Pioneer 17' Canoe
What the Perfect Canoe would Should Look Like FROM '' CANOE & KAYAK MAGAZINE '', DECEMBER 1995 It doesn't exist, (or does it ?) of course, since every design tends to be a compromise. But if forced to describe such a miracle craft, the all purpose canoe might look like this: it is 17 feet long (17' 0") , 35 inches wide (36"), 14 inches deep (14 1/2") and the stem is slightly recurved slightly raked resulting in a depth at each end of 20 inches (21"). There is a bit of tumblehome (1" each side), meaning the widest point of the canoe is below the gunwale line, giving the canoe better final stability and an easier reach for paddling. The bottom shape is a rounded vee (shallow rounded vee). There is about four inches of rocker (3"), that is the keel line rises up towards the ends just enough to make turning easier, but with a full load the canoe will sit down in the water and paddle straight without an inordinate number of correcting strokes. The canoe will weigh less than 75 pounds(69 lbs. fiberglass - 50 lbs. in kevlar) and there was never a canoe that weighed too little.
**Bolded text indicated specifications for the 17' Pioneer Canoe and are offered for comparison purposes when looking up the "perfect canoe".
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONSIDERING, OR IF YOUR RETAIL SALESPERSON IS TRYING TO SELL YOU A CANOE WHICH DEPARTS DRAMATICALLY ---- SAY 10% --- FROM THE ABOVE DIMENSIONS, BE SURE THAT YOU OR YOUR SALESPERSON CAN RATIONALIZE SUCH DEPARTURES FROM THE NORM ON THE BASIS OF A SPECIALIZED USE WHICH YOU HAVE IN MIND.
**Bolded text indicated specifications for the 17' Pioneer Canoe and are offered for comparison purposes when looking up the "perfect canoe".
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF CONSIDERING, OR IF YOUR RETAIL SALESPERSON IS TRYING TO SELL YOU A CANOE WHICH DEPARTS DRAMATICALLY ---- SAY 10% --- FROM THE ABOVE DIMENSIONS, BE SURE THAT YOU OR YOUR SALESPERSON CAN RATIONALIZE SUCH DEPARTURES FROM THE NORM ON THE BASIS OF A SPECIALIZED USE WHICH YOU HAVE IN MIND.
| Specifcations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Length | 17' - 0" | |
| Width at gunwale inside | 36" | |
| Width at gunwale outside | 37" | |
| Width at 4" waterline | 34" | |
| Depth - bow/center/stern | 21" / 14.5" / 21" | |
| Hull Configuration | ||
| Keel Line | Straight with rise at ends -- No Keel | |
| Symmetery | Symmetrical | |
| Mid Section | Rounded Vee | |
| Bow/Stern | Vee Shape / Raked | |
| Above Waterline | Tumblehome | |
| Rocker | Moderate 3" | |
| Seats | 2 | |
| Maximum Paddlers | 2 Adults | |
| Initial Stability | Good | |
| Secondary Stability | Excellent | |
| Speed | Fast | |
| Maneuverability | Excellent | |
| Tracking | Good | |
| Sea Worthiness | Good | |
| Materials | Fiberglass -- Proprietary Lay-up -- Handlaid Cloth / Foam Core | |
| Weight [approx] | 69 lbs | |
| Capacity [approx] | 1150 lbs | |
| Usage | Touring, Casual Recreation, Wilderness Tripping, Sportsman, Paddles Well Solo | |
| Colours | Bone, Sand, Green, Red, Yellow, Blue Optional Dead Grass or Camo |
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