Main

Canoes

Canoe Description

From 25 to 85 pounds, and made in many materials and sizes, canoes are a varied craft. With wide, stable canoes, narrow and fast ones, and solo and tandem craft, there is a canoe for almost any purpose. Below is a breakdown of boats by materials. Aluminum will last for decades, royalex slides over river rocks with ease, composite kevlar and fiberglass boats are sleek and light, and wood canvas is unparalleled in beauty and function.

Aluminum

Stiff, Durable, Economical

Popular since the 1950's when aluminum became widely available, these boats are still the choice for many rental companies and those who want a durable, no-maintenance craft. You can leave an aluminum canoe in the sun, rain and snow for 20 years without a problem, and aluminum canoes are lighter than they used to be; a 17' boat weighs 69 lbs. Our Grumman canoes are strongly built, stable and economically priced.

Royalex

Flexible, Tough, Light

Royalex has become the material of choice for moderately light-weight, yet durable canoes. Royalex canoes tend to be molded with more complex shapes than aluminum ones, and they are much quieter to carry and paddle, especially when scraping over rocks. As durable as aluminum, royalex canoes need little maintenance, and they can be dropped, banged, or even bent nearly in half and still spring back to shape with no more than a crease mark. Good all-around boats at just a slightly higher cost than aluminum. A 17' boat is about 63 lbs.

Composite

Stiff, Ultralight, Efficient

Kevlar, carbon and fiberglass combinations make up these sleek craft. Composite boats are the choice for those who want to slice efficiently through the water and for those wanting a boat that is easy to lift onto a car rack and carry over long portages. Though needing more care in handling to prevent damage, composite boats are not delicate and can, with care (and repair, if needed), outlast royalex canoes. 17' canoes run 40-55 lbs.

Wood Canvas

Elegant, Traditional, Sturdy

For those who have paddled one, there is no comparison to the ease and grace of paddling a wood and canvas canoe. These boats are works of art, but have also proven themselves to be highly durable, extremely repairable, and just plain fun. A 17' boat runs 65-75 lbs.

Whitewater

Maneuverable, Durable, Fun

Short, deep and highly rockered to promote easy turning, whitewater canoes are fun and will help you build great paddling skills. Solo boats give you the freedom to go anywhere you want, but tandem whitewater canoes can't be beat for the fun (and challenge) of teamwork.