Canoes FAQ
In concept many canoes are similar, however while selecting one there are many differences and categories to pick from. Solo, tandem or more paddlers in canoes for tripping, racing, whitewater and recreational paddling.
A symmetrical canoe is the same shape at each end. They are often classic designs, versatile and suitable turned backward to solo from the bow seat. Asymmetrical canoes are narrower in the bow and wider in the stern promoting efficiency of glide forward. Asymmetrical are often flared in the bow for shedding water and lower in the shearline to be less affected by cross wind.
Initial stability is the ease with which a canoe maintains stability upon entry. Secondary stability describes the level it maintains while in motion.
Efficiency of the canoe describes the performance gained by the effort generated by the paddler. Canoes going faster or maneuvering easiest are performing more efficiently than one that takes more effort and achieves less desirable results with similar input.
In most cases a shoe keel in tripping & recreational canoes is inherent to construction techniques requiring the channel of the keel to become the longitudinal rigidity of the hull. There is very little if any benefit to directional assistance. The best example being the well-designed Marathon Racing Canoes which are the straightest tracking, most efficient hulls available, none of which have a raised keel. H2O Canoe Company canoes with a shoe keel are mostly stylistic & represent aesthetics of cedar strip and canvas canoe hulls of classic designs using the keel as a wear strip.
Kevlar as a product is very tough. In a canoe it provides excellent resilience at light weight. This is also accomplished with combinations of various materials in build systems designed to be tough. Kevlar should be regarded as a tough product within the system.
Carbon Fiber is the strongest re-enforcement regarding strength to weight ratios. For this reason, it often is used in the very lightest products. Carbon Fiber provides structure and rigidity at less weight than other choices. Carbon Fiber excels in applications require low flex and speed.
Epoxy resin cures as a polymer maintaining inherent flexibility and strength. Epoxy is structural, resilient and an important component to a high-quality part.
Our stock Marathon Racing Canoes absolutely suit dual-purpose lives. The Slingshot 202 or 222 can be used as tripping canoes while not training or racing in them. Our Pro Marathon Canoes are best suited for training and racing conditions.
Our specific solo canoes only suit one paddler. The paddler is strategically placed in a balanced center position which has minor opportunity for variance. The ends of the solo canoe do not suit a seat mount for tandem use.
The answer to this is situational in most cases. Strategically placed extra bodies may fit in the average size canoes, possibly an extra seat. Our 17’ plus canoes generally suit a third or even fourth seat and should be assessed case by case.