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Course Outline

Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are available with the following hull shapes.

Flat Bottoms:
  • Are stable in calm water but are less stable in rough water.
  • Lack the tracking provided with a vee-bottomed hull.
Canoe hull with straight sides
Round Bottoms:
  • Lack initial stability.
  • Provide good secondary stability.
Round bottom hull shape
Vee Bottoms:
  • Provide stability in calm water as well as in moving or rough water.
  • Allow beginners to track easily in a straight line.
  • Allow experienced paddlers to lean into turns to increase the boat’s speed.
Vee bottom hull shape
  • Unit 1 of 5
  • Topic 2 of 3
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