I have a question regarding canoe rockers. I am currently in the market for a new canoe, and I am having trouble deciding which style I want to go with. My main concern is the amount of rocker. I understand most touring canoes have a 1-2" rocker, and canoes designed for river travel have about a 3-4" rocker. I will be doing a fair amount of river canoeing, but will also be on the lakes some. Will a 4" rocker be too much for the lakes? I know tracking will be an issue with 4", but how much of one? Any extra help or advice would be great, as long as the advice avoids telling me exactly which canoe brand/model to buy. Thanks.

I think what you want is a boat that will satisfy you for both river and lake paddling. I think with what you stated you can get a canoe that is good for both but great for neither. So what it comes down to is what your willing to sacrifice. I was trying to look online for a canoe that is good at both and I believe a famous model is called the prospector(I could be wrong). Wenonah makes one and i thought souris river did too, but i couldnt find one on their website. Personally I have an old heavy tank of a canoe for river paddling and i bought a nice kevlar one for BWCA trips. If you have any specific questions feel free to email me. Or contact one of the many people that run outfitters that visit the boards.

Decide where you will do the majority of your canoeing and fill that need. As my canoe is mainly used in the BW I have minimal rocker as the few rivers are quiet current and do not require quick turns and maneuvers. If you need to be able to turn quickly and nimbly go for more rocker. If the rivers are slow current, few rapids and you are wanting to use the canoe in the BW go for less rocker.

We bought a Wenona MN-II for the BW, but before that we used an Old Town Penobscot that we got for the Michigan trout streams of home. The Old Town has made 4 trips to the BWCA and served us well.