NAUTILUS CANOES.
Mama canoeing includes such various branches of work, and so many forms of canoes, each adapted particularly to its own branch and generally to all the others, that a consideration of canoe designs can hardly be successfully entered upon without first glancing at the rules and practices which at present guide the members of the Royal Canoe Club, who form the majority of British canoeists.
To construct a concise definition to comprehend a " canoe " is not an easy matter. No doubt the rules of the Royal Canoe Club do in a measure dictate what is and what is not a canoe ; but there are still many loopholes left by which a canoe can be invested with qualities which strictly do not belong to the " canoe " proper. The disintegrated materials from which a concise definition might be abstracted are, among others, some of the following : A canoe is a vessel propelled with a paddle or with sail by a person or persons facing forward; she is a vessel capable of navigating shallow water as well as open rough water; and she is a vessel not too large or heavy for land portage by two men when her ballast and stores have been removed. Therefore, a vessel propelled by oars or machinery, which, either by bulk of hull or weight of fixed ballast cannot be lifted by two men, is not adapted to the requirements, nor entitled to the appellation, of a " British canoe." The cruising work, for which a British canoe is mainly constructed, demands that she shall be as small and as light as possible compatible with sea-going qualities and carrying capacity ; but the occasional sailing matches in which such a craft may compete, suggest an increase of power by size and weight for sail-carrying purposes ; and, therefore, in order to protect the majority and to foster craft of the cruising type, it has been found necessary to check by club rules the introduction of mere racing machines, which, by lead, beam, and sail-area, might desert the canoe definition and become miniature yachts.
The Royal Canoe Club, however, does not attempt to define or limit the size, design, construction, or crew of canoes, except as regards sailing and paddling matches ; and, therefore, provided the canoeist does not intend to compete in the club matches, he may build his craft in any manner his experience or fancy may dictate. But there can be no question that under the club rules a most serviceable type of canoe for general cruising, and also a very perfect class of sea-going sailing canoes have been pro duced ; and as the canoes we are about now to consider are to conform strictly to the club rule, it may be advisable to set the rule out in full.
"Canoes eligible for these races shall not be over the following dimensions, viz. : first class, any material and build ; greatest length over all, from stem to sternpost, not more than 20ft., with a limit of beam of 2ft. ; but the beam may be increased by lain. for each whole foot of length de creased ; greatest depth at fore end of well under the centre of the deck to the garboards, not more than 16in. Fixed keel of wood not more than 2in. deep, including metal band, which must not exceed one-half of an inch deep."