Master The Secrets Of The Seal Launch

By

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December 13, 2021

man in a kayak demonstrates the seal launch — Most of the time a seal launch isn’t necessary, but it is always fun. | Feature photo: Josh McCulloch

Not all launch sites are gentle, sandy beaches. Sometimes, launching from a rock, a ledge or pier offers the best access to the water. That’s when a seal launch comes in handy. For a successful seal launch, commitment is key. Just be sure to check the landing spot for hazards and ensure the water is deep enough for this maneuver. Most of the time a seal launch isn’t necessary, but it is always fun.

[ Watch: 8 Best (And Worst) Seal Launch Videos ]

5 Steps to Land the Seal Launch

1 Set yourself up

Set up with your boat at the edge of the drop with the bow hanging out over space. Be sure to get in with the center of gravity of the boat well back so that you don’t risk pitching forward unexpectedly into the water.

man in a sea kayak demonstrates the seal launch — Set up with your boat at the edge of the drop with the bow hanging out over space. | Photo: Josh McCulloch

Once in the kayak, carefully move your boat forward close to its balance point on the brink.

2 Ask for a helping hand

The easiest way to ensure a good launch is to enlist the aid of a partner who can give you a strong shove off, thus guaranteeing some speed on the launch. Have your partner pick up the stern of your boat and shove you into space.

Go for speed and commitment off the launch pad. Just shuffling forward to the balance point will cause the kayak to pivot on the brink until it reaches vertical and slips off the edge, potentially depositing you on your head. Aim for a 45- to 60-degree angle off of the launch.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all sea kayaking & touring kayaks ]

3 Lean a little forward

Most paddlers naturally seem to want to lie on the back deck, which is a bad idea because it weights the stern and promotes a flatter, more painful landing.

Instead of lying on the stern deck, you should be in a slightly forward or neutral position that will encourage your kayak to enter the water nose first. In the air, watch the spot where you’ll land—this also helps to keep you slightly forward.

4 Don’t eat the paddle

The most dangerous aspect of a seal launch is caused by the dilemma of what to do with the paddle. The main danger is “eating” the paddle shaft. The two best positions for the paddle are either at the waist in a low-brace position, or held overhead.

Overhead puts you in a good high-brace position after landing. The key is to have the paddle shaft well away from your face. If holding the paddle overhead, be sure to keep the arms bent and fists well forward of the shoulders, allowing plenty of shock absorption through the arms to protect the shoulder joints.

Just before impact, leaning slightly back will help to lift the bow and promote a nice controlled resurfacing.

5 Buoyancy does the rest

If everything goes to plan, you will land at an angle between 45 and 65 degrees. The bow will pierce the water and then the buoyancy in the kayak will quickly drive the bow back to the surface. This swoop beneath the surface in a 17-foot touring kayak creates a beautifully cushy landing compared to that of a flat-bottomed whitewater boat.

Note: If your whole group is entering the water this way, it means that the last paddler will have to launch alone, without someone else’s help. This is much more difficult than an assisted launch as it is very hard to get a really good push-off and the speed needed to clear the stern of a long boat.

A self-guided seal launch can certainly work, but sometimes it’s easier to simply throw your kayak over the edge and jump in after it. A quick reenter and roll or bow tip-out rescue at the bottom and you’ll be ready to go.

Learn valuable paddling lessons from the seal launch

Most of the time a seal launch isn’t necessary, but it is always fun! It also promotes the valuable lesson of committing to a stroke or maneuver. For instance, an aggressive launching philosophy serves one very well when leaving shore in surf. An active and committed paddler is always better off, especially in a tough spot, than a passive, undecided one.

Paddling Magazine Issue 65 | Fall 2021

This article originally appeared in Adventure Kayak, Summer 2004 and in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.

Most of the time a seal launch isn’t necessary, but it is always fun. | Feature photo: Josh McCulloch

Best Canoe Brands For Tripping, Whitewater, Fishing & More

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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December 12, 2021

people paddle and fish from various Old Town canoes — Feature photo: Courtesy Old Town Canoes and Kayaks

Choosing your next canoe can begin with deciding on a brand. Whether this is your first canoe or you’re looking to add another one to a growing collection, picking a brand can help guide your purchase. The choices are varied. Excellent canoes can come from brands with storied reputations for building reliable canoes over decades, or else be from newer start-ups that have breathed fresh life into the industry with innovative materials.

With so many brand options, you’re likely to find one that aligns with your paddling style and aesthetic or practical preferences. For some folks, a company’s location, environmental practices or community track record will determine whether they choose to support the brand.

On this page, you’ll find information about choosing a canoe brand, along with links to learn more about some of the most popular canoe brands.

Explore canoe brands

Different brands create canoes for various activities or use specific materials. Some brands like Esquif exclusively make plastic canoes, which are rugged and durable for whitewater paddling. Others like Wenonah choose to focus on building lightweight composite canoes.

Further, some canoe brands like Old Town feature a comprehensive range of recreational canoes for solo or tandem paddlers. Start exploring under the headers below.

Whitewater canoe brands

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Pakboats

Canoe brands Canada

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Langford Canoe
Nova Craft Canoe
Pelican
Sanborn Canoe Co.

Aluminum canoe brands

Grumman
Waterstream

Fiberglass canoe brands

Clipper
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe

Kevlar canoe brands

Clipper
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Stellar Kayaks

Recreational canoe brands

Clipper
Esquif
H2O Canoe Company
Nova Craft Canoe
Pakboats
Pelican
Venture

Best canoe brands

Here you’ll find our in-depth articles about some popular canoe brands and the best canoes they make. Each of these brands makes canoes for different paddlers within different price ranges.

Follow the links below to find information about each of these brands, including the types of canoes they build, buying advice for new and used canoes, as well as links to find them and more.

How to choose a canoe brand

When should you buy by the brand?

If you’ve seen a canoe that you love but it doesn’t quite match your needs, it’s helpful to check if that company makes boats that do. For example, you may have rented a 16-foot Kevlar canoe that’s just about perfect, but you’d like to have more storage capacity. There’s a good chance you can find that same model in a slightly longer 17-foot version.

Paddlers ready to jump from a recreational canoe to something a bit more efficient may discover that they can look to the same company for a more seaworthy touring model. Some of the best canoe brands have a range of canoes to offer, but they all share familiar aesthetics and outfitting features. If you find the seats of one canoe to be comfortable, the seats are likely similar across all models of that brand.

Buying a canoe begins with having a solid understanding of how you intend to paddle. Once you know what sort of paddling you want to do, you can start to look at canoes that match your style. All canoes are not created equal, and the price is not always an indicator of quality.

That is to say, paying more will not always give you a better canoe. It depends on how you want to use it.

At what stage do you choose the brand?

If you’re a new canoe buyer, you should start checking out canoe brands once you have a specific type of canoe in mind. Consider the type of paddling you want to do. Our Paddling Buyer’s Guide divides canoes into six primary categories: lakewater & touring, recreational, river tripping, expedition, fishing & sportsman, and whitewater. Most canoes will fall into one of these categories. There are also niche categories like folding canoes, racing canoes or pack boats. Let’s quickly review the different canoe categories.

Lakewater & touring

Lakewater & touring canoes are a broad category encompassing any canoes used for general touring. They balance tracking and maneuverability and have shallow-arch hulls that provide secondary stability. Secondary stability refers to a canoe’s ability to right itself when it’s on edge, and this is an essential feature for paddling in chop and current. Most tandem lakewater & touring canoes are 15–18 feet.

Recreational

Recreational canoes are ideal for beginners or casual paddlers. They have broad, flat hulls, making them highly stable on calm waters. Generally, they are shorter than 16 feet and intended for day-tripping in sheltered lakes and slow-moving rivers.

River tripping

River tripping canoes have more rocker than their lakewater & touring counterparts. Rocker is the bow-to-stern curve of a hull. A canoe with little rocker would have a nearly flat hull for traveling in straight lines. A canoe with plenty of rocker, like a river tripper, has upturned ends. This makes the canoe turn and maneuver easily, a benefit when navigating obstacles in moving water.

Expedition

Expedition canoes take aspects of lakewater & touring and river tripping canoes and crank up the capacity and durability. These canoes are designed for extended wilderness trips, where you’ll be hauling lots of gear through rugged terrain. The classic Prospector design falls within this category.

Fishing & sportsman

Fishing & sportsman canoes may resemble recreational canoes. They are also geared toward stability but may have higher cargo capacities for hauling gear and game. Square-stern canoes are ideal for those planning on mounting small outboard motors. Some may have fishing-specific features like rod holders or accessory mounts.

Whitewater

Whitewater canoes may have some overlap with river tripping canoes. They will also have lots of rocker. Nearly all whitewater canoes use durable, impact-resistant materials like T-Formex or polyethylene. Whitewater canoes designed for playboating or creeking, like Esquif’s Zephyr, don’t have the same storage capacity as tripping canoes and are less than 12-feet long. These canoes are for running more technical rapids rather than taking extended trips.

Most canoe brands make various canoe types, with different models falling into each of the above categories. If you already own a canoe that you love but are looking for a new kind of canoe, then check out the brand in our Paddling Buyer’s Guide to see if they have one that matches your new style. It’s pretty cool to have a matching fleet of canoes, one for any purpose.

What materials do they use?

Once you’ve decided what type of canoe you need, you can start shopping for brands. Some brands focus exclusively on specific building methods, while others dabble in a bit of everything. The material you choose will correspond with your budget and the type of paddling you’ll do.

Most modern canoes are made of plastic or composite materials. Composites are lighter, while plastic is nearly indestructible.

Some brands like Old Town make their canoes exclusively out of polyethylene, which produces durable canoes and keeps the price low. Esquif’s T-Formex material is one step above polyethylene in price and performance. You can find other brands such as Mad River making their models in Esquif’s T-Formex material.

Higher-end brands like Wenonah use composite materials, which are more expensive but significantly lighter and stiffer, providing better performance. These materials aren’t as fragile as you may think and can still withstand rigorous use.

Other companies, like Nova Craft, offer their models in various materials. It’s possible to get the same design in polyethylene, fiberglass or their proprietary TuffStuff Innegra-blend.

Where are they from?

In addition to the type of canoeing you’ll do, think about where you plan to take your canoe. Canoe makers often tailor their craft to their local waters. For example, Swift tests their design prototypes in Algonquin Provincial Park, adjacent to their factory in South River, Ontario. It makes sense that the boats they build will thrive in lake-filled environments resembling the Canadian Shield country.

There’s merit in supporting brands that build their canoes locally. If companies make their boats in the U.S. or Canada, they’ll state it on their site. A company that’s been around for a long time will have established quality control measures and standards to ensure consistency across its production lines.

What are their values?

Purchasing a new canoe supports a company, so you may want to look beyond the boat itself and research what the company stands for. You can find information on many brands’ websites that indicates their philosophy and values, including environmental initiatives or any community activities they run.

Most importantly, no amount of searching online compares to getting in a canoe and trying it out. This is really the most important part of any canoe purchase. Visit a local paddle shop, or attend a demo day and talk to the staff there. If you describe your needs and budget, they can suggest brands and models that match. Seeing and trying canoes out may surprise you, and you could find one that wasn’t even on your radar.

Best SUP Brands For Touring, Surfing, Yoga & More

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

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December 11, 2021

Feature photo: Courtesy BIC SUP

With a large and growing number of standup paddleboard brands to choose from, both in store and online, you might find yourself wondering which ones take the top spot as the best paddleboard brands.

Some SUP brands make less expensive paddleboards while others build boards to go faster and further. Some brands sell boards that are stable enough to SUP with your pup and some standup paddleboard brands focus only on manufacturing paddleboards that inflate and deflate to be easily transportable. Some brands are focused on getting entry-level paddlers out in a packaged deal while others create specialty boards for whitewater, racing, expeditions or yoga.

Before you start looking at the top paddleboard brands, first consider that the idea of there being a “best paddleboard brand” is relative. There is no paddleboard popularity contest, although some brands are dominating the market. What’s best for me when choosing a paddleboard might not be what’s best for you. I also want to remind you that, cheesy though it may sound, the best paddleboard brand is always the one that gets you out enjoying the water safely.

In your search for top paddleboard brands it’s important to consider factors that might be most important to you, such as storage, transportation, price, durability and the presence or absence of additional features that you might want to have on a paddleboard.

The best paddleboard brand for you will be the one that can most closely deliver the right combination of what you’re looking for in terms of performance, cost and functional features, as well as any additional must-haves or nice-to-haves. The top paddleboard brand for you will essentially capture your on-water personality and aspirations within the span of a 10- to 14-foot paddleboard.

With all that said, we have compiled a list of best paddleboard brands. Check them out below but remember to keep in mind what “best” means to you as a paddler with individual needs.

Shop SUP brands

To help with your search for the best SUP brands we’ve compiled a large list of standup paddleboard brands to browse and choose from. While this list does not include all of the paddleboard brands out there it is a really great starting point which offers a variety of designs and price ranges.

In my own search for paddleboards, I often like to get a sense of the brand first to have an idea of their values and mission. I look into what kind of reviews they get and what the general quality of their standup paddleboards is. I try to understand the range of models they offer, as well as to simply see if I like their style and the look of the boards they sell. If you are investing your hard-earned money into a paddleboard it feels important to know who you are supporting, what their brand personality is like, as well as their customer service.

Best paddleboard brands

Now that you’ve had a chance to shop SUP brands to get a feel for each of the paddleboard brands and do a comparison of some of the lineups, let’s take a more thorough look at some of the top paddleboard brands.

Chances are good that you may have heard of some of the standup paddleboard brands listed below. Some have decades of watersports experience, some aspire to environmentally friendly manufacturing, some focus on affordable big-box store family-friendly models, and some bands cater to the ambitiously adventurous by keeping up with the latest innovations.

We’ve expanded on each of the best paddleboard brands below with articles discussing a general overview and history of the brand, their top paddleboard models, new and used buying advice, and more.

Click the links below to browse the articles and learn more about the best paddleboard brands.

Best SUP Brands For Touring, Surfing, Yoga & More

How to choose a paddleboard brand

With so many standup paddleboard brands to choose from, how do you pick one and does the brand really matter?

Let’s tackle the second question first, does the SUP brand really matter? The answer is both yes, and no, but often it matters at least somewhat. By that I mean if you are looking for a high-performance board you aren’t going to buy a brand that only offers entry-level paddleboards, and vice versa. However, if you are a novice paddler who plans on paddling recreationally in calm water the paddleboard brand matters much less and is often overruled by simple personal preference. The fewer performance requirements or considerations that you have for a paddleboard, the less the brand matters.

Many brands offer beginner, all-around, inflatable paddleboards for under $1,000. If you add additional considerations onto that inflatable beginner SUP, like a two-year warranty, a record of excellent customer service, sustainable manufacturing practices, good durability and a potentially higher price tag then your search for SUP brands that meet that criteria will narrow down.

The brand starts to matter more when you become more specific in what you are looking for as well as when you start paddling at a higher level and require better performance, features, design and manufacturing quality. Intermediate and advanced paddlers love to talk about the best SUP brands because they start to develop brand loyalty as they find the paddleboards that are best-suited to their specific needs.

The more niche the area of paddleboarding you are in, such as racing, expeditions, and whitewater, the more importance will be placed on a SUP brand that designs models specifically for that particular style of SUP paddling.

If you find yourself with minimal requirements for a paddleboard, the brand won’t matter much and you won’t need to seek out the best paddleboard brands. If you are in search of something particular in a paddleboard and believe the quality of your paddling experience will be enhanced by finding the right paddleboard brand for you, let’s explore how to pick the best standup paddleboard brand.

Remembering to keep in mind what is best for you as an individual, here are some questions to consider when researching and getting familiar with SUP brands:

What is the manufacturing quality of a brand’s paddleboards? Generally, brands that use materials like carbon fiber or fiberglass will have good construction techniques. High-quality inflatable boards use military-grade PVC with MSL construction. From there, double drop stitch construction, and single drop stitch construction offer successively less rigidity and durability.
What type of paddleboard are you looking for and what types of paddleboard does the SUP brand specialize in? Do you like their designs and do they have the features or accessories that you might want or use?
What is your budget for a paddleboard and which brands sell paddleboards within this price range? Read more on this in our article How Much Are Paddleboards.
Do the values of the SUP brand align with your personal values? Look at their personality and presence by peeking at their website and social media accounts to get a feel for what the brand represents. Is it important to you that a brand supports social or environmental initiatives or gives back to the community?
Is there a store nearby that sells the brand or is there an option to ship a paddleboard to you? Some paddleboard brands may be more accessible to you than others based on location.
What is included in the purchase of a paddleboard? Are there additional accessories that come with the package?
Does the brand offer a warranty on the products and do they have good customer support available?
What have reviews said about this brand and their paddleboards?

Reading paddleboard reviews online is a wonderful way to learn which SUP brands to avoid. Stay away from brands that reviewers have identified as having had bad customer service. You want to be able to rely on their support if there is a defect with your paddleboard after you have invested in the SUP. Why not try out the customer service response to a few of your questions prior to buying so you know what to expect?

Don’t choose brands based solely on a low price, like those you can shop for on Amazon. I would advise you to instead save up for something in a slightly higher price range from a brand that you’ve heard good things about. It would be wise to swipe left on SUP brands that don’t offer many details on specifications like weight limits and sizing, or don’t offer information on material construction.

Armed with this information you can review paddleboard brands above. As you search for the best paddleboard brand for you, you’ll serve yourself well if you try to spot the difference between the brands that will make you a lifelong customer as opposed to those who are hoping to pull you in with a quick sale.

15 Tips To Conquer Any Portage

Skills

By

Kevin Callan

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December 10, 2021

sign indicates a canoe portage — Even legendary canoeist Bill Mason once said, “Anyone who tells you portaging is fun is either a liar or crazy.” | Feature photo: Tony Webster/Flickr

It can hurt to portage a canoe. Whether you are hopping from one lake to another or avoiding a set of nasty rapids, each trail has some potentially painful characteristics: slippery rocks, steep inclines, bug-infested hollows, boot-sucking mud, wrong turns. Even legendary canoeist Bill Mason once said, “Anyone who tells you portaging is fun is either a liar or crazy.”

Portaging is canoe tripping’s necessary evil. Often a painful hike through the woods with 500 pounds of gear is the only thing standing between you and absolute solitude. There are ways to ease the pain, however. These portaging tips will lessen your burden considerably.

15 tips to conquer any canoe portage

Came, saw, conquered. | Photo: Kevin Callan

1 Reduce clutter

The only thing worse than having a canoe full of loose stuff is those same items dangling from your packs on a portage. Stuff everything inside a large canoe pack.

2 Lessen the sagging feeling

Choose a pack with a hip belt, chest strap, and a tumpline to lessen the sagging feeling of a heavy pack, especially while going uphill.

3 Test-drive your pack

Practice carrying your load around the block before attempting a real portage. If you are having problems, unpack and jettison nonessentials.

4 Avoid single carries

Portaging across twice obviously takes longer, but it’s better to make extra trips than to overdo it. You’ll avoid injuries and also have room to carry an extra flask of wine.

5 For type A’s

If you can’t bring yourself to do two full trips, try a trip and a half. Both canoeists head across the portage, one with packs and the other the canoe. Halfway along, the one carrying the canoe stops and returns for the second pack. The other person continues on to the end, and then returns for the canoe. If only one person is able to carry the canoe, then you can both start off with packs, and one person goes back for the canoe.

6 Hooked on portaging

Strap fishing rods along the inside gunwale and make sure no lures are attached. There’s nothing worse than fishing line tangled up in brush or a fish hook stuck in your gear, or worse, your arm.

man stows fishing gear before starting a canoe portage — Make sure you safely stow your fishing gear before starting the portage. | Photo: Daakrolb/Panoramio

7 Stand up and be counted

Preassign each group member the equipment they are responsible for carrying. This helps organize everything at the take-out and put-in, as well as assigning responsibility—or blame, depending on your group—if there’s something missing at the end of the day.

8 Money buys happiness, just this once

Splurge on either renting or buying a lightweight canoe. It’s worth it, I promise.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all lightweight canoes ]

9 Independence is bliss

Learn how to solo carry rather than shoulder the canoe with your partner. It’s actually easier in the long run and fewer arguments will erupt.

10 Portage a half-bubble off level

Replace your cheap, factory-built yoke or thwart with a custom yoke conforming to your own shoulders. Install the yoke yourself, placing it a wee bit back from center to make the canoe slightly tail-heavy.

people portage an ultralight canoe through dead trees — A lightweight canoe can make the load much easier to bear. | Photo: Dankarl/Wikimedia Commons

people portage an ultralight canoe through a forest — Sometimes a solo carry is actually easier in the long run. | Photo: Dankarl/Wikimedia Commons

11 Fast-acting pain relief

Carrying the canoe, occasionally drop one arm to your side. Grip the opposite gunwale with the other arm, making sure it’s outstretched and your elbow is straight. Switch often. This technique transfers the weight from one shoulder to the other and gives you a few minutes of pain relief.

[ Watch: Easiest And Safest Way To Lift And Portage Your Canoe ]

12 Keep a bar within reach

Placing a carrying bar or thwart in front of you, just within reach, offers more hand positions and reduces cramping or simply tie a rope between the bow and stern and grasp that to keep the canoe properly balanced.

13 Listen to your inner tortoise

When carrying packs I can generally suffer for at least 40 minutes before I have to stop and rest. But with the canoe I stop every 20 minutes and rest for five minutes before continuing. Also rest at the tops of hills, so you’re on your game during a slippery, rocky descent. Slow and steady wins the race.

14 Dangle a chocolate carrot from the bow

I always make sure to pack a big bag of treats. At the end of each carry we celebrate by gorging ourselves. It’s amazing how the thought of having something sweet at the end may be the only thing pushing you to get the job done.

a portage sign in the forest — Find a musical way to pass the time and you may not dread the sight of this sign. | Photo: Joshua Mayer/Flickr

15 Oh, Mickey, you’re so fine

I pass the time on portages by singing to myself. So I make darn sure the last song I heard on the radio before embarking on my trip was a good one, as I know it will be in my head for the entire trip. Try for something classic like Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” or Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville,” and nothing by Wham!

Paddling Magazine Issue 65 | Fall 2021

This article originally appeared in Canoeroots and Family Camping, 2004 and in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.

Even legendary canoeist Bill Mason once said, “Anyone who tells you portaging is fun is either a liar or crazy.” | Feature photo: Tony Webster/Flickr

All-Around Recreational Canoe Review: Pelican 15.5

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

-

December 8, 2021

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe is built tough, for many years of recreational paddling on rivers and lakes. It’s constructed of legendary RAM-X plastic, a durable material that’s proven to stand up to the rigors of rocky rivers. The Pelican 15.5 leisure canoe is versatile, with three seats that make it suitable for tandem and solo paddling as well as outings with three paddlers.

This 15.5-foot canoe has plenty of volume for weekend trips and more, with good depth to make it seaworthy in rough conditions and a flat bottom for good initial stability. With a price well under $1,000, our 15.5 Pelican canoe review concludes that this classic canoe remains budget-friendly while offering solid performance and outstanding durability.

Canoe Reviews

On the water with the Pelican 15.5

Pelican 15.5 Specs

Length: 15’6” / 4.75 m

Width: 37.5” / 95 cm

Weight: 81 lbs / 37 kg

Capacity: 800 lbs / 363 kg

MSRP: $469 USD / $759 CAD

Performance

Many paddlers note that the Pelican 15.5 has the perfect blend of speed, stability and maneuverability. We would have to agree; it’s our exact definition of an all-around recreational watercraft.

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe handles well on rivers and lakes, with the capacity to handle backcountry canoe camping trips ranging from a weekend to a week in length. The 81-pound weight makes it heavy to carry but lends durability and also allows the 15.5-foot Pelican canoe to feel secure in stronger winds.

Market and demographics

This 15.5-foot Pelican canoe is billed as a river canoe, with good maneuverability to help you steer around obstacles. And when you hit a rock, the patented RAM-X plastic hull is built to withstand years of use (and even abuse). The keel is the centreline of the hull from bow to stern. Pelican has reinforced the keel line of the 15.5 canoe with an aluminum rod to ensure structural integrity and paddling efficiency.

It’s part of what makes the Pelican 15.5 an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cheap canoe that has been built to last and will work well in a variety of applications. You can store it outside (ideally in a shaded location) without any worry of the Pelican 15.5 being damaged by the elements.

The Pelican 15.5 canoe comes equipped with fishing rod holders and three molded seats, making it suitable for anglers, families and solo paddlers. Use it at the cottage or on a day trip at your neighbourhood pond. There is much to be said for such a versatile canoe at this price.

father and daughter with beached Pelican 15.5 canoe in front of mountains — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

father and daughter paddle a Pelican canoe in front of mountains — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

Comfort

The molded plastic seats of the Pelican 15.5 canoe are highly functional, tough and reasonably comfortable—and they can be modified for longer days on the water (see below). It’s important to note that the Pelican 15.5’s plastic hull is far more comfortable to paddle than comparable aluminum canoes. It offers two main advantages over aluminum: The RAM-X plastic remains cool to the touch in hot weather and provides insulation between paddlers and cold water.

About the Pelican 15.5 canoe

Design

Design features and details

The most notable design features of the Pelican 15.5 canoe are its moderate rocker, flat-bottomed cross-section profile and flared entry lines. Combined, these features produce a canoe that responds well to paddle strokes on twisty and rock-studded rivers, with excellent stability and a dry ride in waves and chop.

A pronounced keel running along the bottom of the canoe allows the Pelican 15.5 to track straight on lakes; it also adds stiffness to the supple RAM-X hull, making it more efficient to paddle.

Material and construction

The Pelican 15.5 canoe is made of RAM-X, a proprietary polyethylene plastic that’s impressively durable. In fact, this heavy-duty canoe tripping material has a long track record of durability, originating with Coleman canoes in the 1980s. Pelican uses an aluminum rod along the keel line to increase stiffness in the hull to make it more efficient to paddle.

Paddle Sober And Smart

Never mix alcohol and paddling. Coast Guard and state BUI (boating under the influence) laws apply to all vessels. This includes canoes, kayaks, SUPs and rafts.

Outfitting and accessories

The Pelican 15.5 is outfitted like a classic canoe, with molded bench seats. Creature comforts include drink and fishing rod holders. Carry handles at either end of the canoe make it easier to haul the 81-pound Pelican 15.5 from a vehicle or boathouse to the water’s edge for launching.

Replacement seats are available from the manufacturer, and though it seems unlikely that these durable, foam-filled molded plastic seats will break, some Pelican 15.5 owners have reported a need for replacement. The process of swapping in a new seat is as easy as removing and re-attaching a few nuts and bolts.

Opportunities for modifications

Adding padding and a backrest to the seat is a great modification that increases the comfort factor of the Pelican 15.5 canoe. These can be as simple as stadium seats, fastened to the molded plastic benches. If you’re an angler, you may wish to install items like a fish-finder and bait wells to your Pelican 15.5. Glued-in knee pads are a simple upgrade that make it more comfortable to safely paddle the Pelican 15.5 in whitewater.

How it compares

The Pelican International 15.5 canoe strikes a nice balance between an expedition-ready tripping canoe and a compact day paddler, with attributes and design features that cater to both niches. The third seat sets it apart from Pelican’s other canoes. This allows you to paddle tandem or solo, or with a passenger in the center.

three people paddle in a Pelican canoe — Photo: Courtesy Pelican

Where to buy the 15.5

You’ll find the Pelican 15.5 canoe for sale at many outlets in Canada and the United States. Searching “Pelican 15.5 canoe Canadian Tire” will reveal availability across Canada. It’s also available at Walmart, Home Hardware and Peavey Mart.

The Pelican 15.5 canoe is marketed as the Pelican 15.5 Dakota in the United States. Look to find deals at box stores like Academy Sports.

Pelican 15.5 pros and cons

Pros

Jack-of-all-trades canoe that meets the demands of a wide variety of users, including river runners, anglers, cottagers, families, day trippers and overnight campers
Handles well on lakes and rivers with up to class II rapids
Outfitting is basic and can be modified to increase comfort
RAM-X hull is ultra tough, and able to withstand impacts and bounce off rocks

Cons

Heavy at 81 pounds

How To Install Wood Gunwales On Your Canoe

Skills

By

Scott MacGregor & Brian Shields

-

December 8, 2021

man installs wood gunwales on his canoe — Trim your boat’s plastic fat and look sexy for summer. | Feature photo: Scott MacGregor

Synthetic trim may be practical—vinyl is durable and aluminum is lightweight—but in my opinion, nothing matches the warmth of wood. Even on an ultralight Kevlar canoe, the classic look of traditional, natural wooden gunwales are worth the effort.

A wood gunwale replacement takes roughly eight hours and can pare down your canoe’s weight by at least five pounds. Your canoe will never look or feel better than with a fancy new set of wood gunwales. Here’s our approach to installing new wood gunwales on a composite canoe.

man clamps new wood gunwales on canoe — Make the inwale and outwale lengths as long as possible ensuring they can be clamped snugly in the curvature at the bow and stern. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

How to Install Wood Gunwales on Your Canoe

Preparation and Materials

Begin by drilling out the rivets from your ugly vinyl gunwales. Now that you’re totally committed, seek out specialty lumber yards. Look for a knot-free, straight-grained length of ash or cherry, about four inches wide and slightly shorter than the length of your boat.

If you lack your own table saw, planer and router, get on a first-name basis with the guy at your local woodworking shop and have him rip your plank into four equal strips. Gunwales squared to three-quarters of an inch look beefy, ideal for people who think paddling steep drops is a giggle. Five-eighths square looks best and is tough enough for all but the craziest of open boat cowboys.

The strips should be ripped slightly wider (by about one-eighth inch) than these final gunwale dimensions, then planed down to a perfect square in thickness and width, and finally rounded off to a round profile with a router using a three-eighths corner round over bit.

6 Steps to Install Wood Gunwales

1 How Long?

The inwale and outwale can be the same length. Play with the lengths until the inwale and outwale can be clamped together on the boat and still contour tightly to the curve of the hull at the ends. Center the gunwales on the boat using center marks on everything—boat, inwale and outwale. Round over the ends of the gunwale strips using a rasp and then sandpaper.

Carefully marking the centre point on everything makes assembly fast and accurate. To “cut your boat down” simply clamp the gunwales lower and then trim the Royalex later. Be careful—the two pieces of wood must be constantly checked for matching heights. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

Every pilot hole has to be countersunk to cradle the screw head but also to drill a hole through the Royalex hull. Carefully align the height of the inwale and outwale and clamp tightly before drilling. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

2 Drill Time

The goal is to beautify, so ensure there are only two screws showing at each end of the outwale. All other screws are installed from the inside of the boat. On your worktable, drill two one-eighth-inch holes, spaced five inches apart, in either end of the two outwales (the strips on the outside of the boat) and then a series of holes five inches apart on the inwales.

At this point, sand the gunwales to an irresistible smoothness. Seal the wood with an oil finish where it fits against the hull.

Create a hole-centring jig from scrap material to ensure that the holes are exactly centred in the gunwales. Sandwich a short section of squared gunwale stock (with a pre-drilled absolutely centred hole) between two pieces of wood about one and one-half inches wide. Slide it along the gunwales in the drilling operation. If the hole in your jig is five inches from one end, it eliminates all need for measuring hole spacing. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

Without a clamp on either side of the hole, winding in the screw actually forces the two strips apart. Many clamps make the installation much faster. The final turn of each screw should be done with a hand screwdriver. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

3 Clamps, Please

Clamp the gunwales back on the hull, centering everything again. Leave a bit of the hull protruding up between the strips; we’ll trim or sand this flush later. Now, countersink each predrilled hole, drilling through the hull. The drill bit in the countersink must be smaller than the width of a #6 screw. Screw threads need something to hold onto.

[ Paddling Buyer’s Guide: See all canoes ]

Hot shot tip: If you want to cut your boat down—reducing the depth and sheer—this is when you do it. Simply clamp the gunwales as low as you want the height of your boat. Drill. We’ll trim the excess material away later.

A laminate trimmer with a straight cutter eats through Royalex effortlessly, taking down the hull to meet your gunwales while elminating any rough edges. Hold on tight! Beg, borrow, buy or rent a trimmer, otherwise be prepared with lots of time and sand paper trying to sand Royalex. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

Cut the length of your thwarts to return the boat to its original factory width or try different widths to modify the hull shape to your personal preference. Dip in finishing oil to seal the ends. Locate thwarts carefully ensuring an equal distance from the bow or stern on each side. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

A random orbit sander will take the wood to a polished marble finish very quickly. Start with 60 grit and work up through 100 to 220 grit paper. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

4 Pass the Screws

With a clamp beside every hole, screw the two strips together using one-and-a-quarter-inch #6 stainless steel screws. Do the final tightening by hand.

a homemade sanding block smooths wood canoe gunwales — Some great tools cost nothing. Try making a sanding block for the round edges using high density foam. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

5 Pro Job

A laminate trimmer is used to trim off the rough and irregular edge. A sander does the same job but takes infinitely longer.

man uses exterior oil finish to seal his wood canoe gunwales — Using an exterior oil finish very sparingly prevents unsightly oil stains. A small piece of soft foam makes an idea applicator. Wipe up any oil on the hull immediately. A few minutes of hand rubbing the oil into the wood gives a hard, durable finish that will last for months of use. | Photo: Scott MacGregor

6 Polish Your Image

After a final sanding of the wood, and re-installing the thwarts, apply Varathane’s Natural Oil Finish. Cut up the old vinyl gunwales and use them as tomato stakes in the garden, the perfect final use for such hateful things.

Paddling Magazine Issue 65 | Fall 2021

This article first appeared in the Summer 2004 issue of Rapid Magazine and in Paddling Magazine Issue 65. Subscribe to Paddling Magazine’s print and digital editions here, or download the Paddling Magazine app and browse the digital archives here.

Trim your boat’s plastic fat and look sexy for summer. | Feature photo: Scott MacGregor

Recreational Kayak Review: Lifetime Wave Youth

By

Paddling Magazine Staff

-

December 7, 2021

You won’t find a better way to introduce youngsters to paddling than with the Lifetime Wave 60 Youth kayak. This lightweight sit-on-top recreational kayak is perfect for paddlers weighing less than 130 pounds. At 6’ long, the Wave 60 Youth is specifically designed to be easy to paddle for kids age 5 and up.

You might be wondering, what exactly is a Wave 60 kayak? A summary of Lifetime Wave Youth kayak reviews would say it is a durable, bargain-priced boat that would be an ideal addition to calm-water paddling outings with an entire family.

Kayak Reviews