Kevlar Canoe Warning

Red Rock Store issues the following warning:

Be on the lookout, folks! Desperate sales people of Brand X kevlar canoes (all made with vinylester resin - don’t forget that fact) are offering their new hull as being the same canoe as a Souris River Quetico 17.

One of my biggest Boundary Waters outfitters, after extensive paddling in real conditions has declared Brand X’s “supposedly-the-same-as-a-Quetico 17-canoe” a “dog” in the water compared to a Souris River Quetico 17.

It’s a typical Brand X in poorly fitting sheep’s clothing - narrow front end, no room for your feet, sluggish with a load, doesn’t handle rough water as well, etc. And, now, we’re hearing the SAME CRAP about epoxy degredation by the usual Brand X sales suspects.

Learn more about the Kevlar Canoe Warning

Kevlar Canoes

The light-weight strength and flexibility of a kevlar canoe makes it today’s top choice for many paddlers.

Kevlar canoes are manufactured using a process very similar to making a fiberglass canoe, using the “strong as steel” “bullet-proof vest” Kevlar fibers.

But - not all kevlar canoes are created equal.

Each of the top kevlar canoe brands offers something a little different in the manufacturing processes, various amounts of materials and the way the layers of fiber are layed together.  As a result, Bell Canoes, Old Town Canoes, Norcraft Canoes, Wenonah Canoes and Souris River Canoes - each produce a brand of kevlar canoes that offer unique benefits to the canoeist.

Types of Kevlar Canoes

Souris River Kevlar Canoes, Bell Canoes, Old Town Canoes, Norcraft Canoes and Wenonah Canoes are a few types of kevlar canoe manufactures - each produce a brand of kevlar canoe that offer unique benefits.

If you know of another Kevlar Canoe Maker  - please leave a comment here.

Paddle on!

Types of Canoes

There are almost as many different types of canoes as there are colors in the rainbow. Each variety of Canoe has its own unique strengths and weaknesses - and it will pay off well in the long-run if you take a bit of time to learn about each type of canoe.

Canoecopia, of course, is a great place to view the goods of many manufactures.  Here are a few pointers to help you start in the quest for the ideal canoe!

Wood Canoes.
To the traditionalist, the cost, the weight and the relative fragility of a Wooden Canoe are exactly what makes this type of canoe such a pleasure to own.

Wood/Canvas Canoes
Quiet and elegant on the water - these canoes are are also more durable than Wooden Canoes and are still prefered today by some of the best paddlers.

Aluminum Canoes
Thanks to aircraft technology, the aluminum canoe is nearly indestructible, low cost and fairly light weight.  For the weekend outdoorsman, these are often the best pick.

Fiberglass Canoes
There is a lot to be said about the benefits and drawbacks of a Fiberflass Canoe. They are strong, durable, easy to repair - and have nice low price tags.

Kevlar Canoes
Created in much the same way as fiberglass canoes, Kevlar Canoes include materials that are, gram for gram, just as strong as steel.  This results in the lightest and toughest conoes that you can buy.

Canoecopia Excitement

Canoecopia in Madison - March 7-9 2008

The folks who make the cut to present at Canoecopia are the best paddlers and teachers from all over the globe!

Alliant Energy Center of Dane County Madison, WI.
It’s never too late to make your Canoecopia experience Carbon-Neutral. Check out the carbon-neutral travel link to see how.

Hello Canoecopia and The Paddling World!

I know the Canoeing Capital of Canada is Atikokan Ontario.

I also know that the toughest, lightest Kevlar Canoe in the World is crafted in Atikokan by Souris River Canoes - and,  the Atikokan business Fletcher Canoes create most remarkable hand-crafted cedar-strip canoes.

And I also know that, as well as serving as the Headquarters to Quetico Wilderness Park, Atikokan also boasts about the XY Company, who create the finest-crafted bent-shaft paddles available to anyone.

Little know to most people, Mr Nati creates Birch Bark Canoes by hand - exactly the same as the First Nations people used to make.  I will have to find the picture from the Atikokan Canada Day Canoe Parade when Mr Nati paddled his birch bark canoe down the Atikokan river for the parade - his canoes are priceless.

But, inspite of all that - I had never heard of Canoecopia.  Until Now.

 And, like everything else, if I want to learn about something - I build a website about it. 

Welcome to my Canoecopia Fan Site! I’ll be reviewing and commenting on all aspects of the entire event - playing the roll of a Virtual Reporter!

See you there!