Wheres the keel?
Pedantic answer: They do actually have keels– the keel is the line of symmetry for the canoe whether there’s a raised seam or not. Answer in the spirit of your question: Because they don’t need one. That raised keel is there because it’s covering the point where two pieces of aluminum are riveted together– partially for aesthetics but mostly to protect that seam from rocks etc. It’s not there to aid stability and it doesn’t do that to any measurable extent. If a raised keel was an actual benefit, royalex touring canoes would have one molded in. Royalex/kevlar canoes don’t have a keel because they’re molded from a single piece and therefore don’t need one. Mixed use canoes still wouldn’t because it would add to the displacement. I find aluminum canoes much harder to control than royalex ones. You find them easier. You say that you mostly have used aluminum. I have mostly used royalex. We know they handle differently because we both have a preference. I’m betting that this has nothing
Mayor Curley: Pedantic response to pedantic answer: The line of symmetry to which you refer is the “keel line.” A keel is an actual structural member, and I’ve never seen one in either a kevlar or a royalex. True, a keel does not necessarily extend below the hull, but the word “keel” is commonly used to mean just that, e.g., “A projection below the hull running from stern to bow, which helps the craft maintain straight movement.” Response in the spirit of your answer: It’s not there to aid stability and it doesn’t do that to any measurable extent. If it were only there to protect the center seam, it could just as easily be flat. Next time you see an aluminum canoe, have a look. The keel is actually a “T” in cross-section, and is clearly designed to make the canoe track better on open water. It also makes the canoe less susceptible to rolling when lightly loaded. No doubt I could practice and get more adjusted to the handling of a keel-less canoe, but I’m wondering why I can’t have my c
Most kevlar and plastic canoes are constructed with a gently v-shaped hull, which essentially acts like a keel to keep the canoe moving in more of a straight line. A lot of the lighter canoes are actually built for quicker and easier maneuverability. If you’re paddling down a twisty river or through some dodgy rapids, you want the canoe to be able to turn easily and at a moments notice. If you’re planning to sit and fish, and not planning to portage, then by all means get the heaviest canoe you can find. In fact, skip the canoe altogether and go for a small aluminum boat. They’re made for exactly that kind of thing, and will be much more stable and less likely to drift around than any canoe. I’ve tried all different kinds of canoes and the kevlar canoes are far and away the best for all kinds of travel, especially for strong paddlers with good steering skills. In high wind conditions, a kevlar canoe’s lower profile keeps it from getting blown around a lot more than some aluminum behemo
In the past I spent many years racing canoes professionally and also building them. I know what you’re saying about noisy aluminum boats. We call them boominum canoes. Curley is correct. The keel on aluminum canoes is there for structural purposes, not directional stability. Without the keel piece serving as an I-beam, the bottom would oil-can and cave in. Composite canoes do not require a keel for stiffness. Directional stability in a canoe is achieved by having an absolutely straight hull line from bow to stern — the ends do not curve up. This is known as rocker. If you set a whitewater canoe on the ground, you can rock it end for end like a rocking chair. This rocker allows it to maneuver and turn easily. A cruiser on the other hand will touch the ground from stem to stern. This lack of rocker, not a keel, is what gives a canoe tracking stability. The longer and less rocker in the hull line, the straighter (and faster) the boat will go. The worst condition for a canoe is a strong c
