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Big Canoe

A big canoe is any canoe that can fit more than five people in it. The traditional size for a canoe only accommodates two people comfortable and many times they are only suitable for one person at a time. Larger canoes can fit many more people often at least 20. They were mostly used in the Pacific Northwest were giant cedar trees up to 300 feet high are abundant.

One of the first cultures to create the big canoe was related to the Inuit. Native Americans in the northwest have been building seafaring canoes for thousands of years, many of them including sails that greatly increased their range. They could over fifty miles from the coast, probably much further. Many European explorers were quite surprised at the craftsmanship of their sea going vessels.

Another big canoe was used in Africa, actually the biggest canoe. It is over a hundred feet long and has used as a warring canoe. At least fifty people could paddle the boat while more were able to throw spears off of it at enemy boats and shorelines. These long and narrow canoes were widely used on coastal waters but were not suitable for river travel, which is difficult in Africa anyway because there are so many waterfalls.

 

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