Day 2 of the 2015 Canoecopia Show, presented by Rutabaga Paddlesports was even busier than the first day, with crowds filling the halls to check out the latest and greatest gear. The first paddling show for many in the US, Canoecopia was filled with spectators looking to buy new boats for the season, getting caught up on the latest trends in the world of paddling and canoeing and talking with old friends they were worried about over the long winter. Check out the latest offerings of gear that are sure to start a frenzy once spring hits your local waters:
Northstar Canoes
When renowned canoe builder Ted Bell came back to boat building, paddlers started to swoon at his new designs. Northstar Canoes, Bell’s new company, is putting out composite canoes that are a beauty on dry land and designed to be even better on the water. Offering both solo canoes and tandems, their are three material blends to choose from: kevlar, a carbon/kevlar combo and a fiberglass/kevlar combo.
Northstar’s Northwind solo canoe is a boat designed to handle lakes, rivers and any other water type you encounter. With great maneuverability, this boat will be breat for smaller creeks or rivers as well. “If you want a boat that does everything, this is the one you want” says Northstar. Stay tuned for a full boat review of the Northwind Solo in a near issue of Canoeroots! They also have beautiful paddles that are a combination of carbon and wood, designed to be “a lightweight paddle with some class,” said Northstar.
Frost River
Traditional canoe packs are truly a thing of beauty, especially when they’re made from high quality materials like the packs from Frost River, of Duluth Minnesota. Handcrafted in Duluth from 18oz, waxed canvas, these packs are water resistant and made to be of heirloom quality. The leather on the packs comes from the same leather supplier of Red Wing Boots, so they have a lasting history of quality.
All the hardware is made from solid brass and is all hand-pounded. Their Lewis and Clark pack, $260 (pictured below), is perfect for week long expeditions into the backcountry, or short weekend jaunts. Frost River also makes a smartly designed pack called the Camp Cook’s Kitchen Pack, $310, which is perfect for storing all your kitchen essentials, even knives in an organized and great looking pack.
Sylvan Sport
Throwing your canoe on your roof is quite the feat sometimes. Sylvan Sport’s new GO-Easy trailer is ideal for throwing multiple boats and a bunch of camping or fishing gear onto and then quickly attaching it to virtually any vehicle.
The 275lbs trailer is so light that not only can any vehicle tow it, but you can also un-hitch it from your truck and walk it down to the launch by hand. All the lights on the trailer are high-quality LEDs and come standard with 74″ Thule crossbar racks.
For more information about Canoecopia, or Rutabaga Paddlesports, check out canoecopia.com.
