What Is a Cedar Strip on a Canoe?

You might have already heard that cedar strip canoes are considered to be some of the best canoes you can buy. But what are they really, and why are they called cedar “strip” canoes? Is there any significance to the term “strip” at all?

As the name suggests, cedar strip canoes feature a strip of cedar that is added as a base for the construction of the boat. Typically, a cedar strip canoe is better than one made entirely out of cedar or another material, such as fiberglass, because the different tensile strengths of each material will complement each other and add to the resilience, flexibility and balance of the boat as a whole.

Cedar strips are often used together with layers of fiberglass and epoxy in order to add to the tensile strength of the boat. This type of “strip building” method is used commonly for canoes made from wood, but they can involve many other types of wood as well – either through the addition of accent strips only used for show, or by using other types of wood for the main strip, instead of cedar.

If you want a boat that’s sturdy, balanced and incredibly easy to use, then a handmade cedar strip canoe is your best choice. It will keep you balanced as you learn to paddle, and it will provide you with the smoothest, safest and most pleasant experience you could have expected.