There is some discussion on the forum about the percieved disadvantages of high ends on a canoe in the wind.
I have been wondering about this for some time. Seems the high ends come from many Native American birch bark designs.
So this makes me wonder. Why would people with THOUSANDS of years of experience build canoes with high ends? Could be for decoration, could be to make a more comfortable lean-to when sleeping under it, or maybe, just maybe it served some other function.
I have found I LIKE high ends when soloing into the wind. Yes, call me crazy! Point the high end just off wind and paddle on the same side. This allows strong paddling into the wind without changing sides or using correction strokes.
So I throw it out there to the canoeists and the birchbark makers. Is there more to a high end then meets the eye?
I have been wondering about this for some time. Seems the high ends come from many Native American birch bark designs.
So this makes me wonder. Why would people with THOUSANDS of years of experience build canoes with high ends? Could be for decoration, could be to make a more comfortable lean-to when sleeping under it, or maybe, just maybe it served some other function.
I have found I LIKE high ends when soloing into the wind. Yes, call me crazy! Point the high end just off wind and paddle on the same side. This allows strong paddling into the wind without changing sides or using correction strokes.
So I throw it out there to the canoeists and the birchbark makers. Is there more to a high end then meets the eye?