I'm thinking of buying a brand new canoe, but had a question about "skid plates" (I think that's what they're called), which are adhered to the bottom edges of the bow and stern of canoes. Are they easily found at sporting goods stores, and are they relatively inexpensive? Also, are they pretty universal, or are they designed to fit certain makes/models of canoes?

Thanks.

Many of the companies that make canoes, as well as many of the retailers that sell canoes, will have skid plate kits. You need to get skid plates designed for your layup, for example royalex skid plates are for royalex canoes and kevlar skid plates are for kevlar canoes. You also have to make sure you use a compatible epoxy for the canoe you have. Many canoe brands have their own skid plate kits with the right materials to apply them to their canoes.

Question-do you want skid plates because you like to run your canoe onto shore or because you feel you need them because all outfitter canoes have them? All of my canoes have no skid plates until they might need them. If you wet foot and are careful with your canoe there is no need for skid plates until they have seen many years of service. Outfitters put them on to begin with because they know their canoes will see rugged use. I bet you will treat your new canoe with TLC like many of us do.

Skid plates add drag (not alot, but it does add some), weight and take away from the appearance of a canoe. Why put them on until they are needed? I would consider living without them and adding them later on. You can put them on at the time you feel the bottom may need another coat of epoxy or whatever to keep it looking good and help remove some of the scratches.

Thanks for the great reply, Bogwalker.

I indeed was considering skid plates because the canoes I've used in the past (from outfitters) all had them. Your explanation of why outfitters use them from the get-go makes perfect sense.

Another reason I was considering them right away was because I wasn't sure if skid plates could actually be added after a canoe has seen years of wear and tear. I assumed they "wouldn't take" when adhered to a scuffed and scratched surface. I'm very glad to hear that this is not the case, as I wasn't very keen on having to add them, because, like you mentioned, they take away from the overall look of a canoe.

It's comforting to know that skid plates aren't a necessity when a canoe is handled with care. Of course I have a feeling that that first scratch on a brand new canoe is almost as devastating as the first scratch on a new car. We all know it's going to happen, but the first is always the worst.

Thanks.

The first scratch on a new canoe is like a badge of honor.

I have always felt apprehensive when I took a new canoe into the wilderness as I think others look at me as a newer paddler, not a seasoned veteran. A scratched canoe shows the world you have taken your share of trips and know a thing or two about the woods.

I like the fact my canoes are not completely scratched and certainly not abused, but they are taking on the character of having seen a few hundred miles of lakes, river and portages. Just like carrying a well worn Duluth Pack, on top of an outfit that is faded and has a campfire flare hole or two, a scratched canoe shows your fellow paddlers that you have been around and have a pretty good idea of what you are doing.

Don't let the scratches bother you-as a matter of fact some of the scratches will always be remembered for where you got them-Horse River, slip on Sandpit portage, that darn rock strewn portage landing on Vista toward Horseshoe. Many of the scratches will be like old photographs allowing you to relive trips gone by!

Enjoy your new canoe and the scratches you acquire along the trail.

Several years ago an outfitter taught me a trick that I continue to use. I put several layers of thick duct tape, the kind with the fabric strands, over the area the skid plate would cover. If I get a scrape, which can happen no matter how careful I am, I just slap another piece of tape on. I take it off after I get back home.