Canoeing is an activity that can serve as a good way to pass the time at a lake or river, although you can also turn it into a competitive sport of sorts. For whatever purpose, there is the one-man trigger canoe that is among the types of outrigger canoes with lateral rigs. This canoe can have a single or double outriggers to provide balance while spars (iako) are provided along the gunwale which extends over the sides and end with the ama (flotation devices).
Going solo in the waters
Otherwise known as the solo outrigger, the one man trigger canoe is designed to seat a single person. The seats are commonly found in the middle of the canoe to promote balance and a more centered weight. The length of solo outriggers are usually from 19 to 21 feet, but there are also variants that are as long as 27 feet.
In the case of longer solo outriggers, the rockers are lower so you maintain stability when canoeing on flat waters. The weight of these canoes also depend on the materials that they are made of. Basically, standard fiberglass canoes can be as heavy as 17kg to 20kg and those made of composite materials are lightweight and can be as heavy as 12kg.
Not just for racing
The one man trigger canoe can also be used for racing and, in such cases, a lightweight one is most suitable. Apart from racing, lightweight outrigger canoes are easy to propel without making you exert too much effort on your paddle. Just make sure that the lightweight materials are of good quality so durability and stability are not taken for granted. Basically, you can go for carbon fiber materials although they can be a bit expensive. If that is the case, polyethylene is a cheaper yet sturdy alternative.
