Canoe Designs of The Past and Present
The canoe is a small narrow boat used throughout the world for recreation. It is generally propelled by a paddle with one or two ocuppants on board. Some canoe designs include a sail or outboard motor. Today the canoe is most used for touring, camping, whitewater adventuring, play boating, racing and other recreational activities. Traditionally the canoe was used as a work boat. The canoe designs of the past reflected their purpose. These canoes helped shaped the history of many cultures. They were a very important means of transportation for native indians and early explorers of North America.
The dugout canoe and birch bark canoe were two of the first canoe designs used in North America. The dugout canoe appeared in the west coast of North America. The indigenous people of the Northwest Pacific were very skilled at crafting wood. They sometimes built dugout canoes up to 60 feet long. Having access to the types of trees that grow in this area gave these people plenty of material to work with. The birch bark canoe consisted of a wooden frame covered by birch bark. Because of its light weight it was easy to carried around non-navigable sections of the waterway. Its sturdy design and shape of its hull meant it could carry large loads even over shallow water. They were easy to repair because the materials needed were always at hand.
Another important canoe design that appeared during that time period was the wood and canvas canoe. Its structure consisted of a wood frame with some sort of canvas stretched over it. The canvas was covered with paint to make it more water tight. These types of canoes first appeared in the 19th century and basically evolved from the birch bark canoes of that time.
During these times the canoe was for carrying loads over long distances. It purpose was for work. As time progressed it soon became used more for recreation as its purpose as a work boat diminished. Today the purpose of the canoe is for recreation. They are used for many recrational activities. There are many more designs as a result. Some of these designs are significantly different as the purpose of the vessel has become very specialized. Canoes today are used for such specialised purposes such as whitewater tricks and racing. Therefore their design reflects their specialized purpose.
The material which todays canoes are made of has also changed there construction and design. Modern canoes are much lighter and yet stronger. This is because they now use such materials as fiberglass, graphite and aluminum in their construction.
Best Regards
The dugout canoe and birch bark canoe were two of the first canoe designs used in North America. The dugout canoe appeared in the west coast of North America. The indigenous people of the Northwest Pacific were very skilled at crafting wood. They sometimes built dugout canoes up to 60 feet long. Having access to the types of trees that grow in this area gave these people plenty of material to work with. The birch bark canoe consisted of a wooden frame covered by birch bark. Because of its light weight it was easy to carried around non-navigable sections of the waterway. Its sturdy design and shape of its hull meant it could carry large loads even over shallow water. They were easy to repair because the materials needed were always at hand.
Another important canoe design that appeared during that time period was the wood and canvas canoe. Its structure consisted of a wood frame with some sort of canvas stretched over it. The canvas was covered with paint to make it more water tight. These types of canoes first appeared in the 19th century and basically evolved from the birch bark canoes of that time.
During these times the canoe was for carrying loads over long distances. It purpose was for work. As time progressed it soon became used more for recreation as its purpose as a work boat diminished. Today the purpose of the canoe is for recreation. They are used for many recrational activities. There are many more designs as a result. Some of these designs are significantly different as the purpose of the vessel has become very specialized. Canoes today are used for such specialised purposes such as whitewater tricks and racing. Therefore their design reflects their specialized purpose.
The material which todays canoes are made of has also changed there construction and design. Modern canoes are much lighter and yet stronger. This is because they now use such materials as fiberglass, graphite and aluminum in their construction.
Best Regards