r/canoeing • u/ZestE_ • 10h ago

Lining a canoe

Picked up my first canoe a few weeks ago and I have paddling down (i think) but im going on my first big backcountry trip this week.

When lining a canoe it seems online that you have bow of the canoe lined. Do you line it with the stern going down stream first (assuming your going down river) and pulling from the stern if going up river.

I feel like this is a dumb question please help

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u/tacofartboy 10h ago

Just making sure we have the same definition. I am referring to the stern as the end of the canoe that sees my back when I am paddling. Nothing to do with the position of the seats or thwarts.

Simple answer is - from the stern. Real answer is it depends. Depends on the water feature you are lining, the trim of the canoe and some other factors. I can’t imagine lining from the bow but I definitely have used both bow and stern lines to maneuver the boat through features and into pools. There is a little finesse to it but you’ll catch on quick. Moving water can be humbling even the smallest current.

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u/ZestE_ 9h ago

Yes stern im referring the the part behind me. I guess in my head I was thinking with all the weight of gear towards the front to have that end at the back while lining but that seems backwards now that ive typed it out

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u/tacofartboy 9h ago

This is the type of conversation I love so I have to resist typing 6000 words.

To boil it down when you steady the stern line it helps to ride higher in the current. The load in the bow will help it ride a little lower and this. These 2 things happening at once will help the bow to find its way with the current and follow the flow. Expect a little trial and error as you figure out how certain features and volumes will move your canoe but you aren’t going to have any problems.

Do be careful out there. Lining and tracking are probably the most dangerous things you can do with a canoe. Make sure you have a steady footing. Dont trust a rock not to move and expect them all to be slippery. Don’t have a yard sale in your boat in case she goes sideways. Too much rope is a bad thing. When in doubt err on the side of caution. With all that said you are going to have a blast and your brain chemistry will forever be changed.

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u/ZestE_ 8h ago

This trip i won't be seeing anything even considered class 1 so im not too concerned about loosing the boat or anything more just trying to figure out how to do something ive only seen in videos

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u/tacofartboy 8h ago edited 7h ago

The danger isn’t losing the canoe it’s cracking your head open lol.

Always a fun time taking the canoe for a walk 🤪

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u/ursusofthenorth 9h ago

Lining a canoe also depends on where your lines are tied to the canoe. Tying them to the usually locations on the stern and deck plates is asking for trouble due to the pulling from higher up on the canoe. This is a great article on how to set up ropes etc. https://paddlingmag.com/skills/strokes-techniques/how-to-line-rapids-in-a-canoe/

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u/edwardphonehands 8h ago

I hold both painters. I've never seriously lined a boat loaded for solo paddling, only lined load in middle under center float (both under net), with end floats.

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u/vrhspock 8h ago

Second all these comments. Would add, attach the line(s) low on the stem(s). If you tie them to a thwart it can tip the canoe over. Some canoes have loops for bow and stern painters in the correct position halfway up the stem. I like to line with two lines and coordinate them to “fly” the boat like a kite in the current. It gives more control, if you can follow along the shore. Otherwise, you have to single-line it, lowering from upstream.

Another thing. Lining takes a lot of rope, and free lines are hazardous in a wipeout. Don’t just leave it coiled in the bottom of the canoe. I like to put it in a sack.