How to Hold a Canoe Underwater

The primary purpose of a canoe is to transport people and equipment without getting wet -- and certainly not sinking -- but it is possible to hold some canoes underwater. Metal canoes will be easier to hold underwater than a wooden canoe, as wooden canoes are naturally buoyant. Some canoes also come with foam flotation devices or air pockets built into the canoe, which are intended to prevent the canoe from sinking.

Things You'll Need

  • Saw
  • Rope
  • 2 Canoes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach the rope to something on the canoe, such as the thwart. Tie the other end to the second canoe, boat or dock, so that the canoe is easily retrieved from beneath the surface.

    • 2

      Tip the canoe on its side and let it slowly fill up with water. As the canoe fills with water, use your weight to push it down. For a wooden canoe, you may need the help of several people to exert enough force to sink it.

    • 3

      Investigate either end of the canoe if you are unable to get it under the water. Some canoes come with an air pocket, or a piece of foam built in to the frame of the canoe, which will be located underneath the deck, at either end of the canoe, and will appear as a bulge in the the hull.

    • 4

      Cut into the bulge, air pocket or flotation foam. This will not render the canoe unusable, but may create problems with the hull that make the canoe less safe. Only use this option if it is vital to sink the canoe.

    • 5

      Remove the foam flotation from the hole, then fill it with water. It should now be relatively easy to fill the hull with water and sink the canoe.