I have a question for someone in or near the bayous. I was wondering, what is the difference between a pirogue and a bateau (sp?)? I always thought a bateau was larger than a pirogue but a friend says they are basically the same.
Andy
Andy
Two completely different boats used for different purposes.
A bateau is what most call a john boat but usually has a front deck. A wide flat bottom boat with a squared off bow instead of a pointed and a squared off stern. These generally have a 5hp up to 150hp motor depending on size. Size will be from 10' to 20' but can be larger. Designed to run in shallow bayous and small lakes where waves are not a problem. they can carry from 1-6 people.
A pirogue is similar to a canoe, but without the rounded bottom. Both bow and stern are pointed and usually 10'-14' long. They are designed to be paddled or poled but most cajuns stand up and use a push pole. I have been using one since I was 8 years old. Designed to go in cypress swamps or shallow small marsh ponds with just a few inches of water. They carry 1 or at most 2 people.
See web site: http://www.native-waters.com/?page_id=46
Look at pictures in rows, first row far right is a bateau with a skiff and pirogue in back ground, second row far left pirogue, third row third picture from left are two pirogues.
Thanks Lamon
Makes sense. I don't believe I'd be standing in a pirogue though. I've overturned canoes while sitting so standing would certainly dunk me. Looks like a bateau would be a good duck boat.
Andy
Thanks Lamon
They are not hard to stand in, you have to remember that you usually have a push pole for balance.
I got my wife a new pirouge for Christmas, and she loved it.
Thanks Lamon
I'm glad Lamon caught this because he knows...
Being a big 6'2 and born in NJ, I always had trouble with pirogues.
I bought my first at a garage sale in the 70s and really could not use it because of the instability and I do have a good sense of balance.
About 25 years ago, I bought a 12’‘Yankee pirogue’ that was made by this fiberglass shop in Chalmette,Louisiana. It has a curved/bevel sides with flat bottom and is made a fiberglass/kevlar. I can take it solo and also have another person with equipment. I still don’t try to push pole it because I want to stay dry and avoid cosmic embarrassment. I still have it and use it since it is almost indestructible.
The best push polers are the ones who started as kids on bayous and canals etc.
The pirogue is a descendent of the dug-out cypress canoes that were built by Indians and original settlers.
I have seen gator hunter with a 10' dead aligator in a small piroge coming in from the swamps. It looked like he was poling on a gator from a distance.
Andy
A pirogue is much more stable than a canoe because of the way the bottom and sides are made. No round sides or bottem just flat square edges with the ones made of wood, so no problem standing up with a little practice.
