Best Coleman Canoes For 2024

A 1982 article in the Washington Post describes Coleman canoes as “good starter boats.” Thanks to their durability, it’s a description that still rings true today, even if the company has stopped stamping its name on new canoes.

Coleman canoes were some of the first polyethylene canoes to reach the masses. Sold through department stores and outfitters, these canoes were more affordable than the aluminum and wood-canvas canoes that were popular at the time.

At a low cost, these maintenance-free boats provided the opportunity for many families to get outdoors. They were available in different lengths ranging from 13 to 17 feet. With wide, flat hulls, these canoes didn’t win many races. Instead, they were loved by beginner canoeists, families with children and anglers who wanted a stable, reliable canoe.

Coleman no longer makes canoes under their name, but you may still be able to find used ones for a great deal. These canoes are ideal for anyone looking to start canoeing or who may want a cheap one for paddling around the cottage or local pond. Although the brand has been discontinued, their models live on in Pelican canoes, which acquired the line at the start of the century.

Other companies also continue making canoes that are reminiscent of Coleman’s designs. You’ve come to the right place if you are looking to buy a Coleman canoe or a similar polyethylene starter boat. We’ve outlined the models that were made, touching on the Coleman canoe’s history while providing links to reviews and tips for finding used canoes.

Top picks: Best Coleman canoes

The following Coleman canoes have received the highest star ratings by reviewers in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide. See and review all Coleman canoes here.

Shop Coleman canoes

Below are links to view the specifications and reviews of Coleman canoe models. They are filtered by type, size and material in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide. You can also compare Coleman canoes to other brands’ models in this comprehensive guide. Click the links below to begin exploring.

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Shopping for a used Coleman canoe?

Coleman canoes frequently turn up on classified pages and are often sold for fairly cheap. As they are nearly indestructible, a 25-year-old canoe in decent condition is still an excellent option for going out fishing or poking around calm waters. Canoes hold their value well, but you will likely be paying less than $500 for these boats.

Coleman made different styles of canoes through the years that they were in production. The Coleman 13, 15 and 17 models were most popular, with the model number indicating each canoe’s length in feet. They built all of these canoes to be durable and inexpensive.

In the early 2000s, Pelican Sport, the Quebec-based recreational kayak manufacturer, began producing Coleman canoes. They started using their own proprietary RAM-X high-density polyethylene, selling the canoes as the Coleman Ram-X series in 13, 15 and 17 feet. These are probably the used Coleman canoes you’ll find today.

Eventually, Pelican swapped out the Coleman branding for their own, and they made minor changes, like adding cup holders and a third bench seat in the middle of some models. If you’re looking for new canoes similar to the old Coleman models, look at Pelican. They only build two models, but the Pelican 15.5 is a direct descendant of the Coleman 15 canoe.

One of Coleman’s innovative and beloved models was the “Scanoe.” This wide, square-sterned boat was designed as a cross between a skiff and a canoe. It was wider than other square-stern canoes at the time and could be paddled or else mounted with a small motor. It’s sometimes called a “Scout Canoe,” and you can find similar new models made by Old Town.

In addition to finding them online, you might find old Coleman canoes that have been sitting under cottages or in backyards. Try posting a “wanted” ad on a community board. Some people may have one sitting around that they are happy to clear out.

Although we’ve touted the durability and toughness of these canoes, you still should thoroughly check the boat for any damage. If you’re planning on mounting a motor on the square-stern Scanoe models, make sure that the transom board on the back is solid enough to support the mount. If not, you may need to reinforce it with ½-inch plywood.

Coleman canoes are made of polyethylene plastic on an aluminum frame. Major damage worth worrying about would be cracked gunwales or hull damage. At a glance, any damage to the gunwales is easily noticeable. Pay special attention to the thwarts running across the canoe. These pieces are essential for maintaining the canoe’s structural integrity and overall shape. They are pretty easy to replace with another aluminum or wooden bar if they are broken.

Polyethylene is a solid material and resistant to abrasions and collisions with unexpected rocks. Dents and dings will appear along the hull, but these are superficial and not cause for concern. If you are worried, you can retroactively add keel strips to the bow and stern for an extra layer of protection. This is an easy, fun project that anyone can do in a day.

For more tips on what to look for when selecting any used canoe, read our article How To Buy A Used Canoe.

Want to know more about Coleman canoes? Read on to get answers to common questions.

• Does Coleman make good canoes?

  When they were being produced, Coleman canoes had a reputation for being durable and inexpensive. Better options exist if you are looking for a lightweight canoe to carry and portage, but as a “beater” boat that requires no maintenance, Colemans are great.

• Do they still make Coleman canoes?

  The Coleman brand was discontinued, but the spirit of inexpensive polyethylene canoes lives on with their successor, Pelican. Pelican still makes select models, and other canoe builders like Nova Craft and Old Town also make inexpensive polyethylene canoes.

• Who makes Coleman canoes?

  For a while, Pelican Sport was making Coleman-branded canoes. Later, they assumed the Coleman designs under the Pelican brand.

• Coleman canoe models

  Beginning in the 1980s, Coleman made recreational canoes in lengths of 13, 15 and 17 feet. In the mid-80s, they introduced the “Scanoe” which was designed as a canoe/skiff hybrid. In the late 1990s, Coleman rebranded their canoe models, with Coleman 13 becoming the Vantage, Coleman 15 becoming the Journey, and Coleman 17 renamed the Odyssey.

  When Pelican took over production, these canoes were renamed RAM-X 13, 15 and 17, since they used the new material.

• Coleman canoe specs

  Coleman canoe specs can be found in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide. These canoes were known for being wide and stable in calm waters.

• Coleman canoe weight

  When Coleman canoes were first introduced to the market, their main competitors were aluminum and wood-canvas canoes. Plastic canoes are lighter than wood-canvas canoes and don’t require nearly as much care on or off the water. The main selling point of polyethylene was the cost and durability.

  Aluminum is similarly indestructible but often lighter than plastic. Both materials are heavy compared to modern composite boats that come in at a fraction of the weight. Colemans are therefore heavier than most other canoes of similar lengths, with 15-foot canoes weighing more than 80 pounds.

• Coleman canoe weight capacity

  The weight capacity of a Coleman canoe depends on the canoe’s dimensions, and some canoe manufacturers caution against strictly looking at the capacity numbers. Instead, consider the water conditions, weight distribution and overall feeling of the canoe when determining if it is overloaded or not.

  You want to pack the canoe in a manner that keeps the weight as low as possible, rather than stacking gear high in the center.

• Coleman canoe dealers

  As Coleman no longer builds boats, you’ll want to find a Pelican dealer for the modern-day version of Coleman models. Many outfitters stock polyethylene options if you’re looking for a reliable, low-cost starter canoe.

• Coleman canoe material

  Coleman canoes were made with polyethylene sheets bent around aluminum frames.

• What type of plastic is a Coleman canoe?

  Coleman canoes were originally made with polyethylene plastic. When Pelican took over the canoe production, they introduced the Coleman RAM-X, which uses their proprietary polyethylene. RAM-X is lighter than traditional polyethylene and equally as strong.

• Are Coleman canoes made of fiberglass?

  Coleman canoes are made of polyethylene plastic. Models made by Pelican, the “RAM-X” models, use Pelican’s RAM-X polyethylene material.

• Coleman canoe price

  Even when they were new, Coleman canoes were marketed as inexpensive, entry-level canoes. A fair price for a used one in perfect condition is still less than $500.

Compare Coleman canoes

• Coleman canoe vs Pelican

  If you can’t find a Coleman canoe, look to the popular big-box brand Pelican Sport. Pelican Sport took over Coleman’s canoe designs, although some have been phased out in recent years. They still build three models of heavy-duty plastic canoes at reasonable prices. Pelican now uses RAM-X material for their canoes, which is slightly lighter than polyethylene.

  They make two models currently, a 14’9’’ two-seater and 15’6’’ three-seat canoe. If you come across older Pelican canoes, they will be the same polyethylene construction as Colemans used to be. The square-sterned Pelican Bayou 160 is their take on the original Scanoe.

• Old Town vs Coleman canoe

  One of the oldest canoe builders in America, Maine-based Old Town still makes some polyethylene canoes that are very similar to Coleman models. There are options of single-layer polyethylene on the Saranac models, or the heavier, more durable three-layer on the Discovery Series.

  Select Old Town canoes also have yokes for easier portaging. Check out the Old Town Discovery Sport for a square-stern model from Old Town.

Coleman canoe reviews

Read reviews of Coleman canoes to get a better idea of who uses these canoes and the type of canoeing they are best suited for. It’s also important to read the shortcomings of these canoes. See if the canoeing aligns with how you intend to use the canoe, to help you decide if a Coleman is a good fit.

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