Are you a canoe enthusiast wanting to purchase a new aluminum canoe but can’t figure out the weight of aluminum canoe? The weight of a canoe is an important consideration when purchasing one.
Why is that? Because the weight of a canoe has a considerable impact on its performance, mobility, and stability, being able to make or break your canoeing trip.
Now with different types of canoes available out there, the weight can vary on the material of the canoe. In fact, an aluminum canoe may weigh less than a wooden canoe.
Does this make you curious to know how much an aluminum canoe weighs exactly? Then, Keep reading!
Key Takeaways On How Much Does An Aluminum Canoe Weigh?
How Much Does an Average Canoe Weigh? The average canoe weight range between 60-75 pounds.
Aluminum vs Duralumin – Duralumin can be a lighter material but aluminum used for canoes makes a canoe more secure, durable, and capable of sailing in rough water conditions like whitewater canoeing.
Weight of 14-foot, 15-foot, and 16-foot Canoe
– a 14-foot canoe weighs around 60-75 pounds while a 15-foot canoe weighs around 69-85 pounds. A 16-foot canoe can be heavier, weighing around 73-90 pounds.
How Much Does an Average Weight of Aluminum Canoe?
On average, an aluminum canoe weighs around 60-75 pounds. This makes aluminum canoes lighter than those made of wood and most other materials.
Aluminum vs Duralumin
Typically, an average aluminum canoe weight ranges from 60-75 pounds, the weight of the canoe can also vary from brand to brand and the type of canoe you choose. In fact, being a lighter canoe option, even 2 person canoes made with aluminum weigh around 70 pounds typically.
A good example of a 2-person canoe weighing 70 pounds can be the 17-foot Grumman canoe.
However, if we compare aluminum with duralumin, then duralumin is a lighter material, being a stronger, harder, and lightweight alloy of aluminum.
However, due to its lighter characteristics, it is important to note that duralumin is used to create canoe accessories like canoe Rapa, poles, paddles, etc.
Kevlar vs Aluminum Canoe Weight
When considering the weight of aluminum canoe and kevlar canoe, kevlar canoes have incredible weight savings and performance advantages over an aluminum canoe. It’s like trying to draw parallels between a sports car and a minivan.
Furthermore, Kevlar canoes are more expensive than aluminum canoes, but they’re lighter and stronger for the extra expense. In addition, unlike an aluminum canoe, they make very little noise while canoe paddling and don’t feel as cold while doing so.
In fact, Kevlar canoes weigh around 20% less than comparable fiberglass or aluminum canoes. However, the actual weight of a boat is determined by a number of factors.
Despite all these benefits, aluminum is the superior material for a canoe if you want to use it roughly or leave it at camp without worrying about it becoming damaged.
Also, a benefit that sets aluminum canoes apart from kevlar canoes is that they don’t need much upkeep and should be fine for paddling by the time your grandchildren are adults (making them ideal for the long game).
Weight Aluminum Canoe Vs Fiberglass & Polyethylene Canoe
Wait! Are you wondering whether a fiberglass or polyethylene canoe will be a better choice for a lightweight canoe than an aluminum canoe? Now, if you are already familiar with the different canoe materials and their characteristics, you would know that fiberglass and polyethylene are less in weight than aluminum.
However, the weight of aluminum canoe and fiberglass canoes comes with additional properties. Let’s go ahead and explore how these different types of canoes and their weight difference impact the usage criteria of these canoes.
Aluminum Canoe
Starting with aluminum canoes, these canoes offer high water stability due to their weight. Being lightweight, aluminum canoes are perfect for beginners and kids who might bump into things.
What adds to the weight of these canoes is their construction with two metal sheets riveted together.
While this makes aluminum canoes lighter than most other canoes, they can still be heavier to lift, so keep that in mind, especially if you plan on taking them in rough water situations like ocean canoeing. A good example of aluminum canoes that weigh around 71 lbs is Michi-Craft T-15 Aluminum Canoe.
Fiberglass Canoe
When it comes to fiberglass canoes, these canoes are made from glass fibers bonded with resin in a mold – like the Clipper Cascade FG.
Compared to aluminum canoes, they offer efficiency and canoeing speed due to their lightweight nature, more than the aluminum canoes.
While this makes fiberglass canoes lighter and better than an aluminum canoe, aluminum canoes are still a better option for easier maintenance and efficient durability. However, if you paint a fiberglass canoe then it can somewhat increase it’s weight.
Polyethylene Canoe
Last, let’s talk about canoes made of polyethylene. The three layers of polyethylene plastic used to make these boats make them very strong, durable, and cheap.
What’s more? The usage of polyethylene makes these canoes lighter than aluminum and fiberglass. However, it’s important to consider that despite being lighter, such canoes can be a risky material for a boat when you’re sailing in tough weather conditions.
Will Aluminum Canoes of the Same Weight as of Plastic, Fiberglass, or Wood, Have the Same Weight Limit?
Yes, if aluminum boats weigh the same as plastic, fiberglass, or wood canoes, their weight limits are usually the same as well. The main things that decide how much weight a canoe can hold are its design, size, and overall construction, not the materials it is made of.
In fact, different boats, no matter what material they are made of, can be made to hold different amounts of weight depending on their hull shape, thickness, and structural strength. So, if two boats made of different materials weigh the same, it’s likely that they can hold the same amount of weight.
So while you consider how much does an aluminum canoe weigh and its weight limit compared to other types of canoes, make sure to keep in mind that the weight limit is one of the most important things to think about when picking a canoe.
Hence, it is crucial to go over it because it can affect how well and safely the canoe works on the water.
Note: The weight of an aluminum canoe increases or decreases based on the width of the canoe and the aluminum sheet thickness.
FAQs – Weight of Aluminum Canoe
A 15-foot aluminum canoe typically weighs around 69-85 pounds.
How much does a 16 ft aluminum canoe weigh?
A 16-foot aluminum canoe weighs around 73-90 pounds.
What does a 14-foot aluminum canoe weigh?
Typically, a 14-foot aluminum canoe weighs around 60-75 pounds.
What is the ideal weight of an aluminum canoe for transporting (one One-Person)?
The usual weight of a basic aluminum canoe for a single person is between 55 and 80 pounds (25 and 36 kilos).
How Much A Lightweight Aluminum Canoe Should Weigh?
While the weight of aluminum canoe depends mainly on the canoe’s brand and size, there are lightweight aluminum canoes available in the market that weigh 60-70 pounds. At most, a lightweight aluminum canoe can weigh around 60-65 pounds.
Passionate freelance writer and certified boat captain, Sam brings his expertise to this pedal boating & Canoeing blog. With a knack for captivating storytelling and in-depth knowledge of boating regulations, he’s here to make your boating experience even more enjoyable and informed.