Sea Canoeing

I want to buy an Open Canoe primarily for lake and river use. However, I'd like to know if it's possible to use these in the sea and, if so, what kind of canoe, paddles, safety gear etc. will I need. I want an open canoe suitable for 2 or 3 people. I've seen many articles on Sea Kayaking but none on Sea Canoeing - is there a reason for this!?

Thanks

Try reading Don Starkell's diary 'Paddle to the Amazon' which is an astonishing account of what you can do in a canoe! I think it should be required reading for all canoeists - and especially Canadians who canoe!!!!

In practical terms it really depends on what you mean by sea-canoeing.

I see no reason why open canoes cannot be used on large bodies of open water in reasonable conditions. The main problem is that when it is very windy canoes catch the wind and sail much more than sea kayaks which are designed to lie very low in the water. Also it would be quite difficult to right a swamped canoe in big waves.

I have had very little experience of 'sea-canoeing' tripping but have been out on the coast of the Irish Sea on a number of occasions for day trips. In nice conditions it was a pleasant experience. One day, however, we were out in a force 6/7 wind and it was really quite scary!

Carol

Have you checked out the Adirondack Guideboat? Suitable for larger water than some canoes, rowed or paddled, higher ultimate stability, faster, The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake New york has many fine museum examples of this type. A builder in Vermont is making them in Kevlar. Kinda pricey but these boats are enjoying a comeback around here. I have a few photos on my website at http://www.geocities.com/new_old_boats/oldboat/ index.htm I am also in the process of building one using cedar and epoxy. Do a search on Adirondack guideboats.....there are a few builders around in the northeast US and Canada Lakes region.

A friend of mine uses an 18 foot Old Town canoe on the ocean using a rowing rig that he built from scraps around his workshop. I can barely keep up to him in my tandem Feathercraft.