Boat Types and Designs
Definitions
- Gunwale - The upper edge of a boat or ship.
- Outwale - An outwale is the outer piece of a boat's gunwale, or the upper edge of a boats' side. Outwales are also known as rubrails.
- Hull - The watertight body of a boat that provides shape, buouyancy, and stability. It's the part of the boat that sits in and on the water.
- Waterline - The line where a boat's hull meets the water's surface.
- Sponson- A feature on any watercraft that extends from the hull or other part of the vessel to aid in stability while floating, or to act as a securing point for other equipment.
- Outrigger - A long, extended structure that significantly projects away from the main body of a boat, often used to enhance stability in open waters.
- Keel - A raised line that runs from the bow to the stern of the canoe, joining the two halves of the hull.
- Beam - The beam is the widest part of the boat.
- Bow - The bow of a boat is the front or "forward" part of the hull.
- Stern - The stern of a boat is the back or "aft" part of the hull.
- Port - The port side of a boat is the left of the boat when facing forward.
- Starboard - The starboard side of the a boat is the right of the boat when facing aft.
- Thwart - A horizontal beam in a boat that provides rigidity.
- Rudder - A flat piece hinged vertically near the stern of a boat or ship for steering.
- "3X27" and "4X32" - A "3x27" measurement on a boat refers to a specific dimension, where the boat must be at least 27 inches wide at the 3 inch waterline. Meaning the point where the boat is sitting 3 inches deep in the water; essentially, it defines a maximum boat width at a specific draft level for racing purposes. Similarly a "4X32" measurememnt is at least 32 inches wide at the 4 inch waterline.
C2 - Open
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This class is for racing canoes that fit the 3x27 designation. Boats are to be a maximum length of 18 feet 6 inches and they should measure at least 27 inches wide at the 3 inch waterline. The 4x32 cruisers are also accepted in this class.
Specifications
- Maximum length of the hull shall be 18'6" (18 ft 6 in.).
- Minimum heights, measured from the 0" waterline:
- 15" Bow
- 10" Center
- 10" Stern
- The minimum-height gunwale line shall form a continuous, smooth arch-curve.
- Minimum Width:
- 33" on the top, at the gunwale line.
- 27" wide at the 3" waterline or 3" of draft.
- The points at which the 33" minimum top-width measurement and the 27" minimum waterline-width measurement are taken may be divided by up to 14" maximum.
- The 33" minimum top-width and the 27" minimum waterline-width, may be measured a maximum of 14" fore or aft of the center of the canoe.
- The cross-section(s) of the hull at the location(s) of the 33" minimum top-width and the 27" minimum waterline-width shall have no more than 1/4" (one-quarter inch) concavity between the 3" waterline and the gunwale line of the hull.
- No concave curve(s) are allowed under the 3" waterline. The imperfections from repairs will be tolerated but will have to be very minimal to conform to the regulations.
- All of the measurements will be verified on the exterior of the hull. Gunwales, sponsons and keels shall not be included in the measurement whether added to the hull or built into the hull.
- Outwales: Any additions to outwales must be made on the gunwales and cannot extend more than 1 1/2 inches outward and downward from the hull.
- Flotation: All canoes must have securely fastened or permanently built in flotation to support a 25 pound weight in a boat filled with water.
- Water Removal: Any type of person-powered (or passive) bailer, pump or siphon may be used in any USCA boat.
- Rudders: There shall be no mechanical steering devices in any USCA canoe classes. This does not include fixed keel or skegs as deemed allowable under present keel and concavity rules.
C2 - Stock
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This class is for canoes designed for back country touring or tripping. The term “Stock” implies the boat should be “off the rack” and hulls should not be modified. Boats listed below are approved to race in the stock class. Boats not listed below are not allowed to race in the stock class. To add a boat to the approved list, please contact a NYPRA board member regarding the boat in question.
Current List of Approved Stock boats by Manufacturer:
- GRB Newman Design
- Traveler I
- Traveler II
- Monarch
- Wenonah Canoes
- Jensen 17
- Jensen 18
- Sundowner
- Minnesota II
- Monarch
- Odyssey
- Escape
- Escapade
- Wenonah 17
- Spirit II
- Champlain
- Swift
- Keewaydin 17
- Keewaydin 18'6"
- Prospector 17
- Dumoine
- Mad River
- Lamoille
- Horizon
- Malecite
- Bell/Northstar
- Northwind
- Northwoods
- B 17
- Seliga
- Polaris
- Savage River
- Susquehanna
- Deep Creek
- Blackhawk
- H2O Canoe
- Canadian 17'6", 16'6"
- Prospector 18'6", 17'6"
- Paramount 16'6"
- Boundary 17'4"
- Super Cruiser
- Outfitter 18'6", 17'4"
- Horizon 17
- 222 Slingshot
- Voyageur 17
C1 - Open Solo
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This class is for racing canoes that fit the 4x32. Boats are to be a maximum length of 18’6” and they should measure at least 32” wide at the 4 inch waterline.
Despite the GRB Concept not meeting the Specifications below, NYPRA allows this design in Open Solo competiton. See our page on Experimental Boat Specs for more information.
Specifications
- Maximum length is 18 feet 6 inches (18'6").
- Minimum width shall be 14 3/8% of the length (.14375 times the length) at the 4 inch water line, measured within 12 inches fore and aft of the center of the canoe.
- The exterior surface of the transverse cross section below the 7-inch water line shall be convex, not concave, except at transitions to built-in keels.
- The minimum height at the bow shall be 15 1/2 inches. The minimum depth for the rest of the canoe shall be 11 1/2 inches.
- The sheer of the gunwale shall have a minimum radius of 30 inches and shall be an integral part of the boat with a continuous curve.
- Decks and Float Tanks (shoe, cowl, and enclosed dam) may not be more than 1 1/2 inches above the gunwale at any point. The maximum length of decks or float tanks shall be 36 inches. (Full decking is not permitted unless specifically stated in the written rules for a given race or as stated below.)
- In addition to the maximum 36” decking allowance at bow and stern, an additional maximum of 18” combined thwart plus lunch counter depth (measured along the keel) is allowed. A maximum radius of 3” is allowed to tie in any thwart/lunch counter to the gunwales.
- Outwales: Any additions to outwales must be made on the gunwales and cannot extend more than 1 1/2 inches outward and downward from the hull.
C1 - Solo Stock
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This class is for canoes designed for back country touring or tripping. The term “Stock” implies the boat should be “off the rack” and hulls should not be modified. Boats listed below are approved to race in the stock class. Boats not listed below are not allowed to race in the stock class. To add a boat to the approved list, please contact a NYPRA board member regarding the boat in question.
- GRB Newman Design
- Classic
- Classic XL
- Wills Boat
- Sawyer
- Summer Song
- DY Special
- Shock Wave
- Savage River
- Otegan (modified)
- Blackwater
- Mad River
- Independance
- Explorer 16T
- Wenonah Canoes
- Advantage
- Prism
- Encounter
- Solitude
- Solo Plus
- Swift
- Cruiser
- H2O Canoe
- Solo 16-6
- 202 Slingshot
K1 - Open (Formerly Unlimited)
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Any single kayak, sit-on-top or surf ski that has a maximum overall length that is greater than 20' and/or a 4" waterline beam that is less than 17" must compete in this class, however paddlers may compete in this class with any kayak. (This follows USCA specs)
Popular boats that qualify for this class include, but are not limited to:
- Epic Kayaks
- Epic V10
- Epic V10L
- Epic V11
- Epic V12
- Epic V1
- Stellar Kayaks
- Stellar SEL
- Stellar SES
- Stellar SEA
- West Side Boat Shop
- West Side Boat Shop Thunderbolt
- West Side Boat Shop Wave Excel
- West Side Boat Shop Wave Exceed
- Think Kayak
- Think Uno Max
- Think Uno
- Think Ion
- Think Evo
- Most Olympic sprint K1's
K1 - Sport (Formerly Touring)
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This class combines boats that would race in the USCA Touring or Sea Kayak classes. Any single kayak, sit-on-top, or surf ski with a maximum overall length that is 20' or less and has a 4" waterline beam that is 17" or greater may compete in this class.
Popular boats that qualify for this class include, but are not limited to:
- Epic Kayaks
- Epic 18X
- Epic V8
- Epic V8 Pro
- Epic V9
- Epic V10 Sport
- Stellar Kayaks
- Stellar S18R
- Stellar S18S
- Stellar SR
- Stellar SEI
- Stellar Falcon
- GRB K Force Kayak
- West Side Boat Shop EFT
- Kayak Pro Jet
- Think Kayak
- Think Six
- Think Zen
- Think Ace
- Nelo Boats
- Nelo 560
- Nelo 550
- Most traditional sea and touring kayaks
Recreation
This class is for boats that otherwise don’t fit in the above classes. Some race organizers may choose to break this class into smaller classes (SUP, Guide Boats, Recreational Canoes, etc).