Aspects of Performance

2. Once you've decided on a category that fits your needs (or more importantly, eliminated the categories that don't) then you select the performance aspects most important to you.

The main aspects of performance are:

Efficiency
How far the canoe goes with each stroke. A long glide following the stroke means the canoe is very efficient.

Maneuverability
How easily the boat will turn. A lot of boats are specifically designed to "Track Straight". We always say it's much easier to turn a boat than keep one going straight.

Capacity
How much gear and weight the canoe can hold.

Initial Stability
How "tippy" a boat feels when you're getting in and out of it or when it's resting on calm water.

Final Stability
How resistant a canoe is to tipping even when leaned or in high winds and waves.

Seaworthiness
How dry, capable, and predictable the canoe is in large waves or rough waters.

Continue to Step 3: Understanding Basic Canoe Design