Wooden canoes seem like simple things - which they are, for the most part. They're made of wood, they float on water, you paddle them to make them go. Seems simple, right?

Well yes it is, and it isn't. You see, the things you want to DO with the canoe, the type of wood used in it's construction, and the actual design of the hull are three major things to take into consideration during the process of choosing a proper canoe to take out into the water.

Before looking at wooden canoes for sale, consider a few personal factors that will help you make your purchase a wise one. Ask yourself a few simple questions, like: Is the canoe going to be purely for recreational purposes? Do you intend to stick to calm open lakes or are you going to be going to be traversing fairly turbulent rivers in your travels? Will you be travelling alone most of the time or with company? How much equipment will you be taking along on your average trip? (consider both weight and volume of the said equipment) Do you intend to go for only brief trips, or extended runs with your canoe?

These questions should help you determine what type of canoe you'll be getting. There are several models of wooden canoes for sale on the market that cater to specific needs, as well as sturdy general purpose models. There are even, in some areas, carpenters whose primary occupation is the creation of a canoe from scratch, tailor-made to fit an individual's needs. Consider WHAT you'll be doing with your canoe, and you'll have a better idea what TYPE of canoe you'll be needing out there.

Next stop is the type of wood to be used in the canoe. Like most items made of wood in this plastics-and-metal age, wooden canoes are meant to be both functional and works of art. The most common types of wood used in canoe construction these days is cedar or birch, though other types of wood like ash, rosewood, or oak is used too.

Some canoe builders even create composite molds that layer wood over more modern materials like carbon graphite. Though if you're looking for a long term investment that will appreciate in value with collectors, get those purely wooden canoes for sale out there. Like classic hardwood furniture, if properly maintaned a completely wooden canoe with no synthetic materials added to it's consctruction will only get more valuable with time.

Lastly consider the hull design of the canoe. Make sure that it's properly steamlined so that you won't have to exert as much effort in paddling. A streamlined hull will glide across the water, not flounder in it, making paddling much easier on the rower. Then look at the maneuverability of the canoe; the hull shape and weight distribution of the canoe determines how quickly you can turn the boat.

Then take stability into account - the less the boat rocks in turbulence, the better off you are. Also keep in mind the amount of both seating and storage space provided by the hull. And of course, when choosing a hull design, take into account the aesthetics of the canoe. Wooden canoes possess a different appeal to people than metal and plastic ones, especially if the design of the canoe stands out and looks gorgeous. The design of the canoe and the gloss of the wood used in their construction make wooden canoes true works of art.