The canoe has been identified as the most popular Canadian symbol. It allows you to leave the modern world and enter the natural world, one characterized by beauty, simplicity, wonder and less stress. Buying a canoe is your ticket to freedom and adventure. The first thing to do is identify what you want a canoe for- day paddling, canoe tripping, cottage fun, white water river paddling, fishing etc. That’s the function. Now let’s discuss the other component which is the technical details.
Where to Buy? Now that you’ve identified function let’s consider where to buy? For private sales check on Kijiji, Facebook and other buy-sell platforms. If you want to purchase through a store which is a good idea too, you can again do a google search. (Refer to the next section on Manufacturers). I can also suggest connecting with The Paddle Shack and Swift Canoes (both on Hwy 11 near Bracebridge) and Algonquin Outfitters (AO) at Oxtongue Lake on Hwy 69 and they’re located in a number of other towns in Ontario. AO sells Swift canoes. The Algonquin Outfitters at Oxtongue Lake allows interested customers to take a boat out for a test paddle.
Canoe Manufacturers? they are several reputable canoe makers. I have only mentioned one company, Swift. Other Ontario canoe manufacturers are Nova Craft, Holy Cow and Langford.
Cost? How much you want to spend is important because it drives a number of design decisions. The cost of new canoes can be best determined by a google search. Let’s focus on used canoes. Cost of used canoes from a store? Used Kevlar canoes from a rental store could be about $2500 or less. Stores might sell some stock in August- Sept. My daughter bought one from a rental store for about $2000 in 2018. Please note- a caution about buying used canoes- sometimes people don’t treat canoes with the care they need. Used fibreglass could be around $1000 but again, it depends.
Cost privately? Depends on several factors. Best to compare.
Length? You’ll probably want about 16 1/2’ which is versatile for families and day paddling and also overnight canoe tripping. Shorter is fine for day solo paddling.
Material? Kevlar is light and reasonably durable but more expensive than fiberglass. Consider Kevlar because it opens the door to future canoe trips. Polyethylene is sturdy, very heavy and sluggish in the water. Wooden, cedar canoes are a Canadian classic. They are beautiful but are expensive.
Weight? The weight of Kevlar might be around 50lbs. Fibreglass canoes weigh about 65lbs and is a good “cottage” canoe. I vote for lighter so that you can load it on your vehicle yourself and portage it solo . Polyethylene could weigh about 80lbs. Wooden canoes vary in weight but can be heavy as the wood can absorb water.
Seats? The most comfortable seats are made of nylon or cane webbing.
Design? For day paddling or canoe tripping the most versatile design is “prospector” style with some rocker in the bow and stern.
Rocker? “Rocker” is the name given to how much upsweep the hull has at the bow and stern. The rocker on a prospector style allows better manoeuvrability around obstacles.
Hull Integrity? Check for line cracks in the hull. They come with use and from forcefully coming into contact with rocks, docks etc. When patched you’ll see the darker colour patch on the inside. Cracks are inevitable but should be repaired.
Skid plates? Skid plates are located on the bottom of the hull at the bow and stern and are designed to protect the pointed part of the canoe that touches the shore and rocks first. Skid plates are for protection and reduce wear on your hull and so are a good idea. They will add weight.
Age? Age isn’t a factor in canoes. It’s use/ abuse. Older canvas-wooden canoes can require repairs.
Yoke? Is there a “yoke” thwart in the middle for solo portaging? It should be a “deep dish” style which fits around your shoulders with a cut out for your neck.
Keel? Please note properly constructed canoes don’t need a keel. People think a keel is necessary to go straight. Actually that’s the job of the stern person.
Gunwale material? What material should the gunwales be? “Gunwales” are the top edging that give the hull its shape. Personally I prefer ash wood but other materials requiring less maintenance are aluminum or vinyl. I like the quiet feel of my wood paddle against the wooden gunwales.
To conclude, ultimately the most accurate test of a canoe is how it handles in the water. That means you’ll want to paddle it.
So, research, money and time for driving and water testing are all involved in the purchase of a canoe. As a final note- there often aren’t lots of used canoes for sale, and less during paddling season. People tend to hang on to them as their ticket to freedom.
Good luck on your search.
Lewis Williams 2020