| If you're planning on going on a canoeing trip, or is a | | | | additional weight, so it's not advisable. |
| budding canoeing enthusiast, you're probably at a | | | | But you must know that even if it's not painted, an |
| point where you're starting to think of buying | | | | aluminum canoe does not fade in the sunlight, unlike |
| yourself your own canoe. As useful as a whole | | | | most synthetic made products. It also survives long |
| commentary on types of canoes and their uses could | | | | exposure to sunlight and won't deform when |
| be, it'll take a lengthy piece of writing. To cover | | | | exposed to sun heat. Hot and cold weather |
| every basics not to mention all the details of buying | | | | extremes are also hard put to have any effect on |
| canoes. To avoid unnecessary boredom, this article | | | | them. Unfortunately, aluminum has memory. Memory |
| will only discuss aluminum canoes. | | | | means, it gets dented when stuck with enough force. |
| General: | | | | Unlike most plastics that have a bit of elasticity, |
| - Make sure that the canoe you buy matches your | | | | aluminum retains the dented shape; even if you try |
| plans of usage. Will it be for fishing, racing, sight | | | | to "push" it out it the hit may still leave a trace. |
| seeing? The type and material of canoe that you're | | | | This metal also tends to stick to underwater objects |
| going to buy depends solely on its purpose. | | | | and that's a lot of headache if you're on whitewater. |
| - A camping canoe for family trips should be large to | | | | Also, since it's heavy, it's difficult to portage, and an |
| hold all the passengers as well as the baggage, and it | | | | amateur paddler may have difficulty navigating and |
| doesn't need to be easily as navigated nor as strong | | | | maneuvering the canoe. In terms of repair, a |
| as a whitewater canoe. A racing canoe on the other | | | | punctured canoe is very difficult to repair, and once it |
| hand is usually long, narrow and light. A fishing canoe | | | | is repaired, (patched usually) the patches will be |
| is medium sized, enough to carry fishing gear. | | | | impossible to hide. And since aluminum isn't naturally |
| - Round or v shaped canoes are generally more | | | | buoyant, it needs buoyancy chambers for it to be |
| stable as you tread the river or lake. A flat canoe | | | | able to float. |
| may look firmer when it's not moving, but flat | | | | Because of the above mentioned qualities, aluminum |
| bottom canoes are usually more susceptible to | | | | canoes are generally ideal for flat water. It's usually |
| capsizing once it starts moving. | | | | for property in the lake front where it can be left |
| The Aluminum Canoe | | | | outside moored all year round. It's not ideal for rocky |
| Canoes are made from different materials ranging | | | | or whitewater environments, and is ideal for casual |
| from metal to wood to different kinds of plastic. The | | | | paddling. Aluminum alloys are a different story |
| most popular and best-selling types of canoes are | | | | however. These are thinner and lighter and best of |
| the branded polyethylene ones; however, one must | | | | all, stronger than true aluminum, these are so light, |
| consider the sturdiness as well as the light-weight (as | | | | they can sometimes be lighter than canoes made of |
| compared to durability) qualities of an aluminum | | | | synthetic materials. |
| canoe. | | | | If you're looking at an alloy canoe, make sure to test |
| They are in the middle range in terms of price before | | | | it for its lightness, since alloy components may differ |
| canoes made of synthetic materials appeared in the | | | | from manufacturer to manufacturer, you should test |
| market. This is because true aluminum can be very | | | | it against other alloy and non-alloy canoes. Aluminum |
| heavy. But being made of true aluminum does have | | | | canoes usually have keels, these are used to balance |
| its advantages. | | | | the canoe. Although some enthusiasts detest keels, |
| Aluminum canoes can take more punishment than | | | | these can be very useful both to prevent capsizing, |
| any ordinary canoe can. Although not advisable, it can | | | | and to protect the canoe itself from outside |
| survive being dragged and hit by jagged rocks. | | | | elements. |
| However, it doesn't have any coating, which means | | | | Overall aluminum canoes last longer than others types |
| that it's susceptible to abrasions and scratches. You | | | | giving you more value for your money over the |
| can always paint it, but additional paint means | | | | longer run making them a right choice. |