Throughout history, canoes have been typically made of wood. An archaeologist recently discovered a 3000-year-old canoe in Lake Mendota (Wisconsin), carved from one piece of white oak. Nowadays, wood is not the only option anymore, but, although modern canoe-building methods and materials have taken over mainstream canoe-making, the old methods and materials are still very much used. Modern canoes can be made of many different materials, from aluminum to PVC and fiberglass. There are pros and cons for each canoe material. However, when it comes to handmade canoes , manufacturers typically stick to the traditional look, so their products are largely made of wood. Red cedar ( lat. Thuja plicata ) is the most popular type of wood used nowadays for building a canoe. It originates on the north Pacific coast of North America and is characterized by high dimensional stability.  Thanks to the oils contained in its cells, it is naturally protected against insects and fungi. Cedarwood ...

In the construction of canoes, manufacturers use different species of wood. Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the physical properties and characteristics of exploitation. A wood that is flexible enough is also easy to handle and is usually durable and resistant to the aggressive influence of the environment. Hard species are more resistant to rotting, but they consume time for being processed and are heavy. But cedar is a unique wood. Almost unbeatable when it comes to durability, it is still very easy to process in different ways. It is flexible, lightweight, even and resistant to rotting. In addition, cedar is also very much appreciated for its beautiful aspect, which will not change as the years are passing by.   The material has a very low coefficient of compression compared to all other coniferous species and it is practically impossible to be deformed transversely and longitudinally and to have cracks. Canadian cedar holds fasteners well, but...

With their fluid shapes, boats, in general, look delightful. A boat is a source of beauty, especially if it is hand-built and made of wood, because – isn't that true! – nothing beats the authentic aspect of natural materials!  A boat is a pretentious and special thing, so many people think that building a kayak on their own is simply too difficult for them. It is true that such a project is resources and time-consuming, but the work itself is not that difficult, compared to other forms of boat building. This means that even a first-time kayak crafter will be able to build a pretty great boat, with just some modest skills. A cedar-strip kayak is a sandwich construction. Think about wood as the filling, and fiberglass as the bread. Considering that fiberglass covers all the gaps, it is not necessary for the wooden strips to be fitted exactly, which is very convenient for a novice builder. Nevertheless, the construction process of a solo cedar strip canoe will take some time and ...

Canoeing is an excellent sport that any beginner can learn. It is relatively simple to start and you will only need a few hours to be able row freely! Choose the right boat There are plenty of types of kayaking boats, from the long and narrow racing boats, to the smallest of freestyle boats. For most of the beginners a shorter custom wood canoe will provide better control and maneuverability . And it makes a lot of sense: the longer the boat is, the more water you have to dislodge to e able to move, which will require more rowing force. Always wear a buoyancy accessory Any kayak guide for beginners will teach you this. Buoyancy accessories are similar to life jackets, but allow you a longer range of movement around your arms and neck, which ensures the mobility you need for rowing. Dress appropriately for the water, not for the weather outside If it is hot outside, you may be tempted to wear shorts and t-shirt. However, you will have to take into account that even if it is 40 de...