Keel Line

A canoe’s keel line is the profile of the hull bottom running from stem to stem, best seen by standing back and viewing the canoe from the side. The keel line can range from straight or level to highly arched or rockered (think of the runner on bottom of a rocking chair). We classify canoes that have less than 2" of rocker as slightly rockered. Models with rocker ranging from 2" to 3" are considered moderately rockered and those with over 3" of rocker as extremely rockered.


Slightly Rockered

 



Angler 14, Adventure 14 & 16, Malecite, Destiny, Synergy 12 & 14, Reflection 15 & 17, Expedition 186

Pros

  • Enhanced tracking, speed

Cons
  • Limited maneuverability

Moderately Rockered

 




Explorer, Explorer 15, Explorer 16TT, Explorer 14TT, Freedom 17, Freedom Solo, Legend 15, Legend 16

Pros
  • Good balance between maneuverability and speed
  • Most versatile keel line

Cons
  • Reduced tracking than straight keel
  • Reduced speed than straight keel 
  • Less maneuverable than highly rockered

Extremely Rockered

 



Outrage, Outrage X, Caption

Pros
  • Enhanced maneuverability

Cons
  • Poor tracking
  • Reduced forward speed