The canoe and raft are both excellent for paddling. But, not all watercraft are equal. So, you might be wondering, canoe vs. raft, which one is ideal?
Well, we will compare the two for you and help you know them better.
Table of Contents
What is a Canoe?
A canoe is a narrow, single-hulled, long-distance watercraft. The canoeists row the craft using a single-bladed paddle.
It usually features a sharp bow and stern with a slightly wider middle section. As for the size, an average canoe can be 8-19 feet long.
The canoe is suitable as a utility water vessel.
What is a Raft?
A raft is a wide-open, flat-bottomed, short-distance watercraft. The rafter also uses a single-bladed paddle for propulsion.
It is a relatively simple craft. There is no particularly complex engineering involved with raft construction. Furthermore, the average whitewater raft is about 12-14 feet in length.
The raft is ideal for river running, transporting, and fishing.
Canoe Vs. Raft in Brief
Canoe and raft have their distinct characteristics. But, besides the apparent differences, there are core issues that separate the two watercraft.
For instance, we will focus on the data based on construction material, weight, carrying capacity, versatility, portability, durability, and safety for our comparison.
Canoe Vs. Raft Expanded
Canoe Construction Material
Aluminum
Aluminum is heavy and sturdy. An aluminum canoe requires little to no maintenance. It’s extreme to the point where you can leave it under the sun, snow without worry.
However, it’s slow in the water, and it tends to be very noisy. Moreover, aluminum doesn’t slide of rocks but gets stuck to them.
PROS
- Sturdy
- Low-maintenance
CONS
- Heavy
- Gets stuck on rocks
Wood
Wood is the traditional heavyweight canoe material. A wood canoe requires frequent maintenance.
The wood canoe is pretty durable. Plus, the most beautiful canoes feature wood as construction material. So, this canoe goes from generation to generation.
PROS
- Durable
- Elegant
CONS
- Heavy
- High-maintenance
Plastic
Plastic or polyethylene is an affordable and durable canoe material. A plastic canoe needs little maintenance.
However, plastic canoes are often slow in the water and lack rigidity without reinforcement. But, unlike aluminum, a plastic canoe slips off from rocks.
PROS
- Affordable
- Durable
CONS
- Heavy
- Lack of rigidity
Fiberglass
Fiberglass composites are lightweight but brittle. A fiberglass canoe requires intermediate maintenance.
The fiberglass canoe is a bit expensive, but it offers excellent speed and maneuverability. Moreover, an extra level of gel coating can often make the canoe more durable.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Fast
- Efficient
CONS
- Brittle
Kevlar
With incredible tensile strength, Kevlar fibers are more robust and lighter than fiberglass! A Kevlar canoe requires quite a bit of maintenance.
The Kevlar canoe is pretty expensive. It is the best flatwater canoe with easy portage and high efficiency.
PROS
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Efficient
- Easy portage
CONS
- Expensive
- High-maintenance
Raft Construction Material
Hypalon
Hypalon or rubber is a relatively simple raft material. A hypalon raft is easy to repair with a patch of rubber and glue.
Furthermore, the hypalon canoe is easy to roll, and the material has a long lifespan. However, this method makes the glued together raft pretty expensive.
PROS
- Easy to repair
- Portable
CONS
- Expensive
- Glues tend to lose effectiveness quickly
PVC
Poly Vinyl Chloride or PVC is an inexpensive, short-lived raft material. A PVC raft is easy to repair with a Tear-Aid.
In contrast, the PVC raft performs poorly in cold water. It is prone to cracking and has durability issues. But it’s a bit more rigid than the rubber raft.
PROS
- Affordable
- Rigid
CONS
- Short-lived
- Heavy
Urethane
Urethane is durable and lightweight raft material. A urethane raft is the result of welding together the parts, making it hard to repair.
However, this expensive raft resists puncture and tears very well, so it does not require repairs often. In addition, it slips nicely over the rock.
PROS
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Low-maintenance
CONS
- Expensive
- Hard to repair
How Much Does it Weigh & Carry?
Canoe Weight & Carry Capacity
A canoe’s weight and carrying capacity are diverse, and it depends on the material, design.
The average canoe can weigh about 60 lbs or 27 kg, and it can safely carry around 940 lbs or 426 kg.
You may want a fiberglass or royalex canoe with an enormous hull for better weight and carrying capacity.
VERDICT:
A canoe is well balanced when it comes to weight and carrying capacity.
Raft Weight & Carry capacity
A raft is generally large, but there are many types, so the weight and carry capacity differ significantly.
A raft can weigh up to 50 lbs or 23 kg roughly, and it can carry around 1200 lbs or 544 kg.
Carrying cargo in a raft requires a bit of skill as the raft hardly protects against water splashes and the occasional bumps against rocks.
VERDICT:
A raft is better than a canoe in weight and carrying capacity but requires more skill.
How Versatile & Portable is it?
Canoe Versatility & Portability
A canoe is exceptionally versatile. However, it’s not the most portable watercraft out there.
You can take your canoe out for recreational paddling, fishing, racing, river running, and hunting without much worry.
Unfortunately, a canoe is usually heavy. So, portability, portage will require a fair bit of skill from the canoeist.
VERDICT:
The canoe is highly versatile but has average portability.
Raft Versatility & Portability
A raft is moderately versatile. But, it has easy portability.
It’s best to take your raft for river running, fishing, and most whitewater activities. Besides these, you may have a hard time with a raft in the rough ocean water.
Fortunately, most modern rafts are inflatables. Thus, you can easily roo it up and carry it around.
VERDICT:
The raft has average versatility. However, it has high portability.
What kind of punishment can it take?
Canoe Durability
A canoe has excellent durability. It can easily withstand most impact-based damage. However, it’s also hard to repair a canoe.
Aluminum alloy canoes offer excellent durability but are heavy and unwieldy. A damaged aluminum hull is unlikely to return to its original shape.
However, the expensive canoe comes with decent durability with high performance.
VERDICT:
A canoe sports excellent durability, but it’s also hard to repair.
Raft Durability
A raft has a specialized form of durability. You will most likely bump away from rocks without much damage with your raft.
In contrast, it’s weak against sharp obstacles. You may have to do constant field repairs in coral, rock-infested waters.
Fortunately, a raft is easy to repair with a few patches and a bit of curing time.
VERDICT:
A raft boasts specialized durability and is easy to repair.
How Safe is it?
Canoe Safety Measures
You are relatively safe in the water with your canoe.
However, a PFD is a must for canoeing. Also, don’t forget to bring along enough drinking water & supplies as canoe paddling can be tiresome.
VERDICT:
The canoe offers you excellent safety.
Raft Safety Measures
You are taking some risks when you are rafting.
The raft itself is safe from most rocks as it will bounce off of them. But, the force of the collision and the bounce-back can easily throw you in the water.
Take note to wear a life vest, helmet, and proper safety gear before going out for rafting.
VERDICT:
The raft will give you average safety.
Tips & Tricks to Choose Between a Canoe & Raft
If you want to participate in various water activities and paddle sports, the canoe is ideal.
However, if river running, cargo carrying, and thrill-seeking are what you are after, the raft will serve you better.
Moreover, you will need little skill to paddle a raft, but you will need to have a decent understanding of steering strokes for a canoe.
In addition, for solo or two-three person paddling, the canoe will be the best watercraft. Nevertheless, if you have a team of a dozen paddlers, then you want the raft.
Bottom Line
Whether you choose to paddle a canoe or a raft, ensure to learn the basic skills and take proper safety measures.
Afterward, once you have secured the craft of your choice, it’s finally the time to take it to the water and start paddling!
Sources:
- Raft vs Canoe. Cost, Capacity, Use and Convenience
- RAFTING VS. CANOEING
- Choosing a Canoe: Materials
- Canoe Materials
- What Are Canoes Made Of? (Best Canoe Materials)
- Raft Materials and Manufacturers
- White Water Rafts
- Raft Materials and Manufacturers
- Self-bailing vs. “bucket” rafts
- How Much Does a Canoe Weigh?
- Basic Canoe Safety
- Packraft Capacity
- Whitewater Rafting Safety: Shoot the Rapids and Live to Tell the Tale