| Canoeing can be fun and it can take you to various | | | | surfing, six-person, and tandem outriggers. Solos are |
| places on the lake or river by yourself. One way to | | | | smaller and shorter one-man canoes with seats |
| get that benefit is to look at various outrigger types | | | | located in the middle to promote balance while tandem |
| where each presents a convenient way for you to | | | | outriggers have 2 seats for two riders. The more |
| achieve your purposes in canoeing. | | | | experienced paddler is seated close to the bow while |
| What are outriggers? | | | | the other person is seated behind him. |
| To start things off, outrigger canoes are specialized | | | | The longer outrigger types include the surfing and |
| canoes with lateral rigs known as outriggers to keep | | | | six-person canoes. The latter can range from 40 to 43 |
| them stable or balanced. The outriggers are secured | | | | feet and is commonly used in canoe racing, which is |
| to one or both sides of the canoe while spars are | | | | popular in Hawaii. Surfing outriggers are 22 feet in |
| located on the gunwale. This extends along the | | | | length and can seat 2 to 4 people. They are ideal for |
| canoe's sides and ends with a flotation device. | | | | rough waters and waves and they have high rockers |
| Outriggers are born from the practice of putting 2 | | | | for better maneuverability and easy paddling. |
| canoes together to make them more stable and | | | | Lightweight and stable |
| increase their width. Initially used in Southeast Asia, | | | | No matter what outrigger canoe you are buying, |
| outrigger canoes are helpful for those involved in | | | | consider where you are going to use it. For instance, if |
| marine livelihoods like fishing. However, they can also | | | | you are canoeing on rough waters, get one with a high |
| be used for sport racing and for taking leisure trips to | | | | rocker and one with a low rocker for flat waters. The |
| the lake. | | | | material should also be lightweight to give you ease in |
| Types of outriggers | | | | paddling. Carbon fiber and polyethylene can provide |
| The most common outrigger types are the solo, | | | | you with that benefit. |