The most widely used canoe construction materials today are fiberglass, Kevlar, aluminum and polyethylene. Polyethylene is becoming increasingly common for canoe construction since it is flexible, lightweight and not as costly as some of the others.

Aluminum Canoe Construction

Aluminum was, until the last few years, the most popular preference for material to use in canoe construction but it has recently been supplanted by polyethylene. While aluminum is extremely tough and hard-wearing, and is among the lighter metals, it is a lot heavier than polyethylene. It will stand up to dragging on the bottom and is not affected by exposure to the sun’s rays as polyethylene can be.  Canoes constructed from aluminum will need to be fitted with chambers for buoyancy and they can be tricky to maneuver particularly for unskilled paddlers. Also they are heavy to carry on your back and dent when struck with enough force. Mending punctures is also easier said than done and cannot be completely covered up.

Where to Use an Aluminum Canoe?

For flat water and casual use a canoe made from aluminum could be ideal, particularly if you don’t need to move it far yourself. For those without storage space inside, a canoe made from aluminum will be a more suitable option than polyethylene since it will not be affected by the sun’s rays or be adversely affected by the environment.

Places Not to Use your Aluminum Canoe

Aluminum canoes are not really suitable for whitewater canoeing or for water where there are a lot of rocks and should not be used when you will be touring and need to portage the canoe.

Aluminum Alloy Canoe Construction

Canoes constructed of aluminum alloy are usually lighter and tougher than all aluminum and some are lighter even than polyethylene. However, ensure that you find out the weight of an aluminum canoe you are thinking of buying as they often differ a great deal.

Polyethylene Canoes

Polyethylene is lightweight and bendable, is durable and is the most common canoe construction material. It is fairly straightforward to mend and low-cost though it is vulnerable to damage from sharp edges such as rocks, branches etc. However, it’s elasticity does present a problem so actions must be taken in order to make the canoe more rigid. One way is to use aluminum to give it a rigid skeleton and this is the the construction method used in canoes manufactured by Coleman and branded as Ram-X.

Another method of providing rigidity is to use a substantial layer of polyethylene foam interspersed between 2 layers of material. This is the method used by Old Town in their canoes under the trademark CrossLink 3. The core of foam provides natural buoyancy and this construction method can better endure damage from abrasion than pure polyethylene.

Polyethylene is not always ideal however. It is not buoyant so most of the canoes that are made from polyethylene need buoyancy chambers. This construction material is also extremely vulnerable to abrasion damage which is the most widespread reason a canoe is irreparably damaged. Polyethylene canoes are usually among the cheaper models and you might be able to save some money by picking a self-assembly model.

Where Should You Use a Polyethylene Canoe?

For flat water and water where there are no large, jagged rocks, a polyethylene canoe constructed with an aluminum support as in Coleman canoes would be the best choice. For more extreme conditions a Crosslink 3 construction is recommended as it will have increased durability and strength and can stand up to abrasion and jagged edges better.

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The most widely used canoe construction materials nowadays are aluminum, aluminum alloy, Kevlar and polyethylene. Polyethylene is becoming more and more prevalent for the construction of canoes since it is bendable, light and cheaper than other materials.

Aluminum Canoe Construction

Aluminum was, until the last few years, the usual preference for material to use for canoe construction but it has recently been supplanted by polyethylene. While aluminum is very tough and durable, and is among the lighter metals, it is a good deal heavier than polyethylene. It can stand up to being dragged on the bottom and does not degrade when exposed to the sun’s rays as polyethylene can be.  Canoes constructed from aluminum will require chambers for buoyancy and they may possibly be hard to operate especially for new paddlers. Additionally they are heavy to carry and dent when impacted with plenty of force. Repairing holes is also hard and spoils the look of the canoe.

Locations Where You Can Use Your Aluminum Canoe?

For smooth rivers and lakes and for recreational use an aluminum canoe may be perfect, particularly if you don’t have to transport it far yourself. If you don’t have inside storage, this type of canoe could be a better choice than polyethylene as it won’t be affected by the uv rays from the sun or suffer deterioration from bad weather.

Unsuitable Places to Use your Aluminum Canoe

Aluminum canoes are not suitable for whitewater canoeing or for rivers with many sharp rocks and shouldn’t be used when you are on a long trip and need to portage the canoe.

Aluminum Alloy

Canoes constructed of aluminum alloy are often lighter in weight and tougher than purely aluminum and a number may be even lighter than polyethylene. Still, make sure that you find out the weight of an aluminum canoe you are thinking of buying as they often vary considerably.

Polyethylene Canoes

Polyethylene is light and flexible, is robust and is the most widely used materials used in canoe construction. It is relatively easy to repair and inexpensive although it is subject to damage from pointed edges such as branches, rocks etc. However, it’s elasticity does give rise to problems so measures need to be used to make the canoe more rigid. One approach is to use aluminum which provides a rigid support and this is the type of construction seen in canoes manufactured by Coleman and trademarked as Ram-X.

Another way to provide some rigidity is by using a thick layer of polyethylene foam interspersed between 2 layers of material. This is the means of construction employed by Old Town Canoes and is trade marked as CrossLink 3. The polythene foam gives the canoe buoyancy and this type of construction is better able to stand up to damage from abrasion than polyethylene alone.

Polyethylene is not always ideal though. It isn’t very buoyant so most canoes made from polyethylene need buoyancy chambers. This construction material is also extremely vulnerable to abrasion damage and this is the most widespread reason a canoe is irreparably damaged. Polyethylene canoes are normally fairly cheap and you might pay less by picking a model you can assemble yourself.

Where Could You Use a Polyethylene Canoe?

For level water and water where there are no large, jagged rocks, a polyethylene canoe constructed with a rigid framework as in the Coleman canoes would be the best choice. For more extreme conditions a Crosslink 3 construction would be a better choice as it will be more durable and can stand up to abrasion and sharp edges better.

For more information and some good deals visit Cheap Canoes for Sale or Canoe Construction