the winds of change - nova craft canoe · kids seem less than inspired and restless. terri and i...

N O V A C R A F T . C O M1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

Spring 2014 Volume 6

Well without a doubt the biggest news in theworld of canoeing this year is the upcoming demise of Royalex production. Royalex is an ABSplastic sheet that has been a real mainstay inthe canoe industry for 40 years or more. The combination of solid ABS sheets sandwiching afoam core has proven to be a near indestructible material for whitewater canoeing and expeditionwork. More recently improved fabricating techniques have been able to lower the weightsand Royalex has gained a very strong footholdin the recreational and tripping market.

Royalex was originally invented and manufactured by Uniroyal at their plant in Warsaw, IN where it has been produced eversince. While it is an exceptional material for canoes, it never really caught on in any other

large scale applications. A number of years agothe facility was bought by Spartech Plastics, avery large producer of plastic sheet goods. Inearly 2013, after Spartech had a few rough years following the recession, they were bought outby PolyOne an even larger player in the plasticindustry. PolyOne immediately increased theprice of Royalex by 23%. While this was onerous, most in the canoe industry breathed asigh of relief that at least they were continuingproduction. However this relief was short-livedas PolyOne made an announcement at the endof July that in order to cut costs they were closing six plants including the Warsaw facility.Since the machinery to produce Royalex is inneed of replacement and the market for Royalexis relatively small PolyOne has decided to cease

production in April when they mothball the Warsaw plant.

While Nova Craft and other canoe manufac-turers have placed orders to carry through forthis season, once that supply is used up, Royalexis done. Right now our orders are very strong soif you were thinking of a new Royalex canoe itwould be best to act sooner rather than later.

Nova Craft will remain a leader in the canoe industry since we have a strong composite program as well as rotational moulding to carry us through the transition looking for a replacement for Royalex. Experimental projectsare in the works and just as we have found and implemented new products in the past we areconfident we will do so again. Nothing like a good storm to get you paddling harder!

THE WINDS OF CHANGE

Thanksgiving Day indeed! Tim Miller.

Spring 2014

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE I BUY A CANOE?Think of a canoe as a long term investment; you will probably go through a few computers, TVs, and even vehicles before youstart to see the end of your canoe’s usefulness. The longevity of a canoe will help you create and reflect on lots of fond memories;from your first quick solo day-paddle, to a weekend adventurewith your best friend, to a long expedition with a group of fellowpaddlers.

To choose the right canoe, please consider the following:

1. What type of paddling do you want to do?Will the canoe be used on flatwater, whitewater, or both? A greatflatwater canoe will not be the best in big river rapids. Converselya great whitewater canoe will not be the best choice for crossinglakes. A flatwater canoe should be more straight keeled to assist in tracking. It should also be shallower to reduce the effects ofwind, be narrower and have finer entry lines for speed. A goodwhitewater canoe needs to have some rocker to facilitate quickturns. They will also be deeper and will usually have fuller endsfor a drier ride. If you are looking to paddle on both flatwater andwhitewater you will need a canoe with good multi-purpose characteristics.

2. What will the typical trip duration be?Will you only be out for an hour or two at the cottage or are yougoing to go downriver for two weeks? A typical cottage canoe can be small because it will probably only hold the paddlers and a small amount of gear. An expedition canoe will have to have alarger volume to hold all your food, tents, and packs for your entiretime in the interior.

3. How many people will be using the canoe at one time?You need to make sure there is enough room in the canoe foreveryone. A family canoe that needs to carry four people will obviously need to be bigger than one used for solo paddling. Don’t forget to include pets into the equation. Big dogs that like to move around a lot can easily be equal to one human passenger.

4. How light does it need to be for portaging and car-topping?If you plan on doing a lot of portaging you need to consider theweight of your canoe. You also need to remember that while you may not portage, you still may need to put your boat on top of your vehicle from time to time. Make sure you can lift it comfortably and safely.

5. What material is best for your needs?Composite canoes are lighter and offer better glide through thewater whereas plastic boats (Royalex, Royalex Plus and SP3) aretougher and are more appropriate where severe impacts mayoccur. Whitewater canoes will need to be made of more durablematerials to cope with impacts. Flatwater canoes can be made oflighter materials for portaging from lake to lake.

6. What is your budget?As a general rule, lighter canoes are more expensive. While youmay have decided that you need a high end boat, the practicalmatter of expense must be considered.

Also see page 14.

For a better understanding of boating terms and characteristics,please visit novacraft.com/canoepurchase.htm

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

3

4 5

6

CONTENTS3

4

5

6

7

8

Once Around Algonquin - An Epic Canoe Journeywritten by Kevin Callan

Love Letter to my Canoewritten by Leanne Allison

New WhitewaterCanoes

Prospector Series Canoes

Family Bonds on the Windwritten by Peter Mather

Paddles and Canoeswritten by Rolf Kraiker

9

10

11

13

14

15

Recreational Series Canoes

Cruiser SeriesCanoes

Choosing the Right Canoe for You & Trim Systems

Canoe Specifications

Recreational, Whitewater &Outfitter Series Canoes

Materials, Accessories & Options, Glossary of Terms

Spring 2014


ONCE AROUND ALGONQUIN - AN EPIC CANOE JOURNEYwritten by Kevin Callan

This past summer my regular canoe mate, AndyBaxter, and I took on Algonquin’s Meanest Link - afull circle of the park. It took 16 days, covered 350kilometers (220 miles), 55 lakes, 6 rivers (3 thathad to be paddled upstream), and 93 portagesadding up to 68 kilometers (42 miles). It was onecrazy trip; one I wouldn’t do again but an experience I’m glad I had. I lost 10 lbs., gainedmuscles I've never seen on my body before andhad mosquito bites all over my genitalia. Doesn’tsound pleasant - and some of it wasn’t. The mostprominent silly portion was going up the Big EastRiver. Never again! Four days of walking up rapids80% of the time - sometimes up to your waist.Andy, my poor canoe partner who took some holiday time to join me, was pissed at my routechoice by day two. That’s way too early for acanoe partner, and good friend, to be pissed atyou. His profanity was somewhat justified, however. This route around Algonquin Park isproperly titled. The Meanest Link is exactly that -mean. Problem was, my main focus of the trip wasto promote more people to get out and paddlewilderness areas for long periods of time. I thinkthe trip accomplished that. By the half way pointAndy and I had gained over 10,000 people fol-lowing our trip on line, all having the urge to bewith us.

What kept us going was the sheer magnitudeof Algonquin. This is one big and beautiful park.By day 12 we were more relaxed, more in shape.The area we were paddling in also didn’t seemany people. We were alone and truly enjoyingthe wilderness solitude. It reminded me so muchof a quote I like from Robert Perkins film One Manin a Boat. Perkins looks out at a remote wildernesssection and says “I feel like rolling it up in a balland swallowing it so no one else can have it.”

Ending the trip was just as consequential asstarting it. We unknowingly chose the day of thebig Huntsville bathtub races to finish. Helicoptersbuzzed overhead, speedboats and Jet-Skis

churned up the water around us, and even a police boat pulled us over for a ride check. In theconfusion Andy and I found ourselves in the centre of the bathtub race and had the organizerbelittle us from the loudspeaker.

Hundreds of people lined the Huntsville docks,but only a handful were there to witness Andyand I complete our epic trip. Gord Baker from Algonquin Outfitters, and a couple of his staff,helped us unload and portage through the fans ofthe bathtub race. The ending was perfect for us,really. Rather then have banners hung and peoplecheering for us at the finish line, our accomplish-ments were overshadowed by a bunch of localspropelling themselves across the water with motorized bathtubs. How ironic.

You’d think of course that we would be cravingthe company of other people, or at least a chance

to drink a beer and feast on a greasy burger andfries. The whole ordeal, however, was an absoluteculture shock. Both Andy and I missed the wilderness and were having a very difficult timeadjusting. There were definitely countless timesduring the trip where we wanted to give up onbattling the bugs and long portages. But now wehad this strange desire to paddle away from thecomforts of Huntsville and do the foolish trip allover again.

That was the proof I was looking for — thatfeeling of association with the natural world afterspending a long period of time amongst it. It wasthe verification that the desire to immerse oneselfin a wilderness setting overpowered the addictionto civilized comforts.

To quote John Muir, “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginningto find out going to the mountains is going home;that wilderness is a necessity…”

Look for the video series of Kevin’s trip bygoing to his KCHappyCamper You Tube channel,and read the full account of the trip by going tohis Explore Magazine blog at explore-mag.com.

web site: kevincallan.com

What kept us going was thesheer magnitude of Algonquin.

This is one big and beautiful park.

Spring 2014


several rest days, so the kids don’t have to packup camp and set up camp every day. We takenumerous hikes so the kids can enjoy one of themost unique environments in the world. Thekids seem less than inspired and restless. Terriand I are worried as we leave the mountains.

Too soon, the mountains are in the rear viewmirror. The quick, clean, and intimate waters ofthe Wind are replaced by the slow, brown, andwide waters of the Peel River. We have planned6 long days on the Peel to cover the final 300kilometers to our take out in Fort MacPherson.Most paddlers have a float plane pick them upon the Peel to avoid this ordeal. Planes can landon the Peel, because it is a lot like a lake. We'reworried about the kids, how will they react aftera less than inspired trip on the inspiring section.

We really shouldn't have worried about thekids. They are in heaven on the Peel; they lovethe new found direction of our trip. Every morning, they are up early, packed and ready to go. They surprise and infect us with their enthusiasm. They paddle, play cards, swim, tellriddles, swim, and then swim some more. Theirfavorite part is floating or rafting our canoes together. “Can we raft? When can we raftagain?” accompanied us down river. We wileaway our afternoons, as Terri reads them thenew river classic, “To Kill a Mocking Bird.” Theyare finally having the trip of a lifetime. They arejust kids being kids.

Last summer, my partnerTerri and I, decided to takeour kids on their first epiccanoe trip. We were hoping tohook them on canoeing for-ever, so we went big andbeautiful: A 30 day epic ad-venture on the Wind River innorthern Yukon. The Wind is

a tributary of the Peel River, and one of the classicwilderness rivers of Western Canada. It is realwilderness in a bottle, a land with little to nohuman footprint, and beauty that I can't describe.

Of course, kids being kids, we probably could takethem for a month long canoe trip on our backyardcreek and they would have the trip of a lifetime.

Kennedy, Ava and Maya are just into their teens.Like typical kids they love adventure, but aren't sokeen on hard work, so we plan our trip accordingly.We spend the first three weeks in the mountains.The river is tucked into the last corner of RockyMountains, and it is basically Banff National Parkwithout hotels and golf courses. We plan to have

FAMILY BONDS ON THE WINDwritten by Peter Mather

Every morning, they are up early,packed and ready to go.

They surprise and infect us with their enthusiasm.

Spring 2014


first kiss like that. Maybe even no husband. Or onethat, heaven forbid, didn’t like canoeing.

Fast forward another decade or so and it was acanoe that propelled my family (husband, 2 yearold son, and border collie) from our home in

Canmore to the shores of Hudson Bay as part of alonger journey to meet author Farley Mowat inCape Breton. No canoe, no incredible family bonding, no meeting famous author. None of it.

In fact it wasn’t until that trip that we reallystarted to appreciate how incredible the canoe is.Up until then we’d only canoed on western rivers.The canoe worked well, but so did other crafts like

kayaks and rafts. But once we hit shield countrywe realized the canoe was king. No other craft cantouch it. The canoe is the grand soloist.

I came across this quote about love recently andnow I realize that you could easily substitute theword love for canoeing and it would describe whatcanoe tripping has meant in my life perfectly. Itgoes like this:

Love (canoeing) is a human act of becoming, acondition that is invented and modified moment bymoment and day by day, by the will and the i ntelligence and the heart.

From ‘Stoner’ by John Williams.

Both love and canoeing, in this context are abridge to something larger than ourselves. Canthere be a greater gift? I don’t think so. So thankyou canoe. Sorry it’s taken me so long to say it.

www.necessaryjourneys.ca

I feel like I owe my canoe an apology. I’ve takenit for granted my entire life. I’m half way from 40to 50 and I’m finally showing some gratitude. Finally showing some respect for what an incredible craft it is. If I try to imagine what my lifewould have been like without a canoe, I can’t. Itwould be like imagining Canada without thecanoe. It’s impossible. One has shaped the other.

My earliest adventure was in a canoe. I can stillfeel myself as an 11-year-old skinny-armed girldesperately trying to keep a loaded Grummancanoe straight from the stern as we hurtled downthe Devil’s Elbow rapids on the NorthSaskatchewan river in Alberta. I can still rememberbeing on the banks of that river brushing my teethunder a blanket of stars. I knew then and therethat I’d found my nirvana. Rivers have been myhappy place ever since.

Zoom ahead a decade and it was a canoe thattook me north to the Nahanni River where I hadmy first kiss with my future husband in a naturalhot springs under northern lights. No canoe. No

LOVE LETTER TO MY CANOEwritten by Leanne Allison

In fact it wasn’t until that trip thatwe really started to appreciatehow incredible the canoe is.

Leanne Allison, Karsten Heuer and 2 year old son Zev on their cross Canada trip “Finding Farley”.

Spring 2014


technique to get the same output from a straightshaft paddle. So does that mean a bent shaft paddleis better? While they can feel easier to use, they dopresent some problems when using them effectively

for steering. A straight shaft provides better controlfor precise steering strokes or in changing water likeriver currents. A comparison might be between asaw and an ax, both cut wood but the tools are usedin different ways and for different jobs. Some paddlers use both types of blades, other’s prefer onetype and stick to that, it’s a matter of personal preference, but it’s worth it for a paddler to becomeproficient with both and make informed choices.

Canoes evolved into hull shapes that reflected theregional geography of the various aboriginal nativeswho created them. Ocean going canoes of the westcoast were very different than the ocean going canoes of the east coast. The sleek canoes of the Algonquin tribes were perfectly suited to the rivers

and lakes in what is now Ontario, but looked verydifferent to the “crooked” canoes used by the Creetribes in Northern Quebec that involved a lot ofwhite water travel. That said, it wasn’t until recentyears that more radical changes happened in canoedesign. Early canoe shapes were closely tied to theconstruction materials used to build them. Thecurves of the hull followed the shape wood followswhen bent over a form. With the introduction ofcomposite materials like plastic and fibreglass, itwas possible to introduce hull shapes that are morespecialized. Some canoes are designed for speed,some for white water, some for large cargo loads.Canoes made with hull shapes along traditionallines are versatile, general purpose canoes that do avariety of things well, but generally don’t stand outat specific tasks. Many modern hull shapes are capable of greater speed with less effort while others excel at handling rough white water. A paddler can think of comparing the hull shapes tocars when deciding what they need, do they want asports car, an off road truck, or a family minivan?There isn’t one canoe that will do everything well,but a canoe that will excel at one thing will havemore limited use. As well a more general purposecanoe will have some compromise when the limitsare being pushed.

I often get askedwhat’s the bestcanoe or the bestpaddle, its a toughquestion to answerbecause there reallyisn’t one right an-swer, it all dependson what the paddleor canoe will be usedfor.

Take paddles forinstance… There’s an endless debate about themerits of bent shaft vs. straight shaft paddles. Either can be just as effective, but the way they areused will be different. From a pure mechanicalperspective, if you have two paddles with an equalamount of surface area on the blade and you applythe same amount of muscle power to each, thework output will be the same. That should be obvious, but there’s a difference in the way forceneeds to be applied. A straight shaft paddle willdevelop more power in the first half of a strokewhile the bent shaft develops more power at theend of the stroke. Most people will probably find abent shaft a bit easier to use for traveling along,the power is developed where it feels most naturalalong the path of the stroke. It takes a bit more

PADDLES AND CANOESwritten by Rolf Kraiker

There isn’t one canoe that will do everything well, but a canoethat will excel at one thing will have more limited use.

Spring 2014


NEW WHITEWATER EXCITEMENT

Moisie 16’ 6”One of the most outstanding wild rivers in Canada is the namesake for

Nova Craft's new expedition canoe, the Moisie. It is an incredible trippingcanoe for modern day explorers who want to tackle whitewater with bigwaves and deep holes. The symmetrical shape, deep hull, large volume endsand 4” of rocker makes for lots of manoeuvrability and a dry ride in the bigstuff. At 34” wide the Moisie still has enough speed on the flat sections to getyou to the next set of rapids with ease. The Moisie has plenty of carrying capacity for extended river expeditions. Surfing, sideslipping and ferrying inand out of rapids are all handled with ease.

Whether you're just out to enjoy a day of play in whitewater or you'reabout to head out on a month long expedition, the Moisie is an amazingcanoe that can make even a newcomer to paddling look like an expert.

Available in Royalex and Royalex Plus.

• shallow arch• pronounced rocker• symmetrical

Ocoee 11’ 3”One of the most popular solo whitewater "playboat" canoes ever produced,

the Ocoee is an extremely flexible boat suitable for creeking and general riverrunning. It is a very predictable canoe yet is still able to accomplish dynamicand aggressive moves in the most challenging whitewater. Even though it isforgiving enough to accommodate beginners, it is an outstanding OC1 forslalom competitions. With practice the Ocoee is definitely a canoe that anyone can handle.

The hard chines and flat bottom create a "carving edge" that taps into thepower of the river making for tighter turns that let you snap it in and out ofeddies with ease. The hull has a compound tumblehome on the sides thatgives it remarkable secondary stability compared to other open playboatcanoe designs. The pronounced rocker and flat bottom means the boat holdsits momentum and angle, carves effortlessly, loves to surf and runs even bigwaves with unmatched dryness.

Available in Royalex and Royalex Plus.

• flat bottom• pronounced rocker• symmetrical

* Royalex Plus only available in Yellow

Spring 2014


PROSPECTOR SERIESProspector 15’

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical

The Prospector 15 is a scaled-down version of our larger Prospectorsthat's faithful to the original lines in every way. You get all the great handling features that make the Prospector a paddling legend in a package that's a bit smaller and more responsive.

The P15 is an ideal choice for paddlers who want a tripping boat butdon't need the extra volume. Its extra responsiveness also makes the P15a fun tandem playboat.

Prospector 17’

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

If you want a canoe that will handle a month's worth of supplies tohead out on a wilderness adventure, this is the canoe for you. In theProspector 17 you'll find all the great things that have made this canoe a paddling legend in places like the Yukon and the Canadian Arctic.

With lots of volume to keep you and your gear dry in whitewater, it still tracks well with good hull speed on flatwater. Our durable materialsand classic Prospector lines make the P17 the ultimate wilderness extended tripping canoe.

Prospector 16’

The Chestnut Prospector has probably been described more often in text than any other canoe, it's just that popular. Our version of this venerable craft is faithful to the original. Since 1984, we've gone out ofour way to continue the tradition so future generations of paddlers canenjoy this icon of Canadian history.

The Workhorse of the Canadian north, our Prospector feels most athome loaded with gear on a remote wilderness lake or river. While it isbest suited for river tripping, it remains versatile enough to be a good all round canoe. With experience, the self-righting aspects of the shallowarch hull will become apparent and confidence levels will soar. What’smore, it provides a very dry ride in big waves and whitewater. It is simplythe best all round wilderness tripping canoe available.

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

Prospector 18’


The cargo capacity of the Prospector 18 model can only be described asmassive. The Prospector lines produce a canoe that feels deceptively lightand responsive, but there's tons of space to pack in a load of supplies forany expedition with room left over to toss in the kitchen sink.

The P18 is a big boat with straighter tracking than our shorter Prospectors. It's perfect for the wilderness traveler intent on expeditionstyle adventures or a large family wanting to travel in one canoe.

Spring 2014


RECREATIONAL SERIESTeddy 12’

This original Chestnut Canoe Company design with Nova Craft innovationoffers a craft that is perfect for children. Kids will love to be able to take it outon their own and enjoy spending time on the water in a canoe that they canmanage easily. Outfitting your children with the right equipment is as essential to water safety as supervision. Ensure that the kids will be safe onthe water with this stable and easy-to-use canoe. The Teddy is all aboutcomfort with safety in mind for the kids. It will carry them and all the gearthey'll need for a small journey as it requires minimal effort to keep it glidingon the water. The featherweight of this craft also allows them to move it inand out of the water with ease.

The Teddy will allow kids to have fun in their exploration of the outdoorswithout the frustration of complicated, technical and never-ending instruction. Keep quiet and watch them learn!

• shallow arch• slight rocker with raised ends

• symmetrical

Bob Special 15’

The Chestnut Canoe Company responded to the need for a lightweightcanoe well suited to solo tripping and casual tandem paddling by introducing the versatile Bob Special. While the canoe was very stabledue to its larger than normal width, the hull shape was optimized for performance resulting in a canoe that was remarkably fast. Our version isbased on the Chestnut original with some improvements to increasespeed and sea worthiness.

It is ideally suited as a tandem day-tripper yet large enough for aweekend canoe trip. It really shines when paddled solo by a competentpaddler. The Bob has a unique blend of characteristics that produce acanoe novice paddlers can enjoy yet experts can savour.


• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

PAL 16’

During its long history of building canoes, the Chestnut Canoe Company produced a range of models they called Pleasure canoes. One model proved to have such universal appeal that it became the definition of a general-purpose craft. This model began life as the Ajax but it grew to be so popular that it was renamed PAL to reflect the affection owners felt while using it. Nova Craft has painstakingly reproduced the lines of theoriginal PAL to provide today’s paddlers with the opportunity to own one of the best general-purpose traditional canoes ever made.

The PAL is a new addition to our line up and it's a great choice for paddlers who want a canoe that does it all well. Nicely suited for flatwatertrips or short outings for sightseeing or fishing, the PAL handles rough water well and feels comfortable in windy conditions. Indeed, it’s a pleasure to paddle either tandem or solo. Once you paddle one you’ll know why owners call it “My PAL”.


• symmetrical

Muskoka 15’ 10”

The Muskoka is a traditional canoe designed to provide comfort andsafety for anyone looking for a canoe suitable for light recreational use.Easy weekend trips or poking around the lakes and rivers near a cottageare where this canoe will excell. The Muskoka has enough carrying capacity for a young family, yet it provides enough stability to make anouting with kids and dogs enjoyable. The traditional lines of this canoemake it a joy to paddle, but those same lines make the Muskoka a pleasure to contemplate resting on your dock as you sit in your chair and enjoy a favourite beverage while the sun sets.

• flat bottom• slight rocker• symmetrical • with keel

Spring 2014


RECREATIONALSupernova 14’ 10”Solo


WHITEWATER

The Supernova was designed as the ideal solution for the paddler who loves to do solo wilderness river trips. While the Supernova hullcharacteristics do what you'd expect from a white water boat – like keepyou dry and effortlessly surf a wave – where you really appreciate thecanoe is the flat water sections in between the frothy stuff.

The Supernova would be most appreciated by experienced paddlerswho enjoy messing around in rapids. Even though it comes to life in therough stuff, it retains enough of a quiet nature that it won't feel out ofplace for a casual paddle on the local pond. In the hands of a competentpaddler the Supernova is an excellent dance partner.

Trapper 12’Solo


• symmetrical

This Chestnut Canoe was originally built with the outdoorsman of the early 1900s in mind. Chestnut’s mission was to design a craft that would enable outdoorsmen to paddle small creeks as well as large lakes and besmall enough to get through the then nonexistent portage trails at the sametime. To meet these unique needs, The Chestnut Canoe Company broughtsomething efficient yet maneuverable into production.

For the modern canoeist, both the primary and secondary stability of TheTrapper are reassuring, though its stability does not sacrifice its speed. It haslots of space, for everything from a day of fishing to a week of tripping in the back country. It is a great canoe to use for improving your “J” stroke and can also be used with a double blade paddle. The Trapper combines the enjoyment of a stable fishing platform with the benefits of a small and lightcraft for portaging into small productive lakes.

OUTFITTER SERIES SP3

The Outfitter models have the same performance characteristics as our famous Prospectormodels, but are made from a tough 3 layer polyethylene plastic that withstands hard knocks and extensive use. Because the material is nearly indestructible, it makes them attractive toowners who plan to subject them to hard use with little maintenance. While the Outfitters areour heaviest boats, they are also the most affordable canoes we produce.

Outfitted with extra-durable plastic seats, these canoes are ideal for canoe liveries and rentalshops since they will give many years of faithful service at an attractive price. For a family looking for a canoe they can leave knocking around at the cottage, they'll have a canoe thatshould last a lifetime.


Prospector 16’ and 17’

Length

Beam

Center

Bow

Bow

Stern

Capacity

DEPTH

ROCKER

15’6” 17’472 cm 518 cm

40 kg 43 kg88 lb 95 lb

35” 36”90 cm 91.5 cm14.5” 14.5”36 cm 36 cm

23” 23”58.5 cm 58.5 cm

2”

2” 2”

2”5 cm

5 cm 5 cm

5 cm

900 lb 1200 lb409 kg 544 kg

Weight

Canoe

Specifications

P16 P17Shown is Prospector 16’

Spring 2014


Tripper 16’

• shallow arch• straight keel with raised ends

• asymmetrical

The classic lines of this canoe hide the modern innovations incorporated into the hull design. While it still looks like a traditionalcanoe from every angle, it has an asymmetrical hull that improves speed.There is little rocker along the keel, which makes it easy to track yet provides maneuverability when you need it.

This is a versatile family canoe that people can grow into. Beginnerswill find the stability reassuring and as paddlers become more advancedthey will appreciate the faster hull and easy glide.

Haida 17’

• flat bottom• straight keel with raised ends

• asymmetrical

The Haida is the "big brother" of our Tripper model. It's asymmetrical andshare all the same handling characteristics of the 16 foot canoe but it's a bitwider and a bit longer. That gives it extra carrying capacity without changingspeed or handling. The added roominess and stability means it is an idealcanoe for families who want to enjoy some tripping with young children,whether it is just a weekend jaunt to a favourite park or a wilderness adventure lasting a couple of weeks.

The Haida is novice friendly yet still has enough performance to appeal toexperienced paddlers. Both the beginner and the expert will enjoy the Haidaeither for relaxation, like fishing or the adventures of a wilderness trip.

Cronje (Chrone-yeh) 17’

• shallow arch• fast entry lines• symmetrical• slight rocker

CRUISER SERIES

The Chestnut Canoe Company designed the Cronje to be a fast, reliable canoe for people who have a destination in mind. The design is rich in history and is a very able performer. Our reproduction of this venerable canoe retains both the paddling characteristics and the tradition of the original.

The Cronje is ideally suited to paddlers who want to challenge big, open water by covering distance with ease. Fast lines and excellent tracking make it a joy to use. Cargo capacity isn't compromised for speedand the canoe handles well both with a load and empty. Its lower profilemeans less wind drag on the water and lower weight on the portage trail.The Cronje is most at home in landscapes with large open lakes like thefamed Boundary Waters or Algonquin Park.

Eagle 17’

The Eagle 17 is the big brother to our Falcon 16 and shares all of its redeeming qualities. It features a higher volume asymmetrical design withplumb stems, fine entry lines, minimal rocker, and a narrow beam to maximize efficiency. A shallow arch bottom gives this quick canoe a steadyfeel especially carrying a generous compliment of camping gear into the interior. If effortless tracking and beautiful glide are what you are looking forin a large tripping canoe, the Eagle is a superb choice.

Falcon 16’

The Falcon 16 was designed for paddlers who have efficient flatwater performance in mind. Its asymmetrical hull features plumb stems, sharp entrylines, minimal rocker, and a narrow beam to get the most out of each forwardstroke. Even though the Falcon is built for speed its shallow arch bottom provides a steady feel, especially when loaded for wilderness tripping. Itsshallow depth allows for great reach over the sides and helps to minimize theeffects of wind on the hull.

• shallow arch• straight keel• asymmetrical

• shallow arch• straight keel• asymmetrical

Lighter, stronger with higher enduranceFrom short local trips on easy winding rivers to extreme expedition on raging torrents, Twaron supplies the power of aramid. “Nova Craft Canoe has been using aramid fabrics to build safer, stronger, lightweight canoes for more than three decades. We’ve found Twaron to be an excellent partner in helping us bring that power of aramid to our customers,” states Tim Miller, President of Nova Craft. Twaron is engineered with speed, strength and endurance in mind. Canoes and kayaks reinforced with Twaron are extremely rugged, and a� ord a built-in comfort zone for safe, reliable paddle sports performance. Navigate the waterways with the proven power of aramid… Twaron.

TEIJIN ARAMID USA, INC.801-F Blacklawn Road

Conyers, GA 30012800-451-6586

[email protected]

Spring 2014

Fiberglass is a very affordable composite materialwith a proven track record of durability. Our fiber-glass hulls are among the lightest and most ruggedon the market today. We use woven fiberglass cloth, instead of chopped strand mat, to make a truly superior hull. Most of our fiberglass models come with a shoe keel.

Aramid These hulls are infused with high impact vinylester resin, sandwiched with fiberglass cloth between an outer layer of Cap(Chemically Activated Polyester) cloth and an inner layer of Aramid.

Aramid Lite The Aramid Lite is proven tohave considerable longevity, increased structuralstrength and is lighter than our traditional Aramidmaterial. The hull components are 100% Aramidcloth and a premium vinylester resin that is engineered for maximum elongation. The AramidLite remains unmatched in its weight class in termsof durability and will outlast the competition at areasonable price.

Aramid/Spectra We combine Aramid and Spectrawith a high impact-resistant vinylester resin in theseinfused hulls for expedition quality, lightweight canoes that resist tearing and punctures far betterthan an all Aramid canoe.

Blue Steel Nova Craft’s exclusiveBLUE STEEL is an advanced Aramid Carbon material combined with Spectra and applied

through a unique infusion process. The result is a tough, rigid canoe that’s surprisingly light and easy to handle. The ideal lightweight option for expedition adventure.

ABS Royalex Plus (expedition grade) and Royalex (Royalex industry standards), are ABS plastic laminates with a core of expanded closed cell foam.We custom order our Royalex sheets for each modelfor extra hull strength and stiffness while keepingthe weight down. These canoes are great for shallow rivers and whitewater and stand up underthe most rugged conditions. The major advantage to ABS canoes is their survivability in situationswhere an accident might leave a less robust canoeunusable. When you’re on a remote wilderness tripand you need to rely on your boat to bring you back,ABS is still the most popular choice.

Unique Infusion System Our unique, high-tech Infusion System, adapted from the aerospace industry, offers distinct advantages over traditionalboat building systems:

• Eliminates human error

• Drastically reduces the number ofblemishes and imperfections

• Dramatically improves production efficiency

• Produces stronger, higher quality laminates

• Reduces excess resin in the laminate

• Has far less gas emissions (a plus for the environment)

• Produces better, more consistent boats.

Today, Nova Craft Canoe uses this unique processon every hi-tech laminate canoe we make. It costs us more to produce canoes this way but the quality speaks for itself. The bottom line: You get a superior, stronger lightweight canoe, made toexacting standards while we protect the environment.

Laminates are a great choice for river, lake or pond. In addition to their strength and light weight, they glide smoother and faster on the water.

We could use less expensive materials, but whywould we? Our philosophy has always been togive our customers the best materials available at the best possible price, and then guarantee the canoe for life, period. After all, quality endures much longer than the lure of a low price.

Seats: Because you’re going to be sitting onthem for the better part of 15 years, you might as well be comfortable. Our exclusive nylon lacedseats are beautiful to look at, tough as nails andbest of all, they cradle you like your favorite chair.In fact, in almost every review written about our canoes, our seats are noted for their superb comfort and support.

Yokes: Portaging your canoe shouldn’t be a pain in the neck. Our deluxe sculpted ash yokes fitcomfortably on your shoulders and distributes weight evenly. We’ve even notched out a section for that little bone in the back of your neck. You’ll appreciate it whether your portage is 5 minutes or 5 miles.

GLOSSARY OF TERMSABS: Family of thermoplastics or terpolymers basedon Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene (ABS),combined by a variety of methods. Possesses goodimpact strength, heat resistance, low temperature.

ARAMID: (Kevlar®/Twaron®) Aramid fibres that havetwice the stiffness of fibreglass, 25% higher tensile strength and 1/3 less weight.

CAP: Chemically Activated Polyester woven clothoften used in combination with Aramid andwoven fibreglass.

CLOTH: Conventionally woven fibre material.

GELCOAT: Colour pigmented polyester resin. Firstresin applied to mold.

MATERIALS

SEATS & YOKES

GUNWALE: Component that finishes the edge of canoe, Vinyl, Anodized Aluminum or Ash.

INFUSION: Process where materials are laid into mold and placed under pressure using vacuum. Next resin is introduced to flow through the laminate. This produces a product with a very highmaterial-to-resin ratio.

LAY UP: Process of placing layers of cloth in the mold.

MAT: Fibrous material consisting of chopped orswirled filaments with a binder. Usually heavier and more brittle than cloth.

RESIN: Any polymer used to bond layers of cloth together.

ROYALEX PLUS, ROYALEX: A vulcanized plastic sheet combining layers of vinyl, ABS, and a foam core.Makes stiff, durable canoes which have very highimpact resistance. Unsurpassed for expedition andwhitewater use.

R-84: Is a thinner and lighter alloy used on ABSsubstrate. Not used on any Nova Craft Canoe models.

SHOE KEEL: A wide, flat keel used on river canoes.

SPECTRA: Polyethylene that has been drawn into afilament as fine as a spider web and then wovento make cloth. A little lighter than Aramid but it’sgreatest attribute is it’s incredible impact resist-ance. Best laminated under high vacuum toachieve a void free laminate.

TRIM: Gunwales, seats, end decks, yoke, thwartand hardware.

VINYLESTERS: Developed to provide the ease ofhandling of polyester resin combined with theimpact resistance and toughness of epoxy.


TRIM SYSTEMSStandard Trim: Low maintenance trim featuresaircraft-grade black anodized aluminum gunwaleswith aluminum reinforced ABS end decks, standard on laminate & Royalex hulls. Reinforced PVC vinyl gunwales with oversized rotomolded decks are standard with our RoyalexPlus models. Nylon laced ash seats, ash thwart,carrying handles and a balanced carrying yokecomplete the package.

Wood Trim: We use only straight grained whiteash gunwales fastened with stainless steelscrews. Ash grained seats, ash thwarts, customcut decks, contoured carrying handles and a handrubbed oil finish complete the look.

Whether you want a canoe for extreme sports,long trips or just paddling around the lake, selecting the best one for your lifestyle is an important decision. After all, we build them to lasta lifetime. That’s why we’ve made it easy for youto choose by following these three easy steps:

1 Read the ACTIVITY CHART on page 15

2 Match your selected activities with our models throughout the catalogue (what should you know before you buy a canoe, see page 2)

3 Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS chart on page 15 to choose your construction materials. Options and trims can be found below.

Options: White Ash Gunwales, Oil Finish

Ash Web Seat

Kneeling Thwart

Aramid Skid Plates Installed

Additional Centre Seat

Knee Pads

Custom Colour

Expedition Spray Deck

Spray Deck Installation

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CANOEFOR YOU

Royalex & Royalex Plus:

Red Green Burgundy

Fibreglass, Aramid, Aramid Lite, Spectra, BlueSteel:

Red Green Sand

Sunray Blue SteelBlue Steel

Natural

DesertWhite Ox Blood Olive Green

CANOE COLOURS*

*Colours may not be exactly asshown.

Standard Trim

Wood TrimN O V A C R A F T . C O M 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

Photo by Kevin Callan

Spring 2014

ACTIVITY CHART

RecreationSport

Quiet Water TouringRiver Tripping ExpeditionWhitewater

Activity Tripper Haida Cronje Trapper Teddy BobSpecial PAL Muskoka Prospector 15’ Prospector 16’ Prospector 17’ Prospector 18’ Moisie Ocoee Supernova

WHITEWATER: Highly maneuverable, fast and robustly constructed. Morerocker in keel and high volume ends to shed waves and keep you dry.

RECREATION: Good all-round canoe for entry level or family paddlers. Safe, stable, comfortable.

SPORT: Good for hunters, anglers and dog owners. Stable platform in an easy-to-paddle canoe.

QUIET WATER TOURING: Fast hull that paddles efficiently, turnseasily and tracks well. Better suited to lakes and deep rivers.

RIVER TRIPPING: High-volume, rugged hauler able to carry large loads inflatwater and whitewater.

EXPEDITION: Serious boats for long trips. High volume ends mean increasedseaworthiness. Optional spray skirts keep you dry and warm.

*Actual weights are based on year-long production averages and may vary. tShoe keel only composite. ttSpecify with or without a shoe keel (no keel +2-3lbs) only composite.

Prices and specifications subject to change without notice.


CATEGORIES OF CANOES:

SPECS

Activity

Length

Aramid

Aramid Lite

Spectra

Blue Steel

Royalex

SP3

Beam

Center

Bow

Stern

Bow

Capacity

CRUISER

Tripper t

Haida t

Cronje

Falcon

Eagle

RECREATIONAL

Trapper Solo

Teddy Kids

Bob Special tt

PAL

Muskoka t

PROSPECTOR

Prospector 15’

Prospector 16’tt

Prospector 17’tt

Prospector 18’

WHITEWATER

New Moisie

New Ocoee Solo

Supernova Solo

16’ 64 lb 54 lb 46 lb 50 lb 46 lb 60 lb ~ ~ 35” 14” 22” ~ ~ 1000 lb488 cm 29.1 kg 24.5 kg 20.9 kg 22.7 kg 20.9 kg 27.3 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm ~ ~ 455 kg17’ 68 lb 60 lb 49 lb 56 lb 50 lb 64 lb ~ ~ 36” 14” 22” ~ ~ 1200 lb

518 cm 30.9 kg 27.3 kg 22.3 kg 25.5 kg 22.7 kg 29.1 kg ~ ~ 91.5 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm ~ ~ 545 kg17’ ~ 54 lb 47 lb 50 lb 47 lb 59 lb ~ ~ 35” 13” 21” ~ ~ 1000 lb

518 cm ~ 24.5 kg 21.4 kg 22.7 kg 21.4 kg 26.8 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 33 cm 53.5 cm ~ ~ 455 kg16’ ~ ~ 46 lb ~ 47 lb ~ ~ ~ 34” 14” 20.5” ~ ~ 800 lb

488 cm ~ ~ 20.5 kg ~ 21.4 kg ~ ~ ~ 86.4 cm 35.5 cm 52 cm ~ ~ 364 kg17’ ~ ~ 48 lb ~ 48 lb ~ ~ ~ 34” 14” 20” ~ ~ 1000 lb

518 cm ~ ~ 21.8 kg ~ 21.8 kg ~ ~ ~ 86.4 cm 35.5 cm 50 cm ~ ~ 455 kg

12’ 47 lb 38 lb 29 lb 34 lb 30 lb 39 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 18” ~ ~ 490 lb366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 45.7 cm ~ ~ 223 kg12’ 47 lb 38 lb 29 lb 34 lb 30 lb 39 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 18” ~ ~ 490 lb

366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 45.7 cm ~ ~ 223 kg15’ 60 lb 50 lb 40 lb 45 lb 42 lb 58 lb ~ ~ 35” 14” 21” ~ ~ 800 lb

457 cm 27.3 kg 22.7 kg 18.2 kg 20.5 kg 19.1 kg 26.4 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 53.4 cm ~ ~ 364 kg16’ ~ 54 lb 44 lb 49 lb 46 lb 58 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 20” ~ ~ 800 lb

488 cm ~ 24.5 kg 20 kg 22.3 kg 20.9 kg 26.4 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 50.8 cm ~ ~ 364 kg16’ 68 lb 56 lb 46 lb 50 lb 46 lb ~ ~ ~ 35” 14” 21” ~ ~ 900 lb

488 cm 30.9 kg 25.5 kg 20.9 kg 22.7 kg 20.9 kg ~ ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 53.5 cm ~ ~ 409 kg

15’ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 60lb 70lb ~ 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 850 lb457 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 27.3 kg 31.8 kg ~ 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 386 kg16’ 72 lb 54 lb 45 lb 52 lb 48 lb 64 lb 74 lb 88 lb 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 1000 lb

488 cm 32.7 kg 24.5 kg 20.5 kg 23.6 kg 21.8 kg 29.1 kg 33.6 kg 40 kg 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 455 kg17’ 73 lb 62 lb 48 lb 58 lb 52 lb 68 lb 80 lb 95 lb 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 1200 lb

518 cm 33.2 kg 28.2 kg 21.8 kg 26.4 kg 23.6 kg 30.9 kg 36.4 kg 43 kg 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 545 kg18’ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 70 lb 84 lb ~ 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 1400 lb

548 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 31.8 kg 38.2 kg ~ 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 636 kg

16’ 6” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 67 lb 77 lb ~ 34” 15” 26” 4” 4” 1100 lb506 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 30.5 kg 35 kg ~ 86.4 cm 38 cm 66 cm 10 cm 10 cm 500 kg11’ 3” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 38 lb 44 lb ~ 25” 15.5” 21.5” 5.5” 5.5” 500 lb344 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 17.3 kg 20 kg ~ 63.5 cm 39.4 cm 54.6 cm 14 cm 14 cm 227 kg14’ 10” ~ ~ 34 lb 48 lb 44 lb 52 lb 58 lb ~ 32” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 850 lb452 cm ~ ~ 15.5 kg 21.8 kg 20 kg 23.6 kg 26.4 kg ~ 81.2 cm 38 cm 54.4 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 386 kg

R Q

R Q

R Q

R Q

R WT

R WT

WT

W

WT

E

WT E

WT E

R QS

R QS

R Q E

R Q E

R Q

Q E

WEIGHT & MATERIALS * DEPTH ROCKER

Royalex Plus

Fibreglass t

Spring 2014

Spring 2014

Nova Sports Equipment Ltd.471 Nightingale Avenue, London, Ontario, N5W 4C4

(519) 455-6252 • Fax: (519) 455-8162Email: [email protected] • www.novacraft.com

1-866-88 CANOE

L I F E T I M E WA R R A N T YWe endeavor to produce high quality products that give years of dependable service. For the original owner, if any defects in material or work manship are found we will repair them or

replace the canoe at our discretion. We will also provide ongoing repair

services to our customers at a reasonable rate. In all cases, the owner

is responsible for trans porting the canoe to and from our factory.

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