, to what you’re wearing. When you take up canoeing as a sport or a hobby, there is the minimal amount of equipment you need to make your adventure (that is what canoeing is) more fun and more safe for yourself. Especially if you’re canoeing alone, you need to take certain precautions to make sure that your experience is safe.

Essential Canoe Equipment

In the canoe arena, you have two differences between equipment (As with anything in life), the essential equipment you really can’t canoe without and the luxury equipment. An extra paddle is an essential canoe requirement. You never know if your paddle might break, and then you’d be lost. Always make sure you have ONE more additional paddle per person. You need to invest in a Personal Floatation Device (PFD), so that if your canoe does turn over, you won’t be in danger of sinking. Even if you are a fantastic swimmer, you always need to have a PFD on you.

Non-Essential Canoe Equipment

One of the luxury items you can purchase when starting to canoe is a wetsuit or a dry suit (depends on where you buy them). This will make sure that your dry inside and feeling comfortable without the weight of additional clothes on you. While this is a non-essential, if you are doing group rides, you should take a rope bag with you. This is a bag tied to a rope that you can throw to someone who has fallen off their canoe and needs help. Water shoes are also very important. Water shoes have special soles that enable you to carefully and expertly traverse the slippery rocks by the river.

Where to buy your canoe equipment

Most all sport shops or water specialty stores will have most of the equipment you need to get started with canoeing. However, if you can’t find one in a place near you, there are many stores that are dedicated to specifically canoe equipment for you. Simple do an internet search for “Canoe Equipment” and a myriad of shops will open up, for one close to you, simply google “Canoe Equipment, UK”.

Make sure you take time before each purchase, as buying canoe equipment can be as tricky as buying the canoe. Paying attention to the details and making sure you’ve made the right purchase is extremely important with this water sport. If you’re not sure, ask a friend or a canoe specialist that you know.

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What is a Canoe Stabilizer?

Jovana — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:59:17 +0000

If you’ve ever been in a canoe, then you’ll know how difficult it is to balance yourself out. If you’ve ever been in a canoe without a stabilizer and that was your first time, you probably fell into the water so many times you stopped counting. Finding balance on a canoe can be very tricky. Even the most experienced canoers are often seen falling out of their canoes, due to a shift in balance from one side of the boat to the next. One of the easiest ways to rectify this is by using a canoe stabilizer. It is also important to note that a canoe stabilizer is sometimes referred to as a canoe outrigger. Depending on where you live, either term could be used.

Do You Need a Canoe Stabilezer

I would venture to say yes. Especially if you’re going on a canoe trip but a lot of people go without a stabilizer, simply because more extreme canoe users think of it as a way of cheating. However, if you’ve got a lot of stuff in your canoe and are intending of getting in and out of the canoe a lot, then a canoe stabilizer might be the thing for you. If you’re canoeing with children and want to teach them as well, a canoe stabilizer can be a safety net for the children so they don’t constantly topple over themselves. If you’re in a race, then a canoe stabilizer, just in a smaller, lighter version can be used.

Where to Get a Canoe Stabilizer

Wherever you’ve bought your canoe, you can almost certainly buy your canoe stabilizer. Canoe stabilizers are a standard accessory for a canoe and can be found online or at a canoe shop that is near you. Often, when you buy a canoe, you can even ask for a stabilizer to be put in with it. There are a wide range of canoes that come with stabilizers that are already packaged with the canoe. This can make it useful to get your “water feet”. It will also make practicing a lot easier.

Making a Canoe Stabilizer

The great aspect of a canoe stabilizer is the fact that they are very simple. So simple in fact, that there are tonnes of resources online how to make them. If you already have a canoe and don’t want to splash out some more money on a stabilizer, then my suggestion is to go with a home-made variety. It won’t work better or worse then a store bought one, especially if they are made correctly.

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The Benefits of buying a Canoe Cover

Jovana — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:56:55 +0000

One of the reasons that a lot of people do not get into canoeing is because it is generally seen as an expensive past time. This is true, mostly because canoeing isn’t as simple as buying a canoe. You need the accessories and equipment to make sure that your very expensive purchase of a canoe was worth it. Often someone who is into canoeing will have everything “additional” to make sure that their canoe is in a water-worthy state by using canoe carts, canoe covers and other accessories to ensure that the canoe is water worthy.

What could happen if you don’t buy a canoe cover

If you don’t buy a canoe cover, your canoe will certainly be damaged by the forces of nature. No matter how well you look after it, buy polishing it, covering it under trees. Even if you keep your canoe indoors, it is preferred by most experts that to elongate the lifespan of your canoe, whenever it is not being used, it should be covered.

Why you need a canoe cover

We’ve said it before but we’re going to say it again: weather. Imagine you’re on a canoe trip, everything is going perfectly until it starts raining – no, it’s hailing. You will need to stop rowing and take cover but what if you can’t find anywhere for your canoe? It will get damaged. The lifespan of the canoe will lessen and you’ll find yourself buying a new canoe much sooner then you expected to. To protect your canoe from nature, animals or being seriously injured it needs to have a canoe cover that will make sure your canoe stays in optimal condition.

Where to find a canoe cover

You can buy a canoe cover at any canoe shop or water-sports retailer. Due to the fact that there are many different types of covers, you might need to spend some time purchasing the perfect cover for your canoe. As with anything when it comes to water sports, you need to be careful that the accessory you are buying is perfect for your canoe.

What more can we say about canoe covers? You need one. It’s not as simple as looking after your canoe, when you’re in a rough terrain. If you want to prevent your canoe from being affected by nature, a canoe cover comes in handy.

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Your Essential Canoe Accessories

Jovana — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:08:50 +0000

As with every water sport, you need a few essential accessories for your canoe. You’ve probably sighed right now. Yes, you just bought your canoe but now you need more? Well, you don’t NEED them but you sure do want them. Especially if you want to maintain your canoe so that it can last as long as possible. The essential three accessories that we have discussed is possibly something every single canoe fanatic should get their hands on as soon as possible.

Canoe Accessories Essential #1: Canoe Cover

When you’re in the wild, you never know what type of natural forces mother nature can throw at you. One minute it could be hailing, the next a terrible hard rain, rocks could be thrown and tossed around. Basically, if you’re in the wild, you need to cover your canoe when you’re off the water. A canoe cover is for you. There are different types, different shapes and different materials. Our suggestion is getting the top of the line canoe cover so you can have almost complete protection for your canoe. Through any sort of weather.

Canoe Accessories Essential #2: Canoe Cart

If you’re big into canoeing trips, which most canoe fanatics are (just ask us!) then you’ll absolutely need a canoe cart. These carts will get you from where you need to go to where you want to go. Basically, a canoe cart allows you to attack your canoe so you can carry it to wherever you need to go. Often the more tricky canoe areas don’t allow cars or other vehicles to reach them. A Canoe cart can mean the difference between getting to where you’re heading.

Canoe Accessories Essential #3: Water shoes

You might be thinking why this is a canoe accessory. Well, simply, you go to canoe in rivers and lakes – basically places that have a lot of water. To get into your canoe, part of your shoe NEEDS to get into the water. It doesn’t matter how careful you are, you will get some part of you wet. In order for you to safely passage these waters and the slippery rocks that are normally accompanying them, you need water shoes with proper soles. While they might be slightly more expensive, they are well worth the effort in purchasing them. It also ensures you remain safe when you’re not in your canoe.

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Planning the perfect canoeing trip

Jovana — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:59:45 +0000

If you are extremely serious about going on the perfect canoeing trip, then some patience and planning needs to be taken into account. As with everything in the water world, you need to make sure you have everything you need to make it a successful, enjoyable trip. One of the biggest dangers, going on an unplanned canoe trip, is not having everything necessary for your trip. Imagine someone gets hurt and you don’t have a first aid kit. Or you need another essential that you didn’t think of to pack.

Learn Before Going on your Canoeing Trip

Before you even go on your canoeing trip, make sure you know how to USE a canoe. I know it might seem silly. Most of you might be thinking “how difficult can it be” but it is quite difficult. If you’re not used to balancing your weight on a canoe, it might be more tricky then you think. First practice and once you’ve perfected your paddling then you can start thinking about planning your trip.

Your Canoeing Trip Route

On your canoeing trip, you need to have an established route. You need to know how far you’re going to go each day, where you are going to camp. All of these things need to be worked out before you even go on the trip. If this is the first time planning your trip, then it might be helpful to get someone else to help you with the smaller details. For instance, you could go to a resort that caters for canoe trips and they can walk you through the process of it. Once you know exactly what to do and what to look for, you can start planning your own trips. If you don’t want to, buy a map, learn how to use a compass and enjoy.

Canoeing Trip Essentials

An essential for a canoeing trip is shelter, food and a first aid. You need to pack a tent that will be able to shelter your group for the trip. You need to make sure you’ve packed enough food. You also need a full first aid kit in-case something happens. It’s also advisable to wear a life jacket, in case something happens and one of you fall into the water. Each of you should be wearing a whistle incase there is an emergency while you’re away from the pack.

Remember to think about how long you’ll be going for and what you’ll need. Preparation and planning is the key to having a successful trip.

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The art of buying a canoe cart

Jovana — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:57:00 +0000

If you’ve only just come into your love of canoeing, you won’t be fully acquainted with a canoe cart. Not all the places were you can canoe are easily reached by car, sometimes you need to walk. Sometimes you need to walk very far. A canoe cart created to help you and the rest of your party, carefully be able to transport the canoe to the exact place that you would like to go. However, there is a certain art (or procedure) to buying a canoe cart. It’s not as simple as walking into a shop, picking the first one you see and then going on your adventure. As with anything when buying a watercraft or an accessory, you need patience.

We’ve outlined some basic tips for you to know when you look for a canoe cart. These tips should help you purchase the exact type of cart that you are looking for.

Canoe Cart Wheels

Think about the type of terrain you generally travel on or expect to travel on when you take out your canoe. Specific types of carts have specific types of wheels. If you buy a cart with wheels that are not suitable for the terrain you’re traveling in, you might have more problems then it’s worth.

Canoe Cart Essentials

When buying a canoe cart you need to look at the weight capacity of the cart. Different carts were designed to carry different canoes. Therefore, most canoe carts have a specific amount amount that they can carry. If you buy a canoe cart that is too small, you might cause both your cart and your canoe to be damaged.
Protection is key when buying a canoe cart. You should look for a canoe cart that provides additional protection measures such as soft pads, tension absorbers and other various protection mechanisms. This way you won’t be in for any nasty surprises when you eventually get to your destination.

Canoe Carts Price

A canoe cart shouldn’t break the bank but you can expect to spend anywhere between $60 and $200 depending on the model that you buy. We would like to mention that you should buy the most affordable version of the cart that you can afford with the three above features we mentioned above.

A canoe cart is meant to make your canoeing experience easier and more pleasurable. So take the time to make sure you buy the perfect canoe cart.

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