How to Pick a Canoe

Determine if you will use the canoe alone or with a friend. This decision will determine whether you select a solo model or a tandem version. Keep in mind that tandem versions can typically be piloted by one person but still have the flexibility to add a guest.

Decide if you will use the canoe for recreational purposes, including single-day outings, hunting, fishing and short-range paddling. Recreational canoes make up one of two large categories of canoes. If you intend to use the canoe for multi-day trips or long distances, you will likely need the second kind, a touring-style canoe.

Purchase a specialized canoe if you have significant experience with canoes and require custom features. Specially outfitted canoes are available for whitewater trips, photography and high-performance paddling. They are even available for advanced hunting and fishing.

Choose a boat length and shape based on your routine use for the canoe. If you have inexperienced paddlers or children operating the boat, a wide, flat-bottomed canoe that is short will be optimal, since this type of boat is more stable and easier to control. For longer trips and to achieve greater efficiency, select a boat that is longer in length and has a slim, v-shaped hull.

Select your canoe's material based on the cost, weight and durability you desire. Canoes are manufactured in a number of materials, including aluminum and various composite materials. Plastic and a wood-and-canvas combination are also used. Aluminum canoes are typically the least expensive and require little maintenance, but are also the heaviest, resulting in lower performance. Traditional wood-and-canvas canoes are attractive but can be expensive to maintain. Plastic and composite canoes come in many varieties with varying costs; the lighter and more durable the model, the more expensive they tend to be.