Before you launch
A good launch begins on dry land. Put on your life jacket (PFD), check the weather and water, and confirm you have the paddles, a whistle and anything else your local rules require. Load your gear near the water before you move the canoe, and decide who will sit where. If you are new, our canoe instruction guide covers the wider basics.
Choosing a launch spot and access rules
- Look for a gentle, firm entry. Gradual slopes and solid footing are easier than steep, muddy or rocky banks.
- Check for hazards. Keep clear of swimmers, boat traffic, strong current, weirs or dams, and overhanging branches.
- Check access rules. Whether you can launch anywhere depends on local law, land ownership and the water body. Public ramps and designated access points are the safest assumption. Some places require permits, inspections or fees. Check with the local authority or land manager, and see kayak and canoe laws by state for general rules.
- Respect the shoreline. Avoid launching across private land without permission, and avoid trampling sensitive banks.
Launching from a gently sloping shore
- Carry the canoe to the water’s edge and place it parallel to the shore, with the bow or the whole hull partly afloat in shallow water.
- Ideally keep enough of the boat on the bank that it will not drift, and make sure the water is deep enough that the hull will not scrape when loaded.
- Have a partner steady the canoe, or hold the gunwales yourself.
- Step into the center of the boat, keeping your weight low and over the centerline.
- Sit or kneel down and settle before the second person gets in.
- Push off with your paddle or hands, or have the partner on shore give a push.
Launching from a dock
Kayakers have their own version of this routine in how to launch a kayak from a dock.
- Lower the canoe gently into the water alongside the dock rather than dropping it.
- Keep the canoe parallel to the dock and secure it with a hand or a line.
- Sit on the dock edge first if that helps, then place your feet in the center of the canoe, shift your weight over, and lower yourself into the seat while holding the dock.
- Keep your weight low and avoid stepping onto the gunwale or one side.
- Get in one at a time. The stern paddler can steady the boat while the bow paddler gets in, then swap roles to get the second person aboard, or choose whichever order feels steadier.
Getting in tandem and solo
For a tandem canoe, the heavier or more experienced paddler often sits in the stern. Each person holds the gunwales, steps in one at a time with three points of contact (two hands and a foot, or similar), and keeps low.
Solo paddlers should step in on the centerline, and many choose to kneel near the center of the boat for stability.
Loading gear
- Load heavy items low and near the center.
- Keep the canoe balanced from side to side and level front to back, unless the wind calls for a small adjustment.
- Tie in or secure gear so it stays with the boat if you capsize, but avoid tying yourself to the canoe.
- Pack valuables in waterproof bags. Our what to bring kayaking list works for canoe outings too.
See can a canoe sink for why loading and flotation matter.
Getting out and landing
Approach the landing slowly and in a controlled way, with the canoe parallel to the shore or dock if possible. A draw stroke can bring you alongside (see canoe paddling strokes). Stay seated until the canoe is steady, then exit one person at a time, keeping weight low and holding the boat. Pull the canoe clear of the water so it does not drift away.
Common mistakes
- Stepping on the edge of the canoe instead of the center.
- Standing up while the canoe is floating.
- Loading gear after getting in.
- Launching where the current, wind or boat traffic is strong.
- Forgetting to secure the canoe when getting in or out.
FAQs
Are you allowed to launch a kayak or canoe anywhere? Not necessarily. Public access points are the safest assumption, and rules vary by country, state or province, and land owner. Check locally.
Why are canoes sometimes called “divorce boats”? It is a joke about how tandem canoeing can strain a relationship when partners do not communicate well. Practicing steering strokes and agreeing on signals usually helps.
What is the “120 rule” in kayaking? The term is sometimes used in cold-water safety discussions, where the combined air and water temperature is used as a rough guide for clothing choices, but its exact definition and usefulness vary by source. Treat it as a rough prompt to dress for immersion, not a rule you can rely on. See what to wear in cooler weather.
What is the “golden rule” of canoeing? Sources differ, but wearing your life jacket is a common answer.