Short Course on Canoes

DESIGN ELEMENTS

Two basic dimensional measurements, length and width, most affect a canoe's performance. Length governs potential speed, while width, particularly at the 4" waterline, determines stability, the wider hull giving more stability, at the expense of speed. Both of these factors, along with depth, determine maximum load and the wave action the hull can successfully deflect.

INITIAL / SECONDARY STABILITY

Initial stability is encountered when entering or exiting the canoe. Secondary stability is encountered in a weighted canoe which is heeled over i.e. tipping sideways towards the gunwhales, so that the water may even touch or nearly touch the gunwales.

Hull Design

KEEL LINE

is the shape of the hull bottom from bow to stern. A straight line keeps the canoe on track, but restricts turning. "Rocker" is the upward curvature of the keel line towards the ends, which allows for ease in pivoting, thereby enhancing the canoe's maneuverability, at the expense of tracking and speed. Thus, a Straight Keel Line or Slight Rocker is best for big lakes and calm rivers, while a Moderate Rocker gives the best "all round performance", speed and tracking balanced with turning ability, for those narrow, more challenging streams - a superbly versatile canoe. Heavy Rocker is best suited for white water canoeing where quick turning is imperative.

MYTH

"...a keel determines how well a canoe tracks". In fact, it is the total hull design which determines this fact, and Langford's canoes do not have keels because our integral hull design is smooth and efficient, with the added bonus of not having a keel to "foul" on obstacles underwater. Most Langford Canoes boast shallow arch hull design, ensuring good tracking ability, seaworthiness, stability, and ease of handling, based on the rocker accorded each model. Keels are seen today on canoes to add strength, so the hull will not flex. These are older or less efficient designs.

SYMMETRY

A Symmetrical Canoe has identically shaped halves, the widest point being at the centre.
This makes for predictable behaviour, such as maneuvering in small rivers and streams. Normally, initial stability is better in symmetrical canoes, and these models lend themselves to fishing, photography, and active occupants, such as children.

An Asymmetrical Canoe has its widest point aft of centre. This provides a longer, narrower bow and a shorter, more blunted stern. This means easier and faster acceleration, greater glide and tracking ability, and superior secondary stability, as well as easier paddling.

ABOVE THE WATERLINE

The sides of a canoe can vary above the waterline, from flared, to straight, to thumblehome (where the side actually curves back inwards before it reaches the gunwale). Flared sides keep water from rolling into the canoe as it travels through waves. Thumblehome allows paddlers better access to the water as the paddle can be positioned parallel to the keel line for an efficient paddle stroke. Many canoes combine these two shapes.

CAPACITY

This is the amount of weight a canoe will carry and still have (depending on design) 4-6" of freeboard at the centre. Other measurements of performance, such as safe load capacity, are subjective, and depend on the canoe's design, the experience level of the paddler, his/her judgement, and weather conditions. Remember too that should you take on water due to weather conditions, load is increased rapidly by an unknown amount. Always err on the side of caution when loading a canoe.

FLOTATION

All Langford Fibreglass and Langtech canoeshave floatation air chambers for your paddling safety. all Kevlar lite and Carbon Fiber canoes manufactured using our Vacuum Formed Process include built in floatation material from stem to stern for floatation safety.