How to Build a Canoe Stabilizer

By Bryan Hansel

Using an outrigger-style canoe stabilizer reduces the tenderness of a canoe. It allows paddlers to sail their canoe, stand up in their canoe, fish out of their canoe and walk around inside it, without the fear of tipping. Building a canoe stabilizer is a cheap and easy project most paddlers can complete in a day. This outrigger quickly attaches to and detaches from the boat. It's light and stores in the bilge when not in use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need:

1 1/2-inch PVC tube
PVC elbows
PVC glue
PVC T-fittings
Foam
PVC end caps
Velcro one-wrap

Step 1

Attach a PVC elbow to each end of a 7-foot piece of 1 1/2-inch PVC tubing. Spread the glue evenly around both the elbow and tubing. Make sure both elbows face the same direction.

Step 2

Glue a 6-inch piece of PVC tubing into the open ends of the PVC elbow.

Step 3

Glue PVC T-fittings to the bottom of the 6-inch piece of PVC. Attach the fittings perpendicular to the 7-foot piece of tubing.

Step 4

Cut two pieces of foam to the size you desire. The larger the piece of foam the more support and stability the canoe stabilizer will provide. A 1-by-1-by-6 foot chunk provides enough stability for most activities.

Step 5

Cut a 1 1/2-inch hole through the length of the chunk of foam. The hole should enter centered on the 1-by-1 foot side and should exit centered on the opposite 1-by-1 foot side.

Step 6

Cut a 1 1/2-inch hole through the center of the long side. This hole creates a "T" intersection with the last hole.

Step 7

Insert the PVC T-fitting into the last hole you drilled. Cover the inside of the fitting with glue before inserting it.

Step 8

Slide a 3-foot piece of PVC tubing into each side of the long hole and glue it into the PVC T-fitting. Adjust the size of the tubing, if you changed the size of the foam.

Step 9

Attach the canoe outrigger to the canoe's yoke using Velcro one-wrap.

Tips & Warnings

Round the bottom of the foam to glide over the water.

About The Author

Bryan Hansel is an outdoor photographer, writer, and guide. His work has appeared publications such as "Sea Kayaker Magazine", "Lake Superior Magazine", "Superior Outdoors", and "Minnesota Monthly". He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and religion from the University of Iowa. He lives in Grand Marais, MN.

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