Boating and Sailing.pdf - Moja ladja

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Part 2: The Basics of Operation
Tippicanoe? Maintaining Stability in Canoes
Canoes have an unfortunate—but accurate—reputation of being “tippy” compared to
other boats. Because they’re light in weight, narrow, and many have a rounded bottom,
they tend to roll easily when the center of gravity is elevated, as it is when you stand up in
the boat.
And since there’s very little weight to counterbalance any tilt of the center of gravity, it’s
easy to wind up swimming when you board a canoe or when you stand up in one.
Capsizing is not common in recreational canoes used in flat water, but it can happen. It’s a
good idea to wear PFDs and stow anything that would be damaged by water, such as cameras
and wallets, in watertight, air-filled bags, just in case.
Canoes have remarkable load
capacity and actually become
more stable with heavier
loads positioned low in the
hull. This makes them ideal
for wilderness camping trips.
(Photo credit: Coleman Marine)
Boat Bytes
What size canoe paddle
do you need? A good
choice for all-around paddling
is one that’s about
chin height. Choose a paddle
with an aluminum shaft and
plastic blade for starting out—it’s
inexpensive and durable.
Here are some tips for keeping yourself dry and your
canoe right side up:
◆ When boarding, keep your weight on your shoreward
leg until your leading foot is fixed in the center
of the boat’s beam.
◆ Board directly into the paddling position. For
example, if you’ll be paddling from the aft seat,
step in where you can sit down in that seat without
any added movement.