Spring 2013
Volume 5
BROADENING HORIZONS AHEAD Thank you for your interest in Nova Craft Canoe! As we move into our 43rd year of canoe building we want to acknowledge people like you who support paddlesports simply by getting out there and doing it. You have helped take us from humble beginnings in 1970 as a garage based specialty canoe builder to one of the most respected brands available. Our goal is to continue to provide paddlers with quality canoes covering an increasingly wider variety of applications. That said, the year ahead is shaping up to be an exciting time of broadening our horizons and offering you more choices from the Nova Craft menu! We’re thrilled to be offering paddlers a variety of new canoe models for 2013! Whitewater enthusiasts will be happy to know that the first two canoes out of the gate are the Moisie 16’6” tandem and Ocoee 11’3” solo. We’ll talk more about these below. Very soon to follow will be two offerings for the flatwater crowd; the Falcon 16’ and Eagle 17’ tripping models. So whether your thing is glassy, calm lakes or a rapid-fueled adrenaline rush, we’re proud to be broadening our catalogue and offering you a greater variety of quality canoes to choose from. The Falcon and the Eagle are cruiser designs for paddlers that are looking for flatwater canoes with efficient lines, outstanding tracking and good speed on the lake. They feature plumb stems, sharp entry lines, narrow width, and a shallow asymmetrical hull shape. Even though these canoes are cruisers, the Falcon remains maneuverable due to its slight rocker. The Eagle’s high-volume is stable and has good load capacity. Canoeists looking for a day trip or month long expedition will find what they are looking for in these models. The Falcon and Eagle will accommodate every flatwater paddler, from beginner to expert. They will be available in early spring. The Moisie was inspired by an original Steve Scarborough design. It is a tandem whitewater tripping canoe that will appeal to seasoned
paddlers with a taste for rapids. Extremely responsive under the toughest conditions, it’s perfect for any whitewater setting. It’s wide, deep hull and raked ends will keep you dry even when carrying a heavy load of gear. The Moisie comes standard with vinyl gunwales and weighs 64lbs in Royalex and 77lbs in Royalex Plus.
creeking and general river running and it is an outstanding OC1 for slalom. With practice the Ocoee is definitely a canoe that any whitewater enthusiast can savour. The Ocoee comes standard with vinyl gunwales and weighs 38lbs in Royalex and 44lbs in Royalex Plus.
The Ocoee is based on a very popular OC1 design by Frankie Hubbard. It is one of the most sought after solo whitewater playboats ever produced. The Ocoee’s flexibility is remarkable for
Whether it’s one of our new models or one of our popular classics, we hope you find your next canoe in the pages that follow.
N O V A C R A F T. C O M 1-866-88 CANOE
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CONTENTS 3
Why I’m Happy we Make Canoes by Tim Miller
9
Recreational Series Canoes
4
Beyond the Comfort Zone by Gail Shields
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Recreational, Whitewater & Outfitter Series Canoes
5
Family Time in Algonquin by Kevin Callan
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Cruiser Series Canoes
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Paddle Smart, Not Hard by Rolf Kraiker
13
Materials, Accessories & Options, Glossary of Terms
7
New Whitewater Canoes
14
Choosing the Right Canoe for You & Trim Systems
8
Prospector Series Canoes
15
Canoe Specifications
4 5 14
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 you start 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 adventure with your best friend, to a long expedition with a group of fellow paddlers. 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 great flatwater canoe will not be the best in big river rapids. Conversely a great whitewater canoe will not be the best choice for crossing lakes. A flatwater canoe should be more straight keeled to assist in tracking. It should also be shallower to reduce the effects of wind, be narrower and have finer entry lines for speed. A good whitewater canoe needs to have some rocker to facilitate quick turns. They will also be deeper and will usually have fuller ends for a drier ride. If you are looking to paddle on both flatwater and whitewater 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 you going 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 a larger volume to hold all your food, tents, and packs for your entire time in the interior.
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3. How many people will be using the canoe at one time? You need to make sure there is enough room in the canoe for everyone. 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 the weight 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 the water whereas plastic boats (Royalex, Royalex Plus and SP3) are tougher and are more appropriate where severe impacts may occur. Whitewater canoes will need to be made of more durable materials to cope with impacts. Flatwater canoes can be made of lighter materials for portaging from lake to lake. 6. What is your budget? As a general rule, lighter canoes are more expensive. While you may have decided that you need a high end boat, the practical matter of expense must be considered. Also see page 14. For a better understanding of boating terms and characteristics, please visit novacraft.com/canoepurchase.htm
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WHY I’M HAPPY WE MAKE CANOES Tim Miller, President, Nova Craft Canoe
No staged pictures. No big fancy photo shoot. Just my son Ben, his wife Nicole and our three young grand children, Caroline, Gwen and Blake enjoying an afternoon paddle. Lots of fish, turtles, birds, dragonflies and waterlilies were discovered along the way. It’s simply a beautiful thing.
UNDER THE CURRENT
The Frankie Hubbard Award In honor of a respected and well-renowned canoe designer, Nova Craft Canoe is introducing the annual Frankie Hubbard Award. It will be announced on May 4th of each year and will recognize anyone between the ages of 14 to 21 who stands out within the paddling community. Nova Craft dealers, outfitters, ambassadors and
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partners can submit their nominations by April 15th, to have their nominee eligible for this award. Nova Craft’s committee of industry leaders will review the submissions and select the winner, who will then be given their own Ocoee, an original Frankie Hubbard design! Follow us on Facebook for more information.
Royalex and Royalex Plus We have decided to change the names of our two ABS materials. What was known as Royalex Lite will now be referred to as Royalex, and what we used to call Royalex will now be called Royalex Plus. This change was made so our products can be compared more easily to industry standards. We feel that these changes will benefit our customers in that our Royalex is now similar in its base weight to the Royalex of our competitors, which allows for easier brand comparisons. In addition, we feel that the name Royalex Plus better reflects the extra strength characteristics of our rugged, expedition grade ABS material. Our Royalex canoes will be trimmed standard with aluminum gunwales (also available with vinyl gunwales at no extra cost). Royalex Plus canoes will be trimmed with vinyl gunwales. For a list of canoes available in Royalex and Royalex Plus, please refer to page 15. Ash Gunnel Upgrade Many of the improvements to our canoes come as a direct result of responding to the requests of our customers. Recently it was brought to our attention that while our ash trim is a beautiful example of fine wood craftsmanship, people didn’t want to see the fasteners on the outside of the canoe. So this year our ash gunnel trim system has been upgraded to reflect a more classical look. The majority of the wood screws are now on the inner gunnel. The screws that are required to be on the outer gunnel, such as the ones that secure the end decks, are now capped. The result is a very clean, refined look on the outer gunnel. See the picture on page 14.
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BEYOND THE COMFORT ZONE Gail Shields, Seasonal Pursuits “Don’t let go of me - please don’t let go of me!” These beseeching words have stuck with me since a 65-year-old woman swam with me in 18” of water during a warm up for a Nahanni river trip. This woman is probably the bravest person I have ever had on any trip I’ve guided. She was one of 10 women on a trip that was to challenge each of them in many different ways. Why were they going to an environment that was so foreign to most of them? One hadn’t even slept in a tent before! But each of them did choose to put themselves out there. The warm-up weekend gave them a glimpse into the camping and paddling skills though nothing could prepare them for the unparalleled beauty and scale of the wonders of the Nahanni. One woman came to put closure on the death of a beloved husband who had promised her a Nahanni trip, another, to once again be on the river that had helped her after her first bout with breast cancer. The 65 year old woman was there as a gift from her sister. Her challenge became a two-week
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It was the challenge of the other guides and I to rise and meet their expectations and keep them all safe. process of physical survival. But everyone had a story behind why they came. It was the challenge of the other guides and myself to rise and meet their expectations and keep them all safe. As the trip unfolded, the unity and teamwork of these women continued to evolve in many different ways, whether it was helping to portage canoes, cook a meal or even put up a tent in the wind. It was my own challenge to have a bout of pneumonia on the trip and I was fortunate enough to have the loving hands of a doctor and physiotherapist help me through without divulging it to the rest of the ladies. Having done the river several times I was able to see things through their eyes when waves looked huge or the ferry looked insurmountable. There were endless doubts. Do I have to go alone into the bush to do my business? What if I end up in the water? Can I carry my gear and canoe over the portage? I shed tears and laughed myself silly reading the common trip journal at night in my tent. It was full of heart wrenching stories from these women who
opened their souls to us all. The “yippee – yahoo” I heard on the river near the end and “can we go back and run that again?” told me everything I needed to know. The loud singing of “ I am cow” by the Arrogant Worms became the theme song, much to the detriment of those who wanted to see wild life. Oh, how they had changed and adapted. I had the added challenge of working with my boss, who I admired and respected. We had different ways of doing our job but that worked to our advantage. At the end of the trip, I was greatly moved that she wanted to guide with me again. Canoeing in such remote places does wonderful things to one’s confidence and esteem. All the women came out of the towering last canyon of the Mackenzie Mountains empowered by the experience – including this humbled and grateful river guide.
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FAMILY TIME IN ALGONQUIN Kevin Callan, The Happy Camper Our family canoe trip this past Summer was a solid one. Twelve days of paddling and portaging across Ontario’s Algonquin Provincial Park. My time with my seven year old daughter was well spent. We caught lots of frogs, toasted Smore’s around the campsite, found a beach to swim every day; the bond between father and daughter was immeasurable. It always has been. Since she was out of diapers I’ve made sure Kyla was part of the trip rather then someone tagging along on it. She carries her own pack on the portage - even though it only contains a collection of Barbie’s and her favorite books. She has chores to do around camp as well, like helping mom put the tent up, fetch water or gather firewood. She even paddles some of the time, but not all the time. Our relationship on a canoe trip is somewhere between being a camp councilor and an overenthusiastic and ever watchful parent; and it seems to work. It was on the portage leading into Little Trout Lake at the end of day three Kyla had her first moose encounter. I was just ahead of her on the trail, balancing the family over-sized canoe over my shoulders, when I caught a glimpse of four dangly legs a few meters off the overturned bow. It was a young bull, one that had definitely seen humans before. I unloaded the canoe and then jogged back on the trail a bit, catching up with Kyla and whispered “Your moose is waiting for you just ahead.” She did a slight scurry past me to catch a glimpse, and then stopped dead in her
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tracks when she saw it. “It’s big! Bigger than I thought” she muttered back, and then proceeded to motion me to go first on the trail. Pictures of the moose were taken by my
“Your moose is waiting for you just ahead.” “It’s big! Bigger than I thought” daughter, my wife and myself. I swear the moose posed for them. It also took its sweet time moving out of our way before we continued on our route. We escaped the moose encounter without incident and found ourselves camped on a banana-shaped island on Big Trout Lake a couple
hours later. A group of vociferous terns were our neighbors, which became a problem when CBC Radio called on the satellite phone. Michael Bhardwaj of CBC’s In Town and Out had scheduled a few interviews with us while we made out way across Algonquin. Michael said the squawking birds added to the “live” quality of the show. I just found them annoying. So did Kyla. She was interviewed by Michael as well, and she did a great job rambling on about how she felt about being on an extended canoe trip with her parents. The best part of the interview was when Michael questioned Kyla’s if she could handle a full twelve days in the wilderness. Her reply was priceless. “You don’t get out much do you Michael?” She then handed the phone back to me and said “That’s not my thing dad, next radio interview you’re on your own”. I love time spent in the wilderness with my daughter. She teaches me so much.
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PADDLE SMART, NOT HARD Rolf Kraiker, Blazing Paddles When you're standing on shore looking at a set of rapids, adrenaline flowing as you're thinking about the rush you'll experience as you hit the drop its hard to equate that with a game of chess, but in truth there's as much of a mental challenge as a physical one to be good at paddling the frothy stuff. At the end of a day-long teaching session, a student once remarked on how relaxed I looked. Her observation was that even though I'd spent a lot more time paddling on the river than she had, I still had lots of energy left while she was utterly exhausted. That observation made me wonder. I'd been using video equipment to film students so that they could see what they were doing on the river. When I played back the clips in slow motion, one thing became very apparent to me as I reviewed the footage with my student's observation in mind. Typically, newcomers to
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out what you need to do to get ready for the next set of waves, but that's a necessary skill to become an effective whitewater paddler. As a river drops through a set of rapids, it generates a lot of energy that a paddler can tap into. Much like a sailboat can tap into the energy of the wind and sail upwind, a paddler can use their The key to becoming an canoe to work their way upstream or ease the downstream, but that takes an understandefficient paddler in whitewater journey ing of how to use the shape of the canoe to direct is bear in mind the mantra... the energy of the river. What might take 15 or more frantic strokes with the paddle to accomplish could “paddle smart, not hard”. often be done with one well placed paddle stroke as long as the set up is done correctly. The key to becoming an efficient paddler in only calm down and look ahead at what's coming, whitewater is bear in mind the mantra... “paddle smart, not hard”. If a paddler can imagine their they'd be putting more effort into one stroke that canoe hull acting on the current in much the same was effective instead of doing many strokes that way a sail does in the wind, it's possible to tap into were simply wasted effort. the force of the river to do the bulk of the work in Seeing the difference in effort required when I negotiating rapids. That's a skill that can be watched myself paddle the same section of rapids as my students, it was clear that my approach was developed on your own, but it generally happens much faster with a push start with some good more like a game of chess, I was planning my moves well in advance of the water I was paddling. instruction. It takes practice to get past simply responding to the waves you're in, instead of looking ahead to figure paddling were wasting a lot of energy “flailing” with their paddles. The timing of their strokes, the position of the canoe, the angle to the current, the tilt of the hull all were working against them. What struck me most watching the students was that if they'd
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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 tripping canoe for modern day explorers who want to tackle whitewater with big waves and deep holes. The symmetrical shape, deep hull, large volume ends and 4” of rocker makes for lots of manoeuvrability and a dry ride in the big stuff. At 34” wide the Moisie still has enough speed on the flat sections to get you to the next set of rapids with ease. The Moise has plenty of carrying capacity for extended river expeditions. Surfing, sideslipping and ferrying in and out of rapids are all handled with ease. Whether you're just out to enjoy a day of play in whitewater or you're about to head out on a month long expedition, the Moisie is an amazing canoe 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 river running. It is a very predictable canoe yet is still able to accomplish dynamic and aggressive moves in the most challenging whitewater. Even though it is forgiving enough to accommodate beginners, it is an outstanding OC1 for slalom 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 the power of the river making for tighter turns that let you snap it in and out of eddies with ease. The hull has a compound tumblehome on the sides that gives it remarkable secondary stability compared to other open playboat canoe designs. The pronounced rocker and flat bottom means the boat holds its momentum and angle, carves effortlessly, loves to surf and runs even big waves with unmatched dryness. Available in Royalex and Royalex Plus.
* Royalex Plus only available in Yellow
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• flat bottom • pronounced rocker • symmetrical
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PROSPECTOR SERIES Prospector 15’
Prospector 16’
The Prospector 15 is a scaled-down version of our larger Prospectors that'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 but don't need the extra volume. Its extra responsiveness also makes the P15 a fun tandem playboat.
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 of our way to continue the tradition so future generations of paddlers can enjoy this icon of Canadian history. The Workhorse of the Canadian north, our Prospector feels most at home loaded with gear on a remote wilderness lake or river. While it is best suited for river tripping, it remains versatile enough to be a good all round canoe. With experience, the self-righting aspects of the shallow arch hull will become apparent and confidence levels will soar. What’s more, it provides a very dry ride in big waves and whitewater. It is simply the best all round wilderness tripping canoe available.
• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical
• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical • avail. with or without shoe keel
Prospector 17’
Prospector 18’
If you want a canoe that will handle a month's worth of supplies to head out on a wilderness adventure, this is the canoe for you. In the Prospector 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 materials and classic Prospector lines make the P17 the ultimate wilderness extended tripping canoe.
The cargo capacity of the Prospector 18 model can only be described as massive. The Prospector lines produce a canoe that feels deceptively light and responsive, but there's tons of space to pack in a load of supplies for any 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 expedition style adventures or a large family wanting to travel in one canoe.
• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical • avail. with or without shoe keel
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• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical
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RECREATIONAL SERIES Teddy 12’
Bob Special 15’
This original Chestnut Canoe Company design with Nova Craft innovation offers a craft that is perfect for children. Kids will love to be able to take it out on their own and enjoy spending time on the water in a canoe that they can manage easily. Outfitting your children with the right equipment is as essential to water safety as supervision. Ensure that the kids will be safe on the water with this stable and easy-to-use canoe. The Teddy is all about comfort with safety in mind for the kids. It will carry them and all the gear they'll need for a small journey as it requires minimal effort to keep it gliding on the water. The featherweight of this craft also allows them to move it in and out of the water with ease. The Teddy will allow kids to have fun in their exploration of the outdoors without the frustration of complicated, technical and never-ending instruction. Keep quiet and watch them learn!
The Chestnut Canoe Company responded to the need for a lightweight canoe well suited to solo tripping and casual tandem paddling by introducing the versatile Bob Special. While the canoe was very stable due to its larger than normal width, the hull shape was optimized for performance resulting in a canoe that was remarkably fast. Our version is based on the Chestnut original with some improvements to increase speed and sea worthiness. It is ideally suited as a tandem day-tripper yet large enough for a weekend canoe trip. It really shines when paddled solo by a competent paddler. The Bob has a unique blend of characteristics that produce a canoe novice paddlers can enjoy yet experts can savour.
• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical
• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical • avail. with or without shoe keel
Muskoka 15’ 10”
PAL 16’
The Muskoka is a traditional canoe designed to provide comfort and safety for anyone looking for a canoe suitable for light recreational use. Easy weekend trips or poking around the lakes and rivers near a cottage are where this canoe will excell. The Muskoka has enough carrying capacity for a young family, yet it provides enough stability to make an outing with kids and dogs enjoyable. The traditional lines of this canoe make 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.
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 the original 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 flatwater trips 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”.
• flat bottom • slight rocker • symmetrical • with keel
• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical
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Spring 2013
RECREATIONAL
WHITEWATER
Trapper 12’ Solo
Supernova 14’ 10” Solo
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 be small enough to get through the then nonexistent portage trails at the same time. To meet these unique needs, The Chestnut Canoe Company brought something efficient yet maneuverable into production. For the modern canoeist, both the primary and secondary stability of The Trapper are reassuring, though its stability does not sacrifice its speed. It has lots 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 light craft for portaging into small productive lakes.
The Supernova was designed as the ideal solution for the paddler who loves to do solo wilderness river trips. While the Supernova hull characteristics do what you'd expect from a white water boat – like keep you dry and effortlessly surf a wave – where you really appreciate the canoe is the flat water sections in between the frothy stuff. The Supernova would be most appreciated by experienced paddlers who enjoy messing around in rapids. Even though it comes to life in the rough stuff, it retains enough of a quiet nature that it won't feel out of place for a casual paddle on the local pond. In the hands of a competent paddler the Supernova is an excellent dance partner.
• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical
• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical
OUTFITTER SERIES SP3 Prospector 16’ and 17’ Specifications Shown is Prospector 16’ The Outfitter models have the same performance characteristics as our famous Prospector models, 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 to owners who plan to subject them to hard use with little maintenance. While the Outfitters are our 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 rental shops 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 that should last a lifetime.
• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical
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Canoe
P16
P17
Length
15’6” 472 cm 88 lb 40 kg 35”
17’ 518 cm 95 lb 43 kg 36”
90 cm
91.5 cm
14.5” 36 cm 23” 58.5 cm 2” 5 cm 2” 5 cm 900 lb 409 kg
14.5” 36 cm 23” 58.5 cm 2” 5 cm 2” 5 cm 1200 lb 544 kg
Weight Beam D E P T H
Center
R O C K E R
Bow
Bow
Stern Capacity
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CRUISER SERIES Cronje (Chrone-yeh) 17’
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My sincere appreciation to Nova Craft Canoe, for making such a wonderful product. I own a Pal canoe, in Spectra, with ash gunnels and two tone color scheme - olive over a sand bottom. It has been in rocky twisty creeks, to big wind swept water. It seems every trip is fraught with strong head winds and big waves. Incredibly, when trimmed correctly, this boat paddled as a solo has handled up to 3 foot waves with aplomb. However, this boat is all what I was told and more. I feel a deep connection with my boat and all the adventures we have shared together ... and the adventures that await. Thank you for making such a marvelous boat. I love my Pal canoe. Bob Bramlett Dodgeville, WI
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 speed and the canoe handles well both with a load and empty. Its lower profile means 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 the famed Boundary Waters or Algonquin Park.
I paddle the Cronje on patrol over Leigh Lake which is a three by three mile lake in the back country at the mouth of two steep canyons. When my wife (also a ranger) and I do patrols, we use the Cronje. It sheds the wind better than any tandem canoe I have used, and tracks nicely with the speed sufficient to get our work done in a timely fashion. Sometimes we have to be somewhere fast and the Cronje gets that done better than any other canoe we have used. A very nice workhorse lake canoe with nice style making it fun to work in and with. In any case, you have a satisfied customer in the Tetons who shows your wares off daily to the various campers in back country sites that we patrol by water. Just one Cronje getting there safely, on time and with style.
• shallow arch • fast entry lines • symmetrical • slight rocker
Thanks for your creativity and commitment to your craft. Peter Philips Jenny Lake Ranger Station Grand Tetons National Park
Tripper 16’
Haida 17’
The classic lines of this canoe hide the modern innovations incorporated into the hull design. While it still looks like a traditional canoe 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. Beginners will find the stability reassuring and as paddlers become more advanced they will appreciate the faster hull and easy glide.
The Haida is the "big brother" of our Tripper model. It's asymmetrical and share all the same handling characteristics of the 16 foot canoe but it's a bit wider and a bit longer. That gives it extra carrying capacity without changing speed or handling. The added roominess and stability means it is an ideal canoe 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 to experienced paddlers. Both the beginner and the expert will enjoy the Haida either for relaxation, like fishing or the adventures of a wilderness trip.
• shallow arch • straight keel with raised ends • asymmetrical
• flat bottom • straight keel with raised ends • asymmetrical
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Lighter, stronger with higher endurance From 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 afford 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 30012 800-451-6586 usainfo@teijinaramid.com www.teijinaramid.com
Spring 2013
MATERIALS Unique Infusion System Our unique, hightech Infusion System, adapted from the aerospace industry, offers distinct advantages over traditional boat building systems:
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Fiberglass is a very affordable composite material with a proven track record of durability. Our fiberglass hulls are among the lightest and most rugged on 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.
• Eliminates human error
Aramid These hulls are infused with high
• Drastically reduces the number of blemishes and imperfections
impact vinylester resin, sandwiched with fiberglass cloth between an outer layer of Cap (Chemically Activated Polyester) cloth and an inner layer of Aramid.
• 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) • And produces better, more consistent boats. Today, Nova Craft Canoe uses this unique process on 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 to exacting 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.
Aramid Lite The Aramid Lite is proven to have considerable longevity, increased structural strength and is lighter than our traditional Aramid material. The hull components are 100% Aramid cloth and a premium vinylester resin that is engineered for maximum elongation. The Aramid Lite remains unmatched in its weight class in terms of durability and will outlast the competition at a reasonable price.
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 model for extra hull strength and stiffness while keeping the weight down. These canoes are great for shallow rivers and whitewater and stand up under the most rugged conditions. The major advantage to ABS canoes is their survivability in situations where an accident might leave a less robust canoe unusable. When you’re on a remote wilderness trip and you need to rely on your boat to bring you back, ABS is still the most popular choice.
Aramid/Spectra
We combine Aramid and Spectra with a high impact-resistant vinylester resin in these infused hulls for expedition quality, lightweight canoes that resist tearing and punctures far better than an all Aramid canoe.
Blue Steel Nova Craft’s exclusive BLUE STEEL is an advanced Aramid Carbon material combined with Spectra and applied
SEATS & YOKES Seats:
Yokes:
We could use less expensive materials, but why would we? Our philosophy has always been to give 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.
Because you’re going to be sitting on them for the better part of 15 years, you might as well be comfortable. Our exclusive nylon laced seats are beautiful to look at, tough as nails and best 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.
Portaging your canoe shouldn’t be a pain in the neck. Our deluxe sculpted ash yokes fit comfortably 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 TERMS
GUNWALE: Component that finishes the edge of
R-84: Is a thinner and lighter alloy used on ABS substrate. Not used on any Nova Craft Canoe models.
canoe, Vinyl, Anodized Aluminum or Ash.
INFUSION: Process where materials are laid into SHOE KEEL: A wide, flat keel used on river canoes. mold and placed under pressure using vacuum. SPECTRA: Polyethylene that has been drawn into a on Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene (ABS), Next resin is introduced to flow through the combined by a variety of methods. Possesses good laminate. This produces a product with a very high filament as fine as a spider web and then woven to make cloth. A little lighter than Aramid but it’s impact strength, heat resistance, low temperature. material-to-resin ratio. greatest attribute is it’s incredible impact resist® ® ARAMID: (Kevlar /Twaron ) Aramid fibres that have LAY UP: Process of placing layers of cloth in the mold. ance. Best laminated under high vacuum to twice the stiffness of fibreglass, 25% higher achieve a void free laminate. MAT: Fibrous material consisting of chopped or tensile strength and 1/3 less weight. swirled filaments with a binder. Usually heavier TRIM: Gunwales, seats, end decks, yoke, thwart CAP: Chemically Activated Polyester woven cloth and more brittle than cloth. and hardware. often used in combination with Aramid and woven RESIN: Any polymer used to bond layers of cloth VINYLESTERS: Developed to provide the ease of fibreglass. together. handling of polyester resin combined with the CLOTH: Conventionally woven fibre material. impact resistance and toughness of epoxy. ROYALEX PLUS, ROYALEX: A vulcanized plastic sheet ABS: Family of thermoplastics or terpolymers based
GELCOAT: Colour pigmented polyester resin. First resin applied to mold.
N O VA C R A F T. C O M
combining layers of vinyl, ABS, and a foam core. Makes stiff, durable canoes which have very high impact resistance. Unsurpassed for expedition and whitewater use.
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Spring 2013
CANOE COLOURS* CHOOSING THE RIGHT CANOE Royalex & Royalex Plus: FOR YOU 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 last a lifetime. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to choose by following these three easy steps:
Red
Green
Burgundy
*Colours may not be exactly as shown. Visit your dealer for colour samples.
Fibreglass, Aramid, Aramid Lite, Spectra, BlueSteel:
Red
Green
Sand
DesertWhite
Ox Blood
Olive Green
Sunray
Blue Steel
Natural Photo by Kevin Callan
1 2
3
Read the ACTIVITY CHART on page 15
Match your selected activities with our models throughout the catalogue (what should you know before you buy a canoe, see page 2)
Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS chart on page 15 to choose your construction materials. Options and trims can be found below.
TRIM SYSTEMS Standard Trim: Low maintenance trim features Options: aircraft-grade black anodized aluminum gunwales with aluminum reinforced ABS end decks, standard on laminate & Royalex hulls. Reinforced PVC vinyl gunwales with oversized rotomolded decks are standard with our Royalex Plus models. Nylon laced ash seats, ash thwart, carrying handles and a balanced carrying yoke complete the package.
Wood Trim:
We use only straight grained white ash gunwales fastened with stainless steel screws. Ash grained seats, ash thwarts, custom cut decks, contoured carrying handles and a hand rubbed oil finish complete the look.
N O VA C R A F T. C O M
White Ash Gunwales, Oil Finish Ash Web Seat
Standard Trim
Kneeling Thwart Aramid Skid Plates Installed Additional Centre Seat Knee Pads Custom Colour Expedition Spray Deck Spray Deck Installation
Wood Trim 8 6 6 - 8 8
C A N O E
Spring 2013
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17’
68 lb
60 lb
49 lb
56 lb
50 lb
64 lb
17’
~ ~
12’
47 lb
38 lb
29 lb
34 lb
30 lb
39 lb
12’
47 lb
38 lb
29 lb
34 lb
30 lb
39 lb
15’
60 lb
50 lb
40 lb
45 lb
42 lb
58 lb
Haida
t
R Q E 518 cm 30.9 kg 27.3 kg 22.3 kg 25.5 kg 22.7 kg 29.1 kg
Cronje
R Q E 518 cm
54 lb 47 lb 50 lb 47 lb 59 lb 24.5 kg 21.4 kg 22.7 kg 21.4 kg 26.8 kg
Ca pa cit y
60 lb
Bo w
46 lb
St er n
50 lb
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
35” 14” 22” 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm 36” 14” 22” 91.5 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm 35” 13” 21” 88.9 cm 33 cm 53.5 cm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
1000 lb 455 kg 1200 lb 545 kg 1000 lb 455 kg
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
34” 86.4 cm 34” 86.4 cm 35” 88.9 cm 34” 86.4 cm 35” 88.9 cm
13” 33 cm 13” 33 cm 14” 35.5 cm 13” 33 cm 14” 35.5 cm
18” 45.7 cm 18” 45.7 cm 21” 53.4 cm 20” 50.8 cm 21” 53.5 cm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
490 lb 223 kg 490 lb 223 kg 800 lb 364 kg 800 lb 364 kg 900 lb 409 kg
70lb 31.8 kg 74 lb 33.6 kg 80 lb 36.4 kg 84 lb 38.2 kg
~ ~ 88 lb 40 kg 95 lb 43 kg ~ ~
36” 91.4 cm 36” 91.4 cm 36” 91.4 cm 36” 91.4 cm
15” 38 cm 15” 38 cm 15” 38 cm 15” 38 cm
23” 58.5 cm 23” 58.5 cm 23” 58.5 cm 23” 58.5 cm
2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm
2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm 2.5” 6.4 cm
850 lb 386 kg 1000 lb 455 kg 120 lb 545 kg 1400 lb 636 kg
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
34” 86.4 cm 25” 63.5 cm 32” 81.2 cm
15” 26” 4” 4” 38 cm 66 cm 10 cm 10 cm 15.5” 21.5” 5.5” 5.5” 39.4 cm 54.6 cm 14 cm 14 cm 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 38 cm 54.4 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm
1100 lb 500 kg 500 lb 227 kg 850 lb 386 kg
Bo w
46 lb
Be am
54 lb
R Q 488 cm 29.1 kg 24.5 kg 20.9 kg 22.7 kg 20.9 kg 27.3 kg
Pl us
Bl ue St ee l Ro ya lex
64 lb
t
ROCKER
SP 3
Ar am id Lit e Sp ec tra
16’
Tripper
DEPTH Ro ya lex
Fib re gla ss t Ar am id
CRUISER
Le ng th
Ac tiv ity
WEIGHT & MATERIALS *
Ce nte r
SPECS
RECREATIONAL Trapper Solo
R S Q 366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg
Teddy Kids Bob Special
R Q 366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg R Q 457 cm 27.3 kg 22.7 kg 18.2 kg 20.5 kg 19.1 kg 26.4 kg
tt
PAL
16’
~ 54 lb ~ 24.5 kg 16’ 68 lb 56 lb R S Q 488 cm 30.9 kg 25.5 kg
44 lb 49 lb 20 kg 22.3 kg 46 lb 50 lb 20.9 kg 22.7 kg
46 lb 58 lb 20.9 kg 26.4 kg 46 lb ~ 20.9 kg ~
15’
~ ~ ~ ~ 16’ 72 lb 54 lb R T W 488 cm 32.7 kg 24.5 kg 17’ 73 lb 62 lb T E W 518 cm 33.2 kg 28.2 kg 18’ ~ ~ T E W 548 cm ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ 45 lb 52 lb 20.5 kg 23.6 kg 48 lb 58 lb 21.8 kg 26.4 kg ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ 48 lb 21.8 kg 52 lb 23.6 kg ~ ~
16’ 6” T E W 506 cm
~ ~ ~ 67 lb 77 lb ~ ~ ~ 30.5 kg 35 kg ~ ~ ~ 38 lb 44 lb ~ ~ ~ 17.3 kg 20 kg 34 lb 48 lb 44 lb 52 lb 58 lb 15.5 kg 21.8 kg 20 kg 23.6 kg 26.4 kg
R Q 488 cm
Muskoka
t
PROSPECTOR Prospector 15’
R T W 457 cm
Prospector 16’tt Prospector 17’tt Prospector 18’
60lb 27.3 kg 64 lb 29.1 kg 68 lb 30.9 kg 70 lb 31.8 kg
WHITEWATER New Moisie New Ocoee Solo
W
Supernova Solo
T W
11’ 3” 344 cm 14’ 10” 452 cm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
*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.
ACTIVITY CHART Activity
Tripper
Haida
Cronje
Trapper
Teddy
BobSpecial
PAL
Muskoka
Prospector 15’ Prospector 16’ Prospector 17’ Prospector 18’
Moisie
Ocoee
Supernova
Recreation Sport Quiet Water Touring River Tripping Expedition Whitewater
CATEGORIES OF CANOES: RECREATION: Good all-round canoe for entry level or family paddlers. Safe, stable, comfortable.
RIVER TRIPPING: High-volume, rugged hauler able to carry large loads in flatwater and whitewater.
SPORT: Good for hunters, anglers and dog owners. Stable platform in an easy-to-paddle canoe.
EXPEDITION: Serious boats for long trips. High volume ends mean increased
QUIET WATER TOURING: Fast hull that paddles efficiently, turns easily and tracks well. Better suited to lakes and deep rivers.
WHITEWATER: Highly maneuverable, fast and robustly constructed. More rocker in keel and high volume ends to shed waves and keep you dry.
N O VA C R A F T. C O M
seaworthiness. Optional spray skirts keep you dry and warm.
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LIFETIME WARRANTY
Nova Sports Equipment Ltd. 471 Nightingale Avenue, London, Ontario, N5W 4C4 (519) 455-6252 • Fax: (519) 455-8162 Email: info@novacraft.com • www.novacraft.com
1-866-88 CANOE
We endeavor to produce high quality products that give years of dependable service. For the original owner, if any defects in material or workmanship 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 transporting the canoe to and from our factory.