Have you been wondering about what can improve your canoe adventure?
Well, the answer is a canoe outriggers!
If you want to go out in the water and have a well-balanced paddling experience on your canoe, then you may want to invest in an outrigger system.
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What is a Canoe Outrigger?
A canoe outrigger is a lateral float attached to the side of your canoe. You can add it to one side or both sides of the canoe.
In general, an outrigger canoe is more stable than its counterparts. This stability is ideal for learning how to steer, paddle a canoe.
Also, an outrigger canoe has more buoyancy. This buoyancy results in an overall better carrying capacity. So, a double outrigger canoe will comfortably carry all your fishing, paddling gear.
Moreover, with a pair of floats on both sides, you will have a hard time tipping over your canoe, even in rough water and strong wind.
Nevertheless, the prevalent use of an outrigger canoe is associated with fishing and racing. Whether you are an angler after the monster fish or a racer in need of stability, the outrigger canoe is perfect for you.
Origin of Canoe Outrigger
Traditional Outrigger
Southeast Asia is the place of origin for the traditional canoe outrigger.
Setting out in the ocean was challenging, so the Austronesian people living in the islands came up with the outrigger canoe for safe travel.
This outrigger canoe usually sported wood from the koa tree. These wood vessels received the blessing of a kahuna or a shaman.
Even today, Hawaiian outrigger canoes are famous for their unique shape, design, and efficiency in the water.
As for the purpose, the traditional outrigger canoe was for fishing and transporting people, cargo.
Modern Outrigger
Canoeing has evolved with time. The modern outrigger canoe includes aero and hydrodynamics along with lightweight, durable materials for excellent performance.
These outriggers are highly versatile. As long as you have the general idea of what you want, you will effortlessly find an outrigger canoe that suits your requirements.
It’s also easy to set up and get familiar with a modern outrigger canoe. You can further enhance the craft stability if you choose the right outrigger for the job.
The technological advancements have reached the point where you can deploy or pull back the outriggers with a simple mechanism.
In addition, the modern outrigger canoe is not limited to fishing, transporting cargo, but it’s also ideal for racing and recreational expeditions.
Types of Outrigger canoe
Single Outrigger Canoe
If you have an average stability canoe and would like to get better leaning stability, you can go with a single outrigger system.
With a flat or tumblehome hull, you will already have decent stability on your canoe. As such, a single outrigger should be enough to stabilize the craft and give you the extra edge.
This option is for an experienced canoeist who requires the added buoyancy and stability to canoeing.
A single outrigger canoe is not the best for fishing, but it can be excellent for racing. After all, one less float means a bit less water resistance.
Double Outrigger Canoe
If you have a shaky hull canoe, then you would appreciate a double outrigger. Having floats on both sides will give your canoe extreme stability and carrying capacity.
The round hull canoe has excellent speed but poor stability. A pair of floats can quickly turn this tippy hull canoe into a stable craft ready for fishing.
This option is suitable for beginner canoeists. However, the skilled canoeist can also employ it to up the performance of their paddling.
A double outrigger canoe is ideal for fishing, and it’s moderately helpful if you are going to take part in racing.
What is the use of a Canoe Outrigger?
Fishing
The best fishing canoe is a small, lightweight, and stable OC1 or single paddler canoe. You will reach those narrow weed bed areas where this fish loves to hide with one of these.
After you reach the area and secure a stable position for a single outrigger canoe, you can start casting your lines while standing or leaning on the side of the float.
Your canoe will be less buoyant and stable than the double outrigger, but it will still enable you to carry the essentials and stand, sit comfortably.
The single outrigger canoe will take up less space in the water and move faster than the double outrigger. If you are after the predatory fish, game fish, the single outrigger will suffice.
However, if you want to fish in more open water, then the double outrigger can offer you excellent stability and carrying capacity for the gear, fish.
The double outrigger canoe is better suited for OC2. The extra carrying capacity will help you and the other canoeist to bring your gear.
Furthermore, when you hook that large fish you are after, the outriggers will keep your canoe stable. So, you can maintain your focus to reeling in your prized catch.
Take note that it’s easy to tangle up the lines in your outrigger if you are not careful.
Racing
A single hull outrigger OC6 is the most common racing canoe. This canoe is narrow and has very little stability of its own, so the outrigger floats are there to keep it stable.
When you are using a single float, ensure that the paddle strokes are in tandem and your team is leaning on the side of the float for better stability and speed.
You will need a bit of skill to steer a single outrigger canoe in a straight line while steering. In such a case, a few skillful turning, correction paddle strokes will be very helpful to you.
In contrast, if you are using a double outrigger canoe, you won’t have to worry about leaning and balancing.
Plus, with both sides having similar water resistance, you will need to put less effort into steering the canoe straight.
It’s natural to image the outrigger canoe as a long, narrow behemoth with half a dozen paddlers onboard and massive floats on the side. This image comes from a racing craft.
When going for racing, choose sharp-nosed outriggers for better water-cutting ability and paddling efficiency.
How to Install a Canoe Outrigger?
Location is critical when you are installing your canoe outrigger.
Usually, you would want to install your outrigger near the middle portion of the canoe, where space is the widest.
This method will give you the most stability without the need for much adjusting. It’s ideal for those who wish to learn how to paddle.
However, if you are an experienced paddler, you may even add the stabilizers near the stern end for more precise control over them.
This way, the stabilizers will be near your reach, and you can adjust, pull or deploy them as you need.
Furthermore, if you will drill the gunwale for installing the outriggers, make sure to seal any cracks that may appear.
These precautions will save your canoe from receiving further damage or tipping over in the water due to a loose outrigger.
Summing Up
Though the outrigger canoe was initially for transporting and fishing, it has become much more significant over time.
The extra stability and buoyancy an outrigger offers go a long way to boost your confidence when you are paddling your canoe for the first time.
In addition, the wide range of outrigger designs and materials further fortifies its presence In the world of canoes. So, you, too, would want an outrigger in your collection.
In a nutshell, whether you are a skilled canoeist or learning the ropes, the canoe outrigger is a helpful add-on for your canoe.
Read more about Canoe Vs. Kayak
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