Based on the original design of Native American birch canoes, the cedar strip canoe was initially built by American colonists in order to get around rivers and traverse lakes more efficiently. These canoes are designed to be sleek, elongated and aerodynamic versions of the original canoes built by Native Americans, and their design and construction is meant to be far more robust as well, due to the use of cedar.
Unique Qualities of Cedar Wood
You’ve probably already heard a lot about how cedar wood impacted the construction of canoes over time. This type of wood is remarkably robust and durable, being able to withstand strong impacts as well as wind and water currents of significant intensity. Cedar is also lightweight, and depending on the actual tree species it comes from, it’s also considered a renewable resource. So you don’t have to worry that building a canoe out of cedar might endanger the environment.
The main type of tree associated to building cedar strip canoes is the Western Red Cedar. This widespread species of cedar features garden varieties that can readily reach 100 feet in height, although some wilder varieties of the tree can almost reach double the height.
Cedar is not only incredibly durable in the face of adverse conditions, but it’s also able to withstand rot, insects and decay very well. Most importantly, it’s a great type of wood to use if you want something that will resist moisture absorption very well. As a result, it pretty much stands to reason why one might want to use cedar for the purpose of building a cedar strip canoe.
Why Cedar Strip Canoes Are So Special
Cedar was used for constructing canoes before lighter materials such as fiberglass, Kevlar and the various composites used today were available. Back then, cedar was considered the most widespread and practical material that could have been used to build canoes.
Because it doesn’t require heavy machinery, a cedar canoe can be built entirely by hand, using only a few basic tools and resources. Moreover, cedar canoes are also less expensive to build, and the material can be reused or recycled after the canoe outlasts its normal lifespan.
Although they are somewhat heavier than fiberglass canoes, cedar strip canoes are still very practical, lightweight and stable. The wood has a unique quality that allows it to bounce back against the waves and ensure greater stability even when the waters are difficult to navigate. Moreover, no two cedar strip canoes are the same, and the appeal of their designs are far more impressive and naturally appealing than any other material.
If you want to ensure that your canoe will last longer and that it doesn’t have much of a chance to break, your best choice is to consider a high quality cedar canoe. You’ll find that these canoes are widely available and that most experts will actually recommend them when comparing them to fiberglass and other canoes. The cedar strip canoe is definitely worth at least taking into account, when you’re interested in the highest quality and most unique boats out there.