When I was ready to buy our first family canoe, I wanted to know how many people a canoe can fit. After all, how many people a canoe fits determines if you can take canoe trips with your whole family or just take turns while everyone else waits on the shore. And who really wants to do that?
How many people can fit in a canoe? Most canoes can fit two people. Manufacturers build and sell more 2-person canoes than any other size. Though the most popular canoes fit two people, 1-person and 3-person canoes are the next most popular sizes. And there are some manufacturers who build canoes that can fit 4 or more people.
Those three sizes—canoes that fit 1, 2, or 3 people—represent over 90% of the canoes built. Because there are very few manufacturers who offer canoes designed for 4 people to ride in them, and even fewer still who build canoes that can seat more than 4 people.
Why canoes that seat 2 people? With two people in a canoe, paddling is easier and more efficient, weight is distributed evenly from the front to the back (bow to stern) of the canoe, and if need be a canoe that’s made to fit two people can easily seat and be paddled by only one person.
That being said, canoes that fit more than 3 or 4 people, do exist. And we’ll get to them after we look at how many people can fit in the most popular canoe sizes. Because big canoes are so cool you’ll at least want to check them out.
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How many people do you want to fit in a canoe?
The canoeing adventures that are the most fun are the ones with lots of people, so figuring this one thing out will enhance your time spent paddling.
We’ve talked a lot about canoe width, canoe length, and canoe weight in other articles. And though all that technical information about canoes is important in choosing a canoe, what most of us are looking for is a good time paddling with 1 or 2 friends or family members.
In other words, what’s really important is how many people you can fit in a canoe.
So, yes the average canoe can seat 2 people, but if you need seating to fit 4 people what should you do?
I’m lucky to have a very awesome (and economically advantageous) 4-person family. When I first started looking at canoes, I thought I’d get one that we could all ride in. But I quickly changed my mind.
Here’s why…
Longer canoes have several disadvantages vs a canoe that fits 2 people. We’ll go into detail below, but in general longer canoes are harder to paddle, maneuver, transport, and store.
How many people are allowed to fit in a canoe?
First things first—safety.
Motorized Canoe Seating Limits
The United States Coast Guard has rules and regulations around the maximum number of people a motorized canoe can seat. Those rules have to do with a canoe’s buoyancy, and that determines how many people a canoe will safely carry, how much overall weight those people can be, and in addition how much gear and/or any attached motor can weigh.
But how do you figure that stuff out? How do you know what a canoe’s legal weight capacity is?
Thankfully, canoe builders have made this easy on you. Most motorized canoes have maximum seating limits in number of persons, their weight, plus numbers for motor and gear weight limits. Those limits are printed on a capacity decal that’s permanently affixed to the inside of the canoe.
This decal has been required on all mono-hulled vessels since 1972. And it applies only to monohull boats under 20′ except sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats.
The old style aluminum canoes didn’t call out the exact number of persons, just their weight. So, if you buy a used aluminum canoe that can take a motor, you’ll likely find a capacity decal that simply lists maximum horsepower, maximum persons capacity, and maximum weight capacity (persons, motor & gear) specification.
So that’s why you’d see those 17′ aluminum canoes loaded up with 5 kids in the 80’s and 90’s.
On the new USCG decals, the maximum number of persons is called out right on the maximum capacity decal. So if it says 3 people can fit, that’s all you’re allowed to have when the Sheriff’s boat or the USCG pulls you over.
Non-motorized Canoe Seating Limits
Non-motorized canoes do not have a requirement to post a USCG weight decal on them. For them, the manufacturers determine a canoe’s maximum allowable cargo weight and people capacities and post them in the canoe’s specifications on their website and in the canoe’s manual.
2 Person Canoe
Let’s say you’ve got a family of 4 that you want to take on an overnight or multi-day touring canoe trip, knowing what I know now, I’d start looking at a couple of reasonably-priced, two-person canoes. Because two canoes designed to fit 2 people each will outperform, outmaneuver, out-capacity, and outpace one longer and more difficult to paddle 4 person canoe, hands down.
A 2-person canoe hits the sweet spot for length, width, weight, portability and ease of storage. And that’s why you’ll find at least twice as many two man canoes available than you will any other size canoe.
And there are good reasons that canoes that fit 2 people are so popular.
A two seater, two person canoe is on average 16 feet long, 34 to 37 inches wide, and weighs between 55 and 70 pounds. A two man canoe can be paddled efficiently by a 2 person crew, holds enough gear for 2 people to tour and overnight camp for several days, and is light enough that those two people can still carry it with little difficulty.
In addition, at 16′ long, a 2 seat canoe is relatively easy to transport on the roof of most midsize cars and SUVs, can be portaged overhead by 2 people, and when you’re done enjoying your canoe for 2, it can be stored in most single family home garages.
Some Canoes that fit 2 People
- Mad River Explorer 16 T Formex is a 15’11” long, 35″ wide touring canoe that’s designed to fit 2 people
- Old Town Discovery 169 is a 16’9″ long, 37″ wide, recreational touring canoe that can fit 2 people
- Wenonah Aurora is a 16′ long, 36″ wide recreational tandem canoe that can fit 2 people plus gear.
1 Person Canoe
And yet there are those times when you just want to go out and paddle by yourself, enjoying the water and the outdoors solo. And there are enough people who love to do that, that the next most popular size canoe, and second most built and marketed is a canoe designed to fit one person—a solo paddled canoe.
A one person, one man, or “solo” canoe is roughly 13′ to 14′ long, about 33″ wide, and weighs on average about 50 pounds,
Most solo canoes are designed to seat one person and are generally paddled from the middle of the canoe. This is to ensure that the person’s weight is evenly distributed and so they can more efficiently paddle the canoe. For this reason, most one man canoes have the seat installed in the center of the canoe.
But there are also those one person canoes that are designed to be ultra-versatile. These canoes are primarily solo canoes, but come with 3 seats and are designed so they can also seat 1, 2, or even 3 people.
The Old Town Discovery 133 is the perfect example of a “solo” canoe that can fit and be paddled by up to 3 people.
Solo canoes designed to fit only one person, are easier to transport on the roof of most small to midsize cars, can be portaged overhead by 1 person without a problem, and when you’re done enjoying your solo paddling trip, one person canoes can be stored much easier than a 2 or 3 person canoe.
Solo Canoes that can Seat 1 Person
- Mad River Serenade TR ULTRALITE is a 13’1″ long, 28.25″ wide, ultralite canoe that can fit one person and be paddled from a single center seat.
- Old Town Next is a 13′ long, 29″ wide, canoe that can seat one person.
- Wenonah Wee Lassie is a 10’6″ long, 27″ wide solo sports and leisure canoe that’s designed to seat one person.
3 Person Canoe
Speaking of canoes that fit 3 people… What if you ended up, by some miracle of nature as often happens, with a 5 person family? Well, I guess you could take off in your pair of two person canoes and leave little Johnny on the shore to watch and wish he could go with you… (Uh, no.) Or you could get one, 3-person canoe and one canoe designed to seat 2 people.
But whether you’re three friends, 3 sisters, or just a 3-person family that’s yet to have that fourth paddler show up, a 3 person canoe has a lot of advantages.
Advantages of a canoe that fits 3 people
- First off, you only have to buy, maintain, and store 1 canoe
- A 3 person canoe can fit more gear and people
- 3 person canoes allow the option for 2 people to paddle while one takes a rest
- 3 person canoes are maneuverable enough that they are easy to handle in many paddling situations
- 3 person canoes double as solo canoes that can be loaded up with gear
Canoes that can fit 3 People
- Mad River Journey 167 is a 16’7″ long, 37″ wide canoe that can be configured with an optional center thwart to brace an optional center seat which alloows it to fit 3 people.
- Old Town Saranac 146 is a 14’6″ long, 36″ wide canoe that can fit 3 people but also be paddled by one person from the center seat.
- Wenonah Solo Plus can fit 1, 2, or 3 people depending on how you want to use it. It’s a 16’6″ long, 29″ wide touring canoe that’s extremely versatile.
Canoes that seat 4, 5, 6 and 7 People
In all my research, it seemed like though canoes that fit 4 people used to be pretty popular in the era when aluminum canoes reigned supreme—the 80’s and 90’s—today, it’s harder to find a canoe specifically built to seat 4 people.
And when you do find a canoe that’ll fit 4, it will most likely be quite a bit more expensive.
And canoes that fit 5, 6, and 7 people are like unicorns—just about impossible to find.
But there are pretty good reasons for this actually.
- Longer canoes are heavier and more difficult to carry
- Longer canoes that can seat more than 3 people are hard to transport on top of most cars
- You have to have a long passenger van, a pickup with a lumber rack, or a dedicated trailer to transport a 4 or more person canoe.
- Since fewer people want to buy them, canoe builders get less economy of scale with longer canoes that seat more people, and thus they’re more expensive
Some Canoes That Fit More Than 3 People
- Wenonah Minnesota 3 is a 20′ long canoe designed with 3 seats that will actually fit 4 people by adding a fourth seat.
- Nighthawk Pegasus 18.5 is designed to fit 2, 3, or 4 people by adding seats.
- Northstar Northwind 20 is a 20’5″ long canoe that fits 2, 3, or 4 people with the same number of seats.
- Savage River Saranac is a high-end Kevlar canoe that can be set up to fit 3, 4, or 5 people.
A canoe that will fit 8 people?
Here’s where things get more interesting and more fun, in my opinion. Because if you’ve ever been to summer camp as a kid or just wanted to pretend to be at summer camp as an adult, you may dream of big canoes.
At least I do.
Fitting a bunch of people in a canoe and then setting out across the lake to figure out how to get them all paddling in the same direction at the same pace? It’s the stuff that slapstick summer camp movies starring John Candy and Dan Ackroyd are made of.
I mean, what could be more fun, right?
Well, if you happen to have a wad of extra cash lying around, you might want to check out Clipper Canoes, because they have a canoe that fits 8 people and fulfills that summer camp dream.
- Clipper Canoes Mariner – A 22′ long, Kevlar or Fibergalss canoe that will fit 8 people … comfortably!
Fitting 14 people into a canoe?
We’re going to wrap this article up with the following thought.
Sure, a canoe that fits 2 people is practical, economical, easy to paddle, easy to carry, and easy to store, but how much fun would a 14 person canoe be!
Okay, I know you thought that fitting 8 people into a canoe was ludicrous, but… Oh yes…
Because that 8 person canoe we just talked about… Well, the builders over at Clipper Canoes thought that was just too damn small! So they went and built a 29′ long “war” canoe that can hold, wait for it, 14 people.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I don’t even know 14 people I’d like to get into a canoe with for more than a few minutes. But I bet about 5 minutes after I got all of them into a 29′ Clipper Langley, we’d be having so much fun it wouldn’t matter.
- Clipper Canoes Langley – 29′ long, awesome canoe of insane fun, fits 14 people.
I think we’ll just end this right there, because fitting any more than 14 people into a canoe would be—okay, it would be fun.
FAQs
How many people can sit in a canoe? ›
Most canoes can fit two people. Manufacturers build and sell more 2-person canoes than any other size. Though the most popular canoes fit two people, 1-person and 3-person canoes are the next most popular sizes. And there are some manufacturers who build canoes that can fit 4 or more people.
Can 4 people fit in canoe? ›Canoes come in a solo, tandem, three-person, or four-person variety, each with its own maximum weight capacities. To calculate how many adults can fit in a canoe, add up your total weight and any gear's weight and compare it to the canoe's weight limit.
How many people can fit in a 17 foot canoe? ›Generally, 4 adults or 2 adults and 4 small children can fit in our 17 foot canoes.
Can you have 3 people in a canoe? ›Only two people paddle in a canoe. However, while not all canoes have three seats, they usually can handle the weight of a third or even fourth person. If there are three people, the heaviest person should be in the middle.
Can two adults and two kids fit in a canoe? ›A large canoe can easily accommodate 2 or 3 kid riders plus adults. For more information on canoe types, read How to Choose a Canoe. By the time children are about 8 years of age, many are ready to paddle the bow of either a kayak or canoe.
Are canoes safer than kayaks? ›Paddling in a Group
For solo adventures, kayaks are usually the better choice. They're just easier to paddle alone, and they're safer if you find yourself in a situation where you need to self-rescue. Canoes can be paddled alone, but it's definitely more difficult than paddling a kayak solo.
The maximum weight limit for gear and passengers for a 12-foot canoe is 400 pounds, and a 16-foot canoe can hold a maximum of 1000 pounds. Larger canoes like a 17-foot model can hold 1200 pounds, while an 18-foot canoe can hold 1400 pounds, and a 20-foot canoe can hold up to 1900 pounds.
Can you fit 3 people in a 17 foot canoe? ›Some three person canoes are often a similar size to tandem canoes and can be found in the range of around 14 to 17 feet. The Pelican 15.5 can be a good example of a three person canoe.
Whats faster canoe or kayak? ›Faster: Kayaks are generally faster than canoes due to their efficient design. Easier to paddle: Sitting lower in the water with a sleeker design, kayaks are easier to paddle than canoes.
Can a big person canoe? ›Of course, the answer is YES, any large person can canoe with about as much safety as anyone else, and that includes even those who are obese and may struggle to get around!
How much weight will a canoe hold? ›
The average canoe can hold 940 pounds. That's the maximum weight the most popular sized canoe, a 16′, 2-person recreational canoe, can hold. The average 14′ canoe can hold 700 pounds of passengers and gear. And the Average 17′ canoe can hold over 1160 pounds of passengers and gear.
How do you load a canoe for camping? ›It's a good idea to pack your gear and waterproof bags heavier items should be placed in the
How long is a 2 person canoe? ›A two-person canoe will often be at least 14 feet 6 inches long. If you need room for two adults and a third party (maybe a child or dog) you'll want to go with a longer canoe that is 16 to 18 feet long. The length of the canoe can impact its performance. A general rule is the longer the canoe, the faster it will be.
Is it safe to canoe with a baby? ›Canoes, on the other hand, are practically made for babies. The gunwales are the perfect height for a standing baby to hold onto, the hull stays mostly dry and offers a solid surface for playing or napping on, and they're easy enough for one person to paddle if the other needs to hold or feed the kiddo.
How do you sit comfortably in a canoe? ›The ideal posture for paddling involves sitting upright with a relaxed butt straight back.
How easy is it to tip a canoe? ›As long as everyone in the canoe is doing the proper procedures, gear is tied down properly, and you have the proper canoe for the load, a canoe will not easily tip. However, anyone can tip a canoe by leaning too far from the side or putting too much weight on one side versus the other.
How far can a canoe travel in a day? ›How many miles can you canoe in a day? You could canoe 20 miles in a day, taking into account our example speed and mileage of 3.5 hours to paddle 10 miles. That would account for 7 hours of straight paddling plus a few breaks in between, about an entire day.
What do you wear to go canoeing? ›The best clothing to wear on a warm day while canoeing is a quick-dry pair or shorts or pants along with a quick-dry technical shirt and/or light jacket, while also wearing a PFD, wide-brimmed hat, polarized sunglasses, and water shoes.
Is a canoe Tippy? ›Hull shape is a big factor that affects stability, and remember that canoes are generally pretty tough to tip over if you DON'T want to tip it on purpose. Adding weight, using your paddle (as a stabilizer or just for paddling) and adding an external stabilizer are some of the best ways to stabilize your canoe.
What makes a canoe stable? ›A stable canoe should have a shallow arch bottom extending well towards the bow and stern. Seats should be 7″ to 9″ off the hull bottom to provide a low centre of gravity. The seats should be close enough to the ends to allow the paddler to sit in the centre of the seat, and easily reach the water on either side.
What is a canoe crunch? ›
hands on one side like you would in a canoe. Extend your legs whilst bring your hands back to in. front of you. Then as you bring your knees back go to the opposite. side.
Why is my canoe so heavy? ›The biggest factor that determines canoe weight (all other factors being equal), is construction material. The heaviest material for canoe construction is usually plastic or polyethylene. Canoes made of this material generally lack any advantage at all over their peers made of any other material.
Can you fit 3 people in a kayak? ›Take your family on their next water adventure in the Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person Kayak. The heavy-duty PVC construction and rugged tarpaulin bottom makes it ready for anything from a calm lake to easy whitewater.
What is the average size of a canoe? ›The average length for a canoe is 16′ long. This is because 16′ canoes are the most prevalent, most popular, and most versatile length canoe. Shorter canoes average less than 14′ long. And long canoes are any canoe that's over 17.5′ long.
How much does a 17 ft fiberglass canoe weight? ›| Weight | 69 lbs |
|---|---|
| Optimal Paddler Weight (High) | 650 lbs |
| Max Capacity | 970 lbs |
| Canoe Shape | Symmetrical |
| Hull Bottom | Shallow Arched |
If you're a new paddler, the short answer is: yes, canoeing is harder than kayaking. In no way does that mean you shouldn't give canoeing a try, though…and learn to kayak, too! But if you must choose between the two, most beginners find kayaking easier to learn.
Can you stand in a canoe? ›Everyone knows that you should never stand in a canoe. With practice, however, you really can stand up and cast. Move as close as possible to the midpoint of the boat, where the hull is widest and most stable.
How many calories burned canoeing? ›How many calories are burned canoeing? About 102 calories for traditional canoeing and as high as 450 calories when competitively outrigger paddling. Canoeing relies heavily on the muscles around the shoulder joint as well as the core muscles and the forearms.
Can a 400 pound person kayak? ›Every kayak has a weight limit. For instance, a typical recreational kayak has a limit of 250-300 pounds, touring (sea) kayak has a limit of 350 pounds, sit-on-top kayak has a weight capacity of 350-400 pounds while a tandem kayak has a limit of 500-600 pounds.
What's the biggest canoe? ›The longest canoe measures 45.44 m (149 ft 1 in) and was built by students and teachers of Nokomis Regional High School, Newport, Maine, USA.
How much does a 12 foot canoe weigh? ›
| Sportspal Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Length | Weight |
| Model | Length | Weight |
| 12' Pointed | 11' 6" | 43 lbs. |
| 12' Pointed Sp. | 11' 6" | 43 lbs. |
The best option for stabilizing a canoe is to purchase a set of canoe-shaped stabilizing pontoons from a company called Spring Creek Manufacturing. It's the best option for simplicity and it eliminates the need for a degree in mechanical engineering.
How much does a 2 person canoe weigh? ›Fiberglass 2-person canoes weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Aluminum canoes weigh a little more than that at 60 to 75 pounds. Kevlar and other light composite canoes weigh about 20% less than similarly designed and purposed fiberglass canoes.
What should you not do while camping? ›- Don't set up your tent in the dark.
- Don't leave your campfire unattended.
- Don't forget your first aid kit.
- Don't let your kids run around other campsites.
- Don't ignore campground rules.
- Don't leave your garbage out at night.
- Don't bring firewood in from another location.
The BLM recommends 1 gallon per person per day as the minimum required amount, along with ½ to 1 gallon per meal for cooking (Consider menu, group size, and days out on the river). You may fill water jugs at our location. A filter should be packed as an emergency back-up source.
How much does a good canoe cost? ›The average price of a new canoe is $900. They tend to range from $600 to $1,500. Big-name brands using high-quality materials can be even more expensive.
What type of canoe is best for beginners? ›Canoes with a larger volume or surface area are ideal for carrying more kit and/or more people. The width of the canoe will affect stability. Wider canoes will be more stable and therefore a better choice for beginners.
What are long canoes called? ›Outrigger boats are various watercraft featuring one or more lateral support floats known as outriggers, which are fastened to one or both sides of the main hull. They can range from small dugout canoes to large plank-built vessels.
Can you fit 3 people in a 17 foot canoe? ›Some three person canoes are often a similar size to tandem canoes and can be found in the range of around 14 to 17 feet. The Pelican 15.5 can be a good example of a three person canoe.
How many people fit in a 14 foot canoe? ›Most 14′ canoes are day use or overnight canoes designed to hold the weight of 1 to 2 people and a light amount of gear. How much weight can a 14 foot canoe hold? The average 14′, 1 or 2-person canoe can hold 700 pounds of passengers and gear at its maximum capacity.
Do canoes have a weight limit? ›
The maximum weight limit for gear and passengers for a 12-foot canoe is 400 pounds, and a 16-foot canoe can hold a maximum of 1000 pounds. Larger canoes like a 17-foot model can hold 1200 pounds, while an 18-foot canoe can hold 1400 pounds, and a 20-foot canoe can hold up to 1900 pounds.
Can one person use a two person canoe? ›Seat yourself in the canoe.
When paddling a two person canoe alone you should sit in the bow seat (the one closer to the middle of the canoe) facing backwards (toward the stern). This position prevents the other end of the canoe from rising too far out of the water due to your weight.
A two-person canoe will often be at least 14 feet 6 inches long. If you need room for two adults and a third party (maybe a child or dog) you'll want to go with a longer canoe that is 16 to 18 feet long. The length of the canoe can impact its performance. A general rule is the longer the canoe, the faster it will be.
Can you fit 3 people in a kayak? ›Take your family on their next water adventure in the Sevylor Big Basin 3-Person Kayak. The heavy-duty PVC construction and rugged tarpaulin bottom makes it ready for anything from a calm lake to easy whitewater.
What is the average size of a canoe? ›The average length for a canoe is 16′ long. This is because 16′ canoes are the most prevalent, most popular, and most versatile length canoe. Shorter canoes average less than 14′ long. And long canoes are any canoe that's over 17.5′ long.
How heavy is a 14 foot canoe? ›Every foot in size affects canoe weight significantly when the canoe is made from polyethylene. An Old Town 14'7″ GUIDE canoe weighs 74 lbs while an Old Town 15'8″ DISCOVERY canoe weighs 80 lbs. However, in the category of Kevlar, usually, a 1-foot difference brings about a 1 lb difference in weight.
Can a big person canoe? ›Of course, the answer is YES, any large person can canoe with about as much safety as anyone else, and that includes even those who are obese and may struggle to get around!
How much does a 12 foot canoe weigh? ›| Sportspal Specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Length | Weight |
| Model | Length | Weight |
| 12' Pointed | 11' 6" | 43 lbs. |
| 12' Pointed Sp. | 11' 6" | 43 lbs. |
Every kayak has a weight limit. For instance, a typical recreational kayak has a limit of 250-300 pounds, touring (sea) kayak has a limit of 350 pounds, sit-on-top kayak has a weight capacity of 350-400 pounds while a tandem kayak has a limit of 500-600 pounds.
Whats faster canoe or kayak? ›Faster: Kayaks are generally faster than canoes due to their efficient design. Easier to paddle: Sitting lower in the water with a sleeker design, kayaks are easier to paddle than canoes.
How do you sit comfortably in a canoe? ›
The ideal posture for paddling involves sitting upright with a relaxed butt straight back.
Is it safe to canoe alone? ›You can paddle alone, but you should make sure people know where you are going. Paddling alone is riskier, and even the most experienced paddlers can run into trouble sometimes. After taking your paddler's safety course, you might be tempted to think you can handle everything—and maybe you are right.
Is it hard to canoe alone? ›Paddling a canoe alone is a great way to take in the outdoors, and it isn't hard. Just kneel and heel, then employ a rock-solid stroke.
Can you face each other in canoe? ›Can Paddlers Face Each Other in a Canoe? While anyone in a canoe can face any direction they want, it's impossible to paddle efficiently if any two paddlers face each other. Both paddlers should face in the direction they want to go.