The USCA created canoe and kayak specifications to keep racing fair. At USCA National Championships,  boats are measured (jigged) to ensure they meet specifications for their class. 

 

To learn  more about jigging, download  Jigging Overview and  SImplified Sea Kayak Jigging

 

USCA Canoe Specifications - Summary

 

Note: Single bladed paddles must be used in all canoe races

 

1. Pro Boat (3X27). C-2. Maximum length shall be 18'6". Minimum width shall be 27" at the 3" waterline and 33" on the top at the gunwale.

 

2. Competition Cruiser (4X32) C-1 and C-2. Note: Competiton Cruisers may race in the C2 Standard or C-2 Pro Boat (3X27) events. . Maximum length shall be 18 feet 6 inches (18'6"). Minimum width shall be 14 3/8% of the length (.14375times the length) at the 4 inch water line, measured within 12 inches fore and aft of the center of thecanoe.

 

3. Standard. Competition Cruisers can now compete in the Standard class.Effectively, the specs are therefore the same as the Competition class specs.

 

4. Stock Aluminum. Standard type aluminum canoes only. Maximum length shall be17 feet 4 inches.  The specifications of a stock canoe have been purposely left off, and the canoes will be judged "stock" by the Competition Chairman and the Technical Director of Inspection.

 

5. C4 Open Unlimited. Maximum length 25'11". Minimum weight 50 lbs. Must accommodae 4 paddlers.  Minimum gunnel width at widest point 32".  Paddlers must use canoe paddles. One of a kind boats are permitted.

Download Detailed C-4 Specs.

 

6. Outrigger Canoe OC-1. Any sit-on-top or sit-inside canoe with an outrigger float (ama) connected to the main hull by two spars (iakos).