How to Steer a Canoe

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:20:01 +0000

When you are taking a trip in a canoe there are a few basic requirements you must know to have a good time in your canoe. It does not matter if you are going on a wide, calm lake, a meandering river or in a white knuckle rapids knowing how to guide a canoe to the destination you want is needed. For the beginner, this can be a very slow and delicate process. You must give yourself enough time to be sure you know exactly what to do once in the water. You will find with practice and proper mechanics that steering your canoe will be as easy to you as steering your car. There are a few different strokes that you will need to learn.

The forward stroke is the simplest stroke that is used to propel the canoe forward through the water. If you are with a partner and in a two person canoe this will be the only stroke the person in the front of the canoe will ever have to use. All the steering should be done by the person in the back of the canoe. This forward stroke should follow an imaginary straight line through the water, not the curve side of the canoe. If you would follow the curvature of the canoe it will send the canoe slightly off course with every stroke. The stroke that goes along with this one is the back stroke. The back stroke is used to slow and stop the canoe.

The draw stroke can be done by reaching out away from the canoe with the paddle and pulling it back towards the canoe through the water. Be sure not to go to far or you will probably get soaked.
If both people in the canoe do this at the same time and on the same side this will cause the canoe to move laterally through the water. It is possible to steer with this stroke but it is not efficient or recommended. The only time this stroke can be used with efficiency is while in shooting rapids. This means while in any kind of shooting rapids the bow partner can use this stroke to quickly steer the canoe out of the way of any obstacles.

The “J” stroke is a stroke that is used by the stern (back) person to affect the forward path of the canoe through the water. To perform this stroke, begin using the forward stroke, but push the paddle away from the canoe about half way through the stroke. If this is done correctly this will push the rear of the canoe in the opposite direction of the stroke. The best way to explain this is that if the stroke is done on the right side of the canoe, the rear will be pushed left.

The “C” stroke is this sort of combination between the forward stroke and the draw. You will begin the forward stroke with your paddle as far away as you can reach. At about the halfway point of this stroke, curve your paddle back towards your canoe. If you preform this stroke on the right side of the canoe, this will draw the rear of the canoe to the right.

You want to be sure that you and your partner are paddling with equal energy on opposite sides of the canoe. If one person is paddling harder than the other, this will cause the canoe to drift off course. Be sure to work together and everyone will have a safe and fun time.

Canoes & Life Jackets for Larger People

admin — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:17:38 +0000

The average person would not have a hard time finding a canoe that would fit them. When you are a larger person you have to think ahead about these things. There are many types of canoes out there it is just a matter of doing your homework.

One popular choice for a two person canoe is the ten feet nine inch inflatable Colorado canoe. They have freshened up the look and made some valve changes as well. They have also added large motor mount grommets. The weight limit on this is five hundred pounds. This model comes in blue and hunter green. The Rio one person inflatable canoe features the same new look and is nine feet ten inches long and has a weight limit of three hundred fifty. The double person pointer K2 series also can be paddled solo with an optional spray skirt and spray deck attachment system. This canoe is fourteen feet two inches long and has a weight limit of 600 pounds.

Feather Canoes has come up with what they call the big mac. This is a light weight canoe to be enjoyed by someone who could not use the Wee lassie or wee lassie two because of their size. Most of the people who built this boat just wanted a good stable canoe to fish out of, and were not interested in speed. They were only wanting a lightweight boat that could handle the weight and not be so heavy to carry. This boat is asymmetrical because the stern section of the canoe are fuller then the bow. This is a good looking little canoe that is versatile enough to carry a heavier paddler. This means definitely over two hundred pounds. These are just a few to be listed. Just so you know even if you are bigger there are options and you are not restricted to land.

The offshore life jacket type one can be at times hot and bulky but this one will provide the most floatation. This jacket type will also keep most adults face up even if they are unconscious. This will be the best type of life jacket for a larger person. To be sure that this is the right jacket for you and it fits properly follow these steps.

Put the life jacket on and be sure all of the zippers, ties or straps are adjusted right and fastened firmly.
Raise your arms and have someone else pull on your shoulders.
If this jacket does not stay in place and rises above your mouth or nose try to adjust it better or you may need to find another model that suits you better.

You will always want to make sure you wear your life jacket just to be safe. Even the most experienced people on canoes can have problems so it is better to be safe.

There are many canoe styles for larger people available so be sure to get the one that suits you and your size.

Missouri Float Trips » Canoes

How to Steer a Canoe

Canoes & Life Jackets for Larger People