​​Accessories For Canoes That Make Paddling More Enjoyable

Canoeing is a truly unique paddling passtime. For one, canoes are generally more hollow and open than other vessels. The paddling method, stance, and equipment also differ. Canoeing can be done in various aquatic conditions, but it’s a hobby best enjoyed in placid bodies of water, where one can enjoy the slow and quiet pace that comes effortlessly in these boats. Canoeing is both soothing and invigorating, and with the right accessories, it can also be comfortable and a lot of fun.

Some of the best accessories to help provide a more enjoyable canoe experience include a comfortable seat cushion, a paddle leash, and a kneeling pad. Ensure you have a comfortable PFD that fits properly, and consider buying a canoe cart to make transporting your vessel easier. Other items canoe enthusiasts can invest in to enhance every paddling adventure include an anchor, a filtered water bottle, dry bags, paddling gloves, and a canoe cooler.

Canoes are often larger than kayaks and SUP boards, and the hollow interior provides a lot of usable space. Sure, you don’t need to fill the boat with a bunch of gadgets and comforts to have a good time paddling in a canoe, but it makes things more fun. If you or someone you love is a canoe enthusiast, then keep reading. Below is a list of accessories that are sure to make all your future canoe journeys more enjoyable.

10 Canoe Accessories That Help Make Paddling More Enjoyable

1. A Cushioned Seat

Paddling in a canoe requires a unique posture, paddle, and stroke. The common canoe stance is a seated position, which is simple and comfortable enough. If you take longer paddling routes, however, the seat can become painful and unbearable.

Luckily, there are many different cushioned canoe seats to choose from. Some seats act as additional flotation devices, while others are filled with cooling gel material, offering the ultimate comfort on longer paddles. For those who paddle often, and for several hours, a cushioned seat can be a game changer.

2. Paddle Leash

You might not drop your paddle very often, but when you do, it’s nice to know it’s connected to your canoe. Paddling leashes might seem unnecessary, but retrieving a dropped paddle can be difficult, and sometimes impossible, especially if you have a heavy canoe oar that doesn’t float.

Paddling leashes ensure you never lose your paddle while canoeing. It’s an easy and unobtrusive addition to your paddling gear that helps remove some unnecessary stress from this otherwise tranquil activity.

3. Kneeling Pad

While canoeing is often done in the seated position, there are also times you may find yourself kneeling in your canoe. Whether you are passing over low-lying trees, trying a different stance, or simply reaching for a cold beverage in your cooler, kneeling is inevitable.

There are kneeling pads made specifically for canoes that make kneeling comfortable and easy on your joints. They can also double as cushions for passengers who want a padded seat. They are small and easy to stow, but come in handy more than you’d think.

4. A PFD That Fits

Every paddler knows the importance of wearing a PFD at all times. But new PFDs are expensive, especially high-quality and lightweight models. Still, owning a PFD that fits properly and is comfortable to wear for hours is crucial.

When you have a PFD that fits properly, it’s easier to paddle, as you have a free range of motion. Feeling less confined also helps you relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings, which is better than feeling constantly constrained.

5. Canoe Cart

Canoes can be one of the heaviest paddling vessels, and they are also awkward to carry. Some canoes are impossible to move without the help of one or two other people. If, however, you have a canoe tow cart, loading and unloading your canoe becomes much easier.

A canoe cart turns the belabored chore of schlepping your boat to and from the car and launch site into a safe and simple task. A canoe cart takes away a lot of the headaches involved with canoe transport, and might even inspire you to venture out more frequently.

6. Water Bottle With Filter

If you’re searching for the perfect gift for the paddler in your life, then a quality water bottle with a built-in filtration system is a great option. These water bottles aren’t cheap, but they allow paddlers to drink just about any fresh water they can find.

Some brands, including GRAYL water bottles, filter out impurities, bacteria, and even microscopic viruses. These water bottles allow you to pack less water for long journeys, especially if you canoe in fresh water.

7. Paddling Gloves

If you suffer from callused hands and blisters after a long day of canoeing, then it’s time to start shopping for paddling gloves. These gloves provide a thick layer of protection between your skin and the oar. They help prevent irritation, blisters, and other maladies.

These gloves also provide a great grip. This can help make your stroke stronger and prevent your hands from slipping, even when the paddle shaft is wet.

8. Dry Bags, Bow Bags, and Thwart Bags

A dry bag is essential on just about any paddling voyage. On a canoe, they are even more important, since canoes are more exposed than kayaks. There is also plenty of room inside a canoe, which means you have room for more storage.

Consider buying bow bags and thwart bags. These canoe-specific storage bags are attached to corresponding parts of your vessel (the bow, or thwart), keeping items securely in place. This makes them easy to reach and safe, even if you capsize.

8. Anchor

Canoes have lots of space to stretch out and relax. This makes them great for fishing, picnicking, or simply floating along. Sometimes, instead of floating slowly across a lake, you want to stay still. Whether you are taking a dip or a snack break, an anchor helps keep your canoe in place, so you can relax and forget about your trajectory for a bit.

A canoe anchor is also handy when you take shore breaks, as it can keep your boat safe in shallow rocky water and firmly ashore on sandy surfaces.

9. Monopod For Photography And Video

Canoes are a fantastic paddling vessel for photography lovers. There is space to bring a full camera setup, and it’s easy to ride tandem in a canoe. Another benefit of a canoe is that you can move slowly and easily stabilize your camera to take crisp and in-focus shots.

A monopod is a great tool for those who love capturing moments on the water. Tripods can be a bit cumbersome to set up in a canoe. Monopods are easier to use, and still provide fantastic stability for both still photography and videos. They also take up very little space.

10. Canoe Cooler

Canoes are the perfect vessel for having a floating picnic. You can recline and even set out a blanket with snacks. But a picnic isn’t complete without some cold beverages, fresh fruit, and maybe even cheese and sandwiches. This is where a canoe cooler comes in handy.

There are various canoe cooler designs. Some are easy-to-carry bags, while others attach securely to the bow or thwart. Others can even double as a seat for a fellow passenger. Every canoe ride is better when you have a cooler filled with tasty treats within reach.