Alright folks, let’s talk about canoe anatomy and discuss the major parts of a canoe. This classic boat has such a rich history and a lot of funny names for different parts.
Being able to tell the front from back on your canoe is going to save you a lot of trouble when you’re deciding who should sit where and how to carry it. Knowing the parts of a canoe will also help you understand the differences between models and the effect these differences have on performance.
Parts of a Canoe
Canoe Bow vs Stern
The easiest way to tell bow (front) from stern (back) at a glance is which side would have more leg room. Other hints for direction include the painter and yoke.
Canoe Yoke
The yoke is not always included, depending on the configuration of your boat, but it looks like a thwart or cross brace that has had a bite taken out of it. This curved section fits perfectly around the back of your neck if you’re brave enough to try portaging (carrying) it by yourself.
Fun fact: The yoke actually gets its namesake from oxen carts, where there’s a similar piece used to harness oxen to pull a wagon behind them!
Canoe Painter
Every rope or “line” on any kind of boat that has a specific job will have a name. This is especially prevalent in sailing. Canoes luckily only have one rope (which occasionally isn’t included at all) and this is called a painter. The painter is always at the front of the canoe and is used to tie it off to shore or a dock to keep it from floating away.
Canoe Gunwales
Gunwales (pronounced gunnels) are usually wood, plastic or aluminium strips covering the top edges of the hull of the canoe. The main purpose of these is durability and extending the life of the least protected edge of your boat.
Historically, gunwales were used on sailing warships on the “gun deck” to protect from artillery firing having too much wear on the boat.
In the front and back corners of the canoe, the gunwale will sometimes extend into the boat in a triangle shape called a deck plate.
Canoe Deck Plates
These are most commonly found on fibreglass canoes that have an air pocket called a floatation chamber in both ends, used for extra buoyancy. Deck plates reinforce the canoe and help it keep its shape.
Canoe Skid Plate
Another way that you can introduce durability to your canoe is by adding a skid plate.
Harmony Kevlar Skid Plate Felts for Royalex Canoes
$39.95
Add protection to your flat water canoe with this pair of felted Kevlar skid plates. These skid plates are pre-cut to match the contours of modern composite canoes, but can also be trimmed to a custom size or shape with… Read More
Skid plates can be attached using an adhesive and are placed on the very front and back bottom corners of the canoe, on the outside of the hull. This is your first point of contact when you run aground and can certainly take a beating over the years.
Vinyl-Tec 2000 Adhesive
$47.95
This exceptionally strong one-step industrial strength adhesive creates a chemical bond between vinyl anchors and Royalex, R-Light (1996 and newer), Kevlar and Fibreglass boats. No mess, no waiting and no mixing. It allows you a lot of set up time,… Read More
Canoe Hulls
Stability in a canoe can be really important. Canoes come in all shapes and sizes. The form of the hull on any particular canoe will determine what kind of paddling terrain you’re meant to take on.
Some canoes are smooth and round on the bottom and they are more manoeuvrable. These ones are a better choice on rivers so that you can turn corners faster.
Other canoes will have a keel on the bottom.
Old Town Next Hybrid Canoe
$2,099.99
Canoe vs Kayak: Which is Better for You? Canoe Trip Packing List: Essentials for a Safe Journey How to Transport a Canoe How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle The NEXT represents the future of paddling, with over a… Read More
Canoe Keels
Looking at the outside of your canoe, a keel will look like a raised line that runs the length of the boat down the centre. Keels assist in the tracking of a boat and keeping them straight.
These are favourable on flatwater lakes where you’re wanting to get from point A to point B in a straight line. Keels can also protect the bottom of your canoe’s hull from getting damaged if you happen to run into any obstacles.
Canoe Freeboard and Draft
The section of the side of the canoe that stays above the water is called the freeboard and the section below water level is the draft.
This is really only going to be important when you’re considering running rivers and you need to tell how weighed down your boat is. Canoes that naturally have shallower freeboard are usually a bit less stable as well.
Canoe Stability
One way to increase your stability in a canoe is to bring your centre of balance lower in the boat. Kneeling in the bottom spreads out your centre of balance and gives you multiple points of contact. This isn’t the most comfortable thing for everyone, so you can get knee pads to ease your time spent on the water in this position.
Padz Canoe Flat Knee Pads
$34.95
Self-adhesive flat knee pad that can be shaped for a custom fit. Sold in pairs. For additional adhesion use H2 Glue (item# 50203.01). Specifications Material: Closed Mini-cell foam Dimensions: 30.5 cm L x 25 cm W 1 cm thick Weight:… Read More
Parts of Canoe Summary
So those are the major parts of a canoe. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us below or visit us in store!
Shop AQ Outdoors Canoe Collection
Related Canoeing Articles
How to Choose and Size a Canoe Paddle
Canoe vs Kayak | Which is Right for You?
AQ Outdoors Contact
Edmonton: (p) 780 463-4892 (e) info@aquabaticsedmonton.com
Calgary: (p) 403 288-9283 (e) info@aqoutdoors.com
