A motorized canoe is a lightweight boat powered by a motor. While canoes are traditionally paddled, some models can accommodate a motor or be retrofitted for one. The operator can choose between engine power and paddling for various tasks. Firms that build and sell canoes often sell motorized versions along with accessories boaters may find useful for safety and comfort while canoeing.
The canoe traditionally has a double-ended design, although some are blunt at the stern. The boat is designed primarily for inland waterways like rivers and lakes and can vary in length. Often a single person can control the canoe, and they are popular for solo trips. In the case of a motorized canoe, the energy to move the boat comes from an engine fitted to the rear or side, instead of from paddlers.
Fishermen may find motorized canoes convenient for motoring quickly to locations. They can switch to paddles when they get close to avoid disturbing the fish. The motor makes it possible to cover more ground and can be especially convenient for getting under cover rapidly in bad weather. Motorized canoes are also popular for some long trips and expeditions where people might get tired of paddling and fall behind or be unable to complete the trip.
Care must be taken while setting up a motorized canoe. The motor can throw the balance of the boat off, especially if it is not explicitly designed for use with a motor. The boater also needs to consider the weight of the batteries or fuel for the motor. The weight should be carefully balanced in the canoe to keep it stable and reduce the risk of capsizing.
Boaters may also want to think about what they will be doing in the motorized canoe. The activity can determine the distribution of weight. Fishing, where the boater may throw her weight around in the process of reeling in and netting a fish, is different from recreational canoeing, where the boater stays relatively stable.
A number of motor sizes are available to power motorized canoes. Engines that are too powerful can potentially be dangerous and may also weigh down the canoe unnecessarily. If a buyer is not sure about the best engine for his applications, he may want to ask a staff member at a boating shop for advice and assistance. High power doesn't always mean faster, and faster is not always desirable in the first place for a motorized canoe.
