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Sit-on-top CANOEs

Erica

Erica

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I'm planning a trip to Europe this spring and wanted to paddle some of the rivers there with rented equipment. I can't bring everything on a plane, least of all a canoe.

The latest thing in canoe rentals (besides kayaks, of course) are sit-on-top canoes. They seem to be made of some plastic-like molded material. They are paddled with single blades.

This is what they look like:

Sit on Top Canoe

You can move the page back and forth to see other views.

Does anyone have experience with these canoes? (I am in touch with Aslowhand, Switzerland)
 
I've never heard the term "sit on top canoe" before and the pictures look like sit on top kayaks other than the sides look a few centimeters higher than I'm used to seeing. The pictures in the site show a mix of canoe and kayak paddles being used. They look like the typical low cost rentals that are not particularly good at anything but being stable and nearly indestructable. For a short day on a lazy river with nice scenery you'll have a nice time in one.
 
Those are known in the US at SOT (sit on top) kayaks. They are heavy, ungainly, and not much like a canoe at all. Commonly used in liveries and highly upfitted for fishing. They float superbly well, as they are double-layer polyethylene. They paddle like a barge, but hey, paddle the boat you have available.

1734654603534.jpeg

1734654667174.jpeg
 
Erica, I agree with the European terminology and hull similarity points made by @Punkinhead, @Benson Gray and @Tryin'. Those boats are just variations on the common SOTs that have now infested the USA. (Canadians, are they all over Canada, too?)

They are watercrafts traditionally paddled with double blades, like kayaks and pack canoes. You sit a bit higher off the water on a SOT than in a kayak, so I suppose you could try single blading one. In fact, I recall doing so. Yes, from a rental place on the Blackwater River near Pensacola, Florida.
 
In a recent thread I posted regarding the boat rental trend at the nature center where I am a volunteer. Kayaks are by far the most popular rental, especially the SOT variety - much easier to get in/out of and almost no capsize incidents. So for the general public, this type of boat makes the most sense.
 
The fun starts at about 39 seconds.

Falling over in the Ardeche

My impression is that I do not want to ride in one of those plastic bumper cars. I can't imagine having any control over the boat. I don't know if there is any difference in the boats, but some paddlers are using single blade paddles.

I will keep looking. I had had the thought to see Lucerne from the Ruess River, but Aslowhand has assured me the river is too dangerous there, filled with dams, etc. I'm looking at the upper Ruess, maybe. Someone in that area rents the inflatable canoe/kayaks that I used on the Upper Hudson River in spring flow. I'm traveling by train and these boats, deflated, are easily carried on the train.
 
Erica said:
I'm looking at the upper Ruess, maybe. Someone in that area rents the inflatable canoe/kayaks that I used on the Upper Hudson River in spring flow.
Click to expand...

Erica, I used to paddle the upper Hudson River a lot. Do you recall what section you paddled, the put-in or take-out? Just curious.
 
Glenn MacGrady said:
Erica, I used to paddle the upper Hudson River a lot. Do you recall what section you paddled, the put-in or take-out? Just curious.
Click to expand...
I wish I did. I was young enough then I thought I would remember all this. I know we came in on a side river that joined with the Hudson and we pulled out at a nice park. I know we went past the Blue Ledges, but only because I was told that. The water was moving much too fast for me to pay attention to the land forms. It was quite a ride.
 
Erica said:
The fun starts at about 39 seconds.

Falling over in the Ardeche

My impression is that I do not want to ride in one of those plastic bumper cars. I can't imagine having any control over the boat. I don't know if there is any difference in the boats, but some paddlers are using single blade paddles.

I will keep looking. I had had the thought to see Lucerne from the Ruess River, but Aslowhand has assured me the river is too dangerous there, filled with dams, etc. I'm looking at the upper Ruess, maybe. Someone in that area rents the inflatable canoe/kayaks that I used on the Upper Hudson River in spring flow. I'm traveling by train and these boats, deflated, are easily carried on the train.
Click to expand...

I doubt that those canoe shaped objects are as difficult to control as that video implies. I think you'd be better off in one of those than an inflatable - on that river anyway. Especially on that bony drop. Only problem I see is keeping your distance from all the floating pinballs.
 
Erica, there used to be an expat from England living in the south of France who ran a guided canoe trip down a certain river (might've been the Ardèche but I don't remember). I bookmarked his business but can no longer find that. What drew me to his business is that he outfitted with NC canoes (prospectors?) and looked to be an excellent cook. Tents etc provided. That trip was on my bucket list but other things always got in the way. Those rotomolded rafty things make perfect business sense to the outfitters there and might make a decent paddling/swimming platform, purists bedamned. I say go for it. Eat well, drink well, sleep well, and enjoy the hedonism life en France.
 
Erica said:
I wish I did. I was young enough then I thought I would remember all this. I know we came in on a side river that joined with the Hudson and we pulled out at a nice park. I know we went past the Blue Ledges, but only because I was told that. The water was moving much too fast for me to pay attention to the land forms. It was quite a ride.
Click to expand...

It sounds as if you ran the most difficult section, the class 3-4 Hudson Gorge run, which begins on two miles of the continuous class 3 Indian River. Impressed.

American Whitewater: Indian River to North River (Hudson Gorge)​

 
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