Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 36
BEGINNER
Choosing a Boat
for Paddling
by Bob Frye
photos by the author
canoe, capable of hauling 1,200 pounds. It is great for
paddling with a partner-human, canine, or both-to fish,
camp, or hunt.
Recreational canoes still haul plenty-including children
T
his was the on-the-water equivalent of a classic
car show, minus the chrome. Our destination on a
beautiful summer weekend was a beach on the bank
of the Allegheny River, where paddlers access a state forest
camping area. We pulled up, a flotilla of one 16-foot canoe and
four kayaks-three sit-in models and one sit-on-top model.
Surrounding us, in an array of shapes, sizes, and colors, were
12 to 15 other boats.
Each boat had its fans. Just as muscle car owners argue the
merits of their particular hot rod, paddlers extoll the virtues of
their canoe or kayak.
However, the craft ideal for one person isn't automatically
the best one for another person. Choosing the most
appropriate boat depends on many factors.
Canoes
Canoes are the paddling world's pickup trucks-built
to work. The one on our trip, for example, was a tripping
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater
too young to paddle themselves-and are shorter and
lighter. Solo canoes are smaller but easier to handle.
Aside from size, think shape. Flat-bottom boats are
good for beginners, offering good initial stability, meaning
they feel secure on calm water. Shallow arch bottoms offer
better secondary stability, meaning they roll further without
flipping over and cut through wind and waves.
Canoes with a pronounced rocker-the banana-like
curve from front to back-are more responsive, turning
better in faster water, but do not track, or consistently go
straight, as well.
Aluminum canoes are almost indestructible but loud and
cold. Composite canoes are lighter but still sturdy. Wooden
canoes are beautiful but require regular maintenance.
Finally, if you want to use a motor, square stern canoes
are best.
Kayaks
Kayaks vary widely, with some designed for niches like
whitewater running or off-shore touring.
fishandboat.com
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 9
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 10
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 12
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - 15
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - November/December 2022 - Cover4
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