canoe keel

Wade White

Wade White

Member
I have a plastic canoe that was given to me, it's only seen water a half dozen times. But I've notice that it doesn't track very well, partially because I'm not an experienced paddler, but also partially becasue it has no keel. Is there anyone that has put a keep on a conoe of this sort? It's only a 14' too so that doesn't help a whole lot either. Any suggestions?
 
Wade, You should be able to put a keel on that canoe with out any problems. I have looked over a canoe I am going to restore. The keel is bolted on the bottom of the canoe. In my case the keel is made of White Oak. In order to find a piece of wood long enough you may have to scarf two pieces together. The shape of the keel is widest where it attaches to the hull. It tapers down to about 1/2" wide. The dept of the keel is one to one and quarter inches and tapers to each end. I would think about five bolts should secure it to the bottom of the canoe. seal each bolt hole with water proof adhesive.

If you have access to a table saw and have a block plane your good to go.

 
What knid of 'plastic'? If it os one that flexes with impact alot, I'd be afraid of it flexing so far that bolts might tear through. If it is rigid, just lacking fibers to make it "fiberglass" than I'd do like Pete said...might add glue/resin to the entire sruface of the keel to be in contact with the hull.

Knowing the brand of canoe or type of material would help in how to attach it.

Chuck
 
I'm not for sure who the manufacturer is, but it's a rougue river 14' and it has a center console thingy that someone can sit on, that has cup holders, small waterproof compartment and another larger compartment to use as a small "cooler".
 
14 is short for a canoe as far as I'm concerned and I'm not surprised it doesn't track all that great. It may be a canoe for white water as opposed to flat. Does it have any rocker to it (is the keel flat or is it shaped like a banana).

Good canoes don't have a keel and they track well, so it may not be the lack of a keel, it may be the design itself doesn't lend itself to what you want it to do.
 
I agree with Tod. I have owned several canoes and currently own an expedition canoe with a moderate rocker and without a keel. While it does behave better for an experienced paddler it will also track reasonably well for anyone. It is designed the way it is because it is intended for river tripping in conditions up to moderate whitewater. It is made of Royalex to be impact resistent and extremely durable. I could have bought the same basic model made of Kevlar or Glass with a keel and it would have been better for lakes although the design still lends itself to river tripping.



http://www.novacraft.com/materials.htm
 
I'm with Tod and Paul. The primary reason some canoes have keels is related to either the need to protect a fragile bottom (like on many old wood canvas models) or because it provides structural support or otherwise aids the manufacturing process (as in many plastic and some fiberglass canoes).


If you think about it, a 1 inch keel really doesn't provide a lot of extra resistance to sideways motion--the canoe is probably already drawing something like 3 to 6 inches of water, depending on how its loaded. Adding 50 pounds to the boat may make as much difference as adding a keel.

As for bent paddles, I'd save your money unless you're planning long trips where speed is important, and you intend to become an expert paddler. They do offer some advantages for efficiency and speed in the hands of experts, but they are far less versatile for those of us who are more likely to be worming down a narrow twisty channel with a partner in the bow than we are to want to make a 5 mile lake crossing before breakfast.

Find your local chapter of the American Canoe Association and see if they offer a nearby paddling course. Universities and adult ed programs (especially in canoe-rich areas like the Adirondacks, Minnesota, and Maine) also offer classes, as do many canoe/kayak shops. You'll learn a lot faster with a good instructor than you will on your own.
 
I'm with Tod and Paul. The primary reason some canoes have keels is related to either the need to protect a fragile bottom (like on many old wood canvas models) or because it provides structural support or otherwise aids the manufacturing process (as in many plastic and some fiberglass canoes).


If you think about it, a 1 inch keel really doesn't provide a lot of extra resistance to sideways motion--the canoe is probably already drawing something like 3 to 6 inches of water, depending on how its loaded. Adding 50 pounds to the boat may make as much difference as adding a keel.

As for bent paddles, I'd save your money unless you're planning long trips where speed is important, and you intend to become an expert paddler. They do offer some advantages for efficiency and speed in the hands of experts, but they are far less versatile for those of us who are more likely to be worming down a narrow twisty channel with a partner in the bow than we are to want to make a 5 mile lake crossing before breakfast.

Find your local chapter of the American Canoe Association and see if they offer a nearby paddling course. Universities and adult ed programs (especially in canoe-rich areas like the Adirondacks, Minnesota, and Maine) also offer classes, as do many canoe/kayak shops. You'll learn a lot faster with a good instructor than you will on your own.
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Yes, spot on. One thing I'd add is that reading up on how to paddle is a good start. It is not hard, but you need to know what you should be doing. If you want to do it well you need to move beyond the scoopy and splashy style that you see often.
 
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