Tandem Day

Ashes calls the Tandem Day its picnic and cottage canoe. She is 16 ft by 34.5 in, asymmetric below the waterline with less rocker aft and a finer entry, so she comes up to speed easily and holds a line better than a symmetrical hull, while moderate rocker still lets her turn. She was drawn for paddling in southwestern Ontario, where the canoe often has to be carried across a field or through brambles to the water, and one person can manage her from rack to river.

The asymmetric shape means a solo paddler cannot simply turn her round and paddle from the bow seat, which is the price paid for the better glide. Ashes keeps its recurved tumblehome in the middle stations to ease the reach for a kneeling solo paddler and to stiffen the hull. A light build with 3/16 in strips needs care, since the shallow arch bottom can flex, and the plans suggest a partial keel if it does.