Fishing Boats vs. Canoes

June 20th, 2021 by Westshore Marine & Leisure

Are you looking to purchase a new boat, but aren’t sure if you should buy a fishing boat or a canoe?

Fishing boats and canoes can both be worth investments. However, these boats offer very different features and serve different purposes. Which type of boat should you buy?

Check out this guide to discover how to decide whether you should buy a fishing boat or a canoe.

What’s a Canoe?

First things first, what exactly is a canoe? A canoe is a lightweight, narrow vessel that typically has pointed ends and an open top. One or more seated paddlers uses a single-blade paddle to propel a canoe forward.

The canoe’s invention dates back to 8200 BC, and the first canoes were invented as a means of transportation. Nowadays, people go canoeing to improve their cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, and enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family members.

Canoes vs Kayaks

Many people mistakenly think that canoes and kayaks are the same thing; however, these are two different types of vessels.

In a kayak, the paddler sits directly on the boat’s floor, and they use a double-bladed paddle and alternate strokes to propel the boat forward. You either kneel or sit on a little wooden bench in a canoe while using a single-blade paddle to move the boat forward.

The great thing about canoes is that they typically offer more space than kayaks. Many people think that kayaks are a lot faster than canoes; however, this is not always the case, as you can purchase a racing canoe which can reach high speeds.

How to Choose a Canoe

If you’re going to buy a canoe, what should you look for before you purchase? Here’s what you need to keep in mind before buying a canoe:

Types of Canoes

One of the biggest things you need to consider is the different types of canoes available. Here are the main types that you have to choose from:

Recreational Canoe: A recreational canoe is the most common type of canoe, known for being stable and durable. Recreational canoes are tough to flip over and easy to paddle, making them a great option for beginners.

Because of their stability, you can use your recreational canoe for fishing, photography, and birdwatching. If you want a versatile canoe that you can paddle around your local lake, then a recreational canoe is your best bet.

Intermediate/Advanced Canoe: An intermediate/advanced canoe is a step above a recreational canoe. This canoe is more expensive than a recreational canoe, as it offers superior quality and workmanship.

These canoes are typically made from lightweight materials such as aluminum, and they offer faster designs and more comfortable amenities.

Racing Canoes: Canoe racing became an official Olympic Sport in 1924, and ever since then, racing canoes have been quite popular. You have two types of racing canoes to choose from: slalom canoes and flatwater canoes.

These canoes are typically made from lightweight materials such as Kevlar or fibreglass. You should only consider this type of canoe if you’re an elite canoeist.

Whitewater Canoes: These canoes are specifically made for whitewater and river paddling. They have high sides to help keep the water out and flatter bottoms that allow you to turn quicker.

Whitewater canoes also come with tie flotation bags that help prevent the canoe from sinking when it flips over.

Size

When buying a canoe, you also need to consider the size of the vessel. The most popular canoes are between 16 and 17 feet long. Once you get a longer canoe up to speed, it’s easier to paddle over long distances.

Long canoes are also better at staying on course and holding more gear. If you’re going on a long canoeing trip, you should get a canoe that’s at least 17 feet long.

Canoes that are less than 16 feet, on the other hand, are easier to maneuver and transport. They’re also less affected by the wind.

Design Features

In addition to the size, you also need to consider the design features of the canoe. One of the biggest things you need to consider is the hull shape, as there are four hull shapes to choose from.

These include:

Flat Bottoms: These offer excellent stability, and they’re great for flatwater paddling, but they can be a bit slow when fully loaded with gear
Rounded Bottoms: These offer excellent initial and secondary stability and are slow to tip over in rough conditions
Shallow-Arch Bottoms: These are the middle ground between flat and rounded bottoms. They do a better job of staying on track and offer more efficiency than flat bottom canoes.
V-Bottoms: These provide a good mix of initial and secondary stability, and they offer great tracking and maneuverability

Other design features that you need to consider include the rocker, which refers to the upward curve in a canoe. If a canoe has many rockers, it’ll be easier to maneuver and turn but more difficult to keep on track when paddling.

You also need to consider the side shape, the freeboard, and the entry line.

Materials

You also need to consider the material of the canoe before purchasing. Lighter materials are easier to transport and maneuver, while heavier materials offer more durability.

Some of the top canoe materials include:

Fibreglass
Kevlar
CrossLink3
PolyLink3
Royalex

Of these materials, Royalex is the strongest.

How to Outfit a Canoe for Fishing

While canoes are mostly meant for leisurely paddling and enjoying the open waters, you can still use a canoe to go fishing. However, you’ll need to make sure you outfit the canoe the correct way. Here are some tips for outfitting your canoe:

Bungee Cords: Adding bungee cords to your canoe will allow you to secure several different things, including your paddle. You can string one bungee cord directly in front of you across your canoe, and this will give you a line for hooking lures, bait, and other items.

Waterproof Carrier: Investing in a small waterproof carrier will ensure your things stay dry when you go fishing. This way, you can move around without worrying about your things getting wet. This allows you to pack a phone, camera, book, food, drinks, and other items that need to stay dry.

Two Small Anchors: Placing two small anchors on each end of your vessel will help keep your canoe stable and prevent it from moving around. If you have a single anchor, your canoe will drift across the current. Two anchors will give your canoe both front and back support so that it stays in the same position.

Comfortable Chair: While a small wooden seat may be just fine for general canoeing, a chair with back support will make fishing much more comfortable.

Fish Finder: A fish finder is a type of sonar technology that emits sounds waves underwater. It can help you bring back a bigger haul by informing you about the fish’s location, the temperature of the water, the depth levels, and other important details.

How to Choose a Fishing Boating

If you don’t want to spend time or money outfitting your canoe, you can also buy a fishing boat. The great thing about fishing boats is that they offer ample space, and you can guide them through the water with a steering wheel and motor.

This means you don’t have to worry about paddling and can save your energy for fishing. They also come with much more comfortable seating options than canoes, and most fishing boats can fit more than two people.

Many people also use their fishing boats for entertaining, sunbathing, and cruising. However, it’s important to keep in mind that fishing boats tend to be more expensive and require more maintenance than canoes. There are many different types of fishing boats to choose from, including:

Bass boats
Center console boats
Dual console boats
Jon boats
Cabin cruisers
Dinghies
Fishing trawlers
Catamarans
Inflatable boats
Flybridge boats

If you like the idea of paddling through the water but don’t want to purchase a canoe, you can also buy a fishing kayak.