Inflatable Canoes Versus Wood or Aluminum

There are Some Disadvantages to Owning Inflatable Canoes

While inflatable canoes have many advantages over the aluminum and wooden models such as portability, lower cost and the fact that they are easily stored and transported, there are also several disadvantages to using these canoes that you need to be aware of.

Wooden and aluminum canoes have a much longer life span than inflatable canoes. No matter how well you care for an inflatable canoe, after a certain number of years of continued use and some patch repairs, the time will come when you will have to dispose of it. The material becomes thin and worn if you are not careful which can cause holes and tears. The material may even begin to mildew after a long period of time, if it is stored wet.  These same problems occur with wooden canoes which do not tolerate poor storage and lack of maintenance.

Wood and Aluminum Last Longer

Unlike the inflatable type, the wooden canoes will last for years as long as they are maintained properly – which can be time consuming. A major disadvantage of wooden canoes, however, is the inability to take them through rough water or areas that have sharp rocks or other underwater obstacles which can tear huge holes in the bottom of them that are almost impossible to repair. You also have to have a place to store these canoes where they will remain dry and out of the weather. This can require a large amount of space compared to an inflatable.  Older wooden canoes can also be infested with termites and other insects that can cause permanent damage to these craft.

Aluminum canoes on the other hand, can last forever. More often than not, an aluminum canoe does not usually get holes but can become dented on sharp rocks and other obstacles. These dents can often be pounded out so that the canoe is as good as new. When holes do develop, these can be spot welded and are fixed in a matter of minutes. Another advantage of these canoes is that you can store them anywhere, even leaving them out in the weather without causing these craft any lasting damage. There main disadvantage is weight. If you have ever had to portage an aluminum canoe you know exactly what I am talking about.

Strong Winds and Open Water are Difficult For Canoes, Particularily Inflatables

Another disadvantage of the inflatable canoes is their tendency to be moved by strong winds, so it is not advisable to take inflatable canoes out on the open sea. All canoes suffer from this problem to a certain degree and generally are not recommended for open water on windy days. On a windy day, you may not be able to control your direction. Due to their heavier weight, the wooden and aluminum models handle much better in these conditions.

Inflatable and wooden canoes may not be the best type to take on a canoeing trip into an unknown area, such as on rivers that flow underground into dark caverns. You may not be able to see the rocks coming towards you, so an aluminum canoe would be the best choice in this situation because of the minimal damage that they will sustain in the case of a direct hit into an obstacle.

Fishing From Your Canoe

If you wish to fish from your canoe, the traditional canoes with their floors made of sturdier material are safer to use than the inflatable styles that have a soft floor and can easily capsize if you stand up in them. Even the inflatable canoes that come with more solid flooring do not offer the stability that the wooden and aluminum models do.  There is a caveat here however, I have never felt comfortable standing up in any canoe so be careful.

Inflatable Canoes Have More Advantages

There are a few disadvantages that inflatable canoes have compared to the more traditional wooden and aluminum models although there are many more advantages. The type of canoe that you purchase will depend on the activities that you plan to do in it, how much you have to spend, the amount of storage space that you have available, and the style that you personally prefer.

In summary:

• wooden canoes are the most expensive and difficult to maintain
• wood and aluminum are heavier and more difficult to launch then the inflatable canoes  --aluminum is the longest lasting canoe and the one that best handles rough handling
• inflatable canoes win hands down when it comes to cost, storage and portability.

The choice is ultimately yours.

See Also: Advantages of Inflatable Canoes

About The Author:
Cara Kelley is a successful author and regular contributor to best-inflatable-boats.com.