Nova Craft Canoe Catalogue 2012

Spring 2012

Volume 4

MOVING FORWARD; INSPIRED BY TRADITION The months ahead are promising to be an exciting time for Nova Craft and for fans of our canoes! The big news is that we are rolling out two new 12’ models based on classic Chestnut Canoe Company designs: the Trapper and the Teddy.

These models will offer paddlers two new specialized designs which we hope will help realize our commitment to getting more folks out on the water with the best canoes for their specific needs.

Why are we resurrecting these classic models?

The original Chestnut Canoe Company, founded in 1904, was known for their classic cedar canvas canoes based on the designs of the native population. Their models were further improved with the input of paddlers looking for the ultimate craft to best suit their individual needs. Chestnut excelled at making specialized canoe designs that performed beautifully while still retaining the original look and feel of the aboriginal canoe. The Trapper and Teddy are perfect examples of this.

Chestnut closed its doors in 1979 and, as time goes by, original Chestnuts are becoming harder to find. Fortunately, we managed to locate an original cedar canvas Trapper that was initially purchased in 1952. We used this canoe as a model to make our contemporary versions of the Trapper and Teddy. The hulls for these two canoes are the same; it’s how they’re put together that distinguishes them and makes each appropriate for different paddlers and uses.

THE TRAPPER

THE TEDDY

Nova Craft‘s new Trapper is a solo canoe intended for recreational paddlers, anglers and hunters in need of a single seater that offers roominess and stability in a small package. It’s perfect for getting out there independently and enjoying time in the great outdoors. Whether you’re drifting for hours on a lazy river, working at landing some largemouth bass, or putting out a spread of hunting decoys, the Trapper is the right canoe for you.

Being small and light the Trapper is easy to manage getting on and off the car by yourself and is ideal for narrow portages in difficult terrain.

Our new Teddy is a tandem canoe for kids.

With the same hull as the Trapper, but with two seats, the Teddy is small and light making it perfectly suited for children’s use. The best way to ensure that kids have fun in the outdoors is to give them equipment suited to their size and strength. Empower your kids by giving them their own canoe that they can easily carry to the water and paddle themselves. Kids will find the Teddy fun and easy to paddle and parents will appreciate that it is stable and safe!

N O V A C R A F T. C O M 1-866-88 CANOE

We are very proud to be bringing back these two classic, Chestnut inspired canoe models.

They will be available through our dealer network early this year and we hope you get to stop by and give them a test paddle. When you do we know you will understand why it was worth bringing them back to the paddling community. We’ll see you, and your kids, out on the water!

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Spring 2012

CONTENTS 3

Potatoes and Canoeing

by Tim Miller

9

Recreational Series Canoes

4

Where’s the Gorp?

by Sandra H

10

Recreational, Solo & Cruiser Series Canoes National Canoe Day - June 26

5

Canadian Canoe Culture

by Kevin Callan

11

Canadians, Canoes and the History of the American Midwest Ralph Frese

6

Kid’s adapt to their environment quickly

by Rolf Kraiker

13

Materials, Accessories and Options, Glossary of Terms

7

New Canoes for 2012

14

Choosing the Right Canoe for You & Trim Systems

8

Prospector Series Canoes

15

Canoe Specifications

3 4 6

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-Lite 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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POTATOES AND CANOEING A few words from Tim Miller, President, Nova Craft Canoe I was talking with my wife, Theresa, about the food we eat a while back and she was mentioning an idea she had read that for best health you should try to eat only simple foods. When you are at the grocery store, as much as possible, you should only buy things with one ingredient. As an example, buy a potato (one ingredient) vs. a box of instant mashed potatoes with many ingredients some of which you probably can’t pronounce. I think it’s true the healthiest foods are the simplest but do you ever notice that much of the advertising for food products are geared toward products with a long list of ingredients and the last six or so sound a lot like chemistry class. As a society we seem to be addicted to ever more complex ingredients in just about everything we do.

I know that is what I like the most about canoeing and tripping. Getting it down to as few ingredients as possible. There is an aliveness to being on the water under your own power in a craft that has been passed down through time. All the complexities of daily life are distilled down to a simple pursuit with a pace that keeps time with our natural surroundings.

And those natural surroundings don’t have to be miles away, many times they are right in our own back yards. The river that runs through your town, the pond down the road or even the old marsh out behind the new shopping centre all hold the potential for simple refreshment. Even this year one of our customers recommended a creek near by that is a beautiful ribbon of water meandering

Tim Miller, President, Nova Craft Canoe

“There is an aliveness to being on the water under your own power in a craft that has been passed down through time.” under a canopy of mature Carolinian forest.

Theresa and I enjoyed a fine summer day of paddling close to home with some great wildlife sightings.

I have also found there have been a few special moments for me while canoeing that really blend

in. They have usually been on really calm water where all is reflected perfectly without a ripple.

The canoe is gliding through the water effortlessly and I can feel how all the water just stretches away from my awareness. Right then there is only ONE ingredient to the whole thing.

See you on the water and please, if you can, take some kids along.

UNDER THE CURRENT Nova Craft’s partnership with Twaron was a great success in 2011. Our combined efforts produced the Nova Craft Aramid Lite (Aramid synthetic fibers; trade names Twaron ®or Kevlar®) which is structurally strong, durable and light enough for our featherweight categories. The Aramid Lite is offered in most Nova Craft models.

The Prospector 16' in Aramid Lite, for example, weighs only 45 lbs while our new Trapper and Teddy models are just under the 30 lb mark.

Having been tested thoroughly by paddlers, the feedback we’ve received has been enormously positive regarding Aramid Lite’s lightweight and durable characteristics and most found that it exceeded their performance expectations.

With Nova Craft TV, available now on YouTube, we are providing the paddling community with educational videos. Now our customers have faster and easier access than ever to valuable product information. You can learn about our various models and materials or see our production processes and learn how to do basic repairs on your Nova Craft Canoe. We hope that through this new medium valuable product information will be made more accessible to the public and that our customers will gain a deeper understanding of the Nova Craft brand.

Nova Craft’s involvement in the community never stops; in 2011 we continued to strengthen our great partnership in the community with the Thames River Clean Up and continue to support The Canadian Canoe Museum through the promotion of National Canoe Day on June 26.

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We have continued to focus our efforts in community service on the next generation, the future of the outdoors industry. We are involved with Big City Mountaineers, an organization that is dedicated to bringing at risk youth into the wilderness. As our good friend Jeff Weidman and BCM Board President says “Our goal at BCM is to transform the lives of as many kids as we can through wilderness experiences.” (bigcitymountaineers.org) We have also invested in the future of bright students through the continued Fanshawe College fundraising campaign.

Paddlepass, a program run by PPA (Professional Paddlesport Association) members and supported

by Nova Craft, offers free paddling instruction and equipment to ninth grade students. The goal of the Paddlepass program is to offer teens an opportunity to participate in and benefit from the experience and enjoyment of being on the water and in the outdoors. We feel that if we can engage our youth in paddling and outdoor adventure at

this important stage of their life we will foster in them a love for these activities and experiences for years to come. (paddlepass.com) With our customized theme canoe designs, Nova Craft offers paddlers and corporations the chance for unique personal expression. With our unique laminate lay-up technology we are able to incorporate virtually any image you choose right into the hull of our composite canoes. This year we have produced many inspired custom designed canoes, featuring everything from company logos and family tartans to graphics inspired by favourite artists such as Jackson Pollock which we did to create the beautiful Nova Craft Staff Splash.

Through the custom theme canoe designs we continue to offer the opportunity to create one of-a-kind canoes that are authentic and unique just for you.

You can now follow the progression and innovation of Nova Craft all year round on You Tube, Facebook, Twitter and at novacraft.com.

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WHERE’S THE GORP? Sandra H I haven’t tripped hard in ages. My husband and I have taken short paddling excursions: an evening fishing loop from a hunt camp in the French; an afternoon tour of New Hamburg via the Nith; an unplanned return of a failed powerboat from the middle of a northern lake. But it’s been 20 years since I’ve done any serious outtripping.

Paddling is still with me after all this time. Not in a ‘romantic vision’ kind of way. More like a nostalgic, needling desire hedged by lazy uncertainty: What’s stopping me from tripping at least once per season? Will my husband make it through a 4-nighter? Does anyone use wannigans anymore?

We came close to getting out last summer. I even borrowed a book on northern Ontario canoe routes; however, our idea to try tripping together lost the race to the calendar. Other activities, like trips to cottages, hunt camps, and campgrounds, and chores like shed-painting and haying quickly

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filled up all of the spring , summer, and fall weekends.

“Escaping the boredom of staying in one place. Continuing your journey through nature.”

One weekend, as we horse-powered our way back to our comfortable cabin destination, I admired the simplicity of the canoe trippers edging along a Georgian Bay shoreline. I envied their closeness to the environment. As we raced through it, they stayed in it. And once landed for the night, they would mysteriously be gone by mid-morning.

That’s kind of the point of outtripping: gone by mid-morning. Escaping the boredom of staying in one place. Continuing your journey through nature. Getting away from all the little things you think you need, but that really only get in the way of your rise-and-shine. Heading out for another day of action, purpose, and elemental beauty.

I want to feel that again. For a few days, I want to roll with nothing but a canoe and the least amount of gear we can get away with. I want to melt into my surroundings and accept all offerings. I want to share quiet kilometres and unbelievable moments with my husband.

This year, “Who’ll do the chores?” will be swiftly followed by “Where’s the GORP?” as my husband and I embark upon our first hard-core canoe trip together. I’m calling up my experience.

I’m taking charge. And as he puts it, we’ll “keep gliding after we stop paddling.”

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CANADIAN CANOE CULTURE Kevin Callan, The Happy Camper I went on a kayak trip this past season.

That’s right. Mr. Canoehead went kayaking. My canoemates teased me to no end, of course.

They said I’d gone to the dark side, made friends with the devil. Using a kayak for the trip I went on made sense, however. The route was made up of a wide stretch of open water, a few swifts and no portages. It was a short week paddling down the Abitibi River in northern Ontario and the length of river was between two gigantic hydro dams, the same that gave the backdrop to that Wade Hemsworth classic “The Black Fly Song”.

I liked the trip. It was good to paddle such a historic river that far north. But it definitely didn’t sway me away from my desired vessel to get me out into wilderness areas - the canoe. I love the canoe. So much so, that less than a week after my Abitibi kayak trip I went on a canoe trip in the same region - but this time the route was made up of a narrower waterway, with lots of rapids, and lots of nasty portages.

It was good to be back to the familiar. I missed it. To me the canoe is the one thing that binds me irrevocably to the wilderness. I even find the motion of paddling the craft itself very methodic; the action of drifting across a calm lake or being pulled downriver is very Zen-like.

My passion for the canoe may have something

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to do with the fact that I’m Canadian as well. Even though canoeists owe a great deal to John MacGregor, the Scottish philanthropist who popularized canoeing as a recreational sport back

“To me the canoe is the one thing that binds me irrevocably to the wilderness.” in 1865 across Europe and the United States, I doubt few would argue that the Canadian identity itself lies with the canoe. After all, if Canadian film producers ever wanted to depict the opening of

Canada’s wilderness the way Hollywood characterized winning the Wild West, the hero wouldn’t be straddling a horse, but rather crouched down in a canoe, paddling off into the sunset. The packsack, paddle and portage are as much pioneer icons as the chuck wagon, boot spur and ten-gallon hat.

Maybe the closest this aspect of Canadian culture has come to being represented in film (the work of Bill Mason excluded) is with The Frantic’s Mr. Canoehead, a superhero who had his head inadvertently welded to his aluminum canoe by a stray lightning bolt.

To me, when I spot a car barreling down the highway with a canoe strapped to its roof, I don’t see a somewhat inexpensive recreational watercraft owned by some poor fool who can’t afford a speedboat; I see a way of life.

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KID’S ADAPT TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT QUICKLY Rolf Kraiker, Blazing Paddles When my wife and I found ourselves about to embark on starting a family, we never considered giving up canoeing to raise our youngsters although our friends and family had serious doubts about our sanity. In spite of our insistence that kids and canoes had been an affable pairing for countless generations, there seemed to be no convincing Grandma that a canoe would be a safe environment for her grandkids.

If we had reservations, the first outing with our first-born put them to rest within minutes. Our first child was born in early January, so we had to hold off on his first canoe outing until spring thaw, but one warm March weekend found us heading out before dawn to a nearby marsh. The sound of spring birds staking their territory and the gentle rocking of the canoe put our young son at ease, and to sleep, within moments.

Since that first trip, we've covered thousands of kilometers of deep wilderness with our two boys, all without incident. The truth of the matter is that kids adapt to their environment quickly, it’s really the parents that are the limiting factor to safely

taking children into the wild. Risk management is of great importance when young kids are involved; parents need to know what their children’s limits are and never exceed them. Finding quality outdoor gear for infants and toddlers was a real challenge when our boys were young but manufacturers have risen to the challenge and parents today can equip their children with gear that’s up to the task.

With a small investment in precaution, canoeing with kids is very safe...

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes a parent can make when including their youngster in outdoor pursuits is to expose their child to too abrupt a change in environment. We tried our best to expand our kids’ comfort zones by gently bringing elements they'd encounter on a canoe trip into their daily lives. For example, we'd put on their PFDs when it was bath time. We pitched a small tent on their beds to get them accustomed to sleeping in an enclosure. The kids would “portage” laundry baskets up and down the stairs and there was always a toy paddle at the ready anytime they wanted.

With a small investment in precaution, canoeing with kids is very safe, but more important is setting boundaries at campsites. We'd mark off an area around the tent by stringing rope between trees, delimiting the area where they could wander. When they were still unsure on their feet, we'd leave their PFDs on around camp to cushion any falls they might have on the uneven ground.

Wilderness outings formed the basis of some of the best quality family time we could ever have anticipated. The memories and experiences our boys had during those formative years have helped to form them into well balanced adults that they are today – we still manage to get complimented on how well they were raised from those who have recently met them. Now that our boys are young men and are living on their own, one of the greatest rewards they've given us is their sincere thanks for their time spent in the wild. While they took it for granted as youngsters, they now have a real appreciation for the wonderful experiences they had growing up.

Photo by Peter Mather

Photo by Rolf Kraiker

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New for 2012

SOLO SERIES Trapper 12’ “Originally designed for one man and his pack, the width and depth are such that it is often used for larger load. Its shortness is great advantage in navigating crooked streams and in portaging through heavy brush” “A prime favorite with muskrat hunters."

- Chestnut Canoe Catalogue, 1935 -

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.

• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical

RECREATIONAL SERIES Teddy 12’

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!

• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • 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 Bob Special 15’

PAL 16’

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.

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”.

• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical • avail. with or without shoe keel

• shallow arch • slight rocker with raised ends • symmetrical

ASYMMETRICAL 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 shares 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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RECREATIONAL

CRUISER SERIES

Muskoka 15’ 10”

Cronje (Chrone-yeh) 17’

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.

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.

• flat bottom • slight rocker • symmetrical • with keel

• shallow arch • fast entry lines • symmetrical • slight rocker

SOLO SERIES Supernova 14’ 10”

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.

NATIONAL CANOE DAY IS JUNE 26TH COME JOIN THE PARTY The next National Canoe Day is June 26 - mark your calendars now!

Over 40 events across Canada celebrated National Canoe Day in 2011, alongside thousands of individuals and their families who participated by going for a paddle or a portage, attended an event, made a canoethemed craft or worked on their canoes that day.

In 2007, the canoe was named one of the Seven Wonders of Canada via a CBC Radio feature in which over 1 million votes were cast. In celebration of this, the Canadian Canoe Museum founded National Canoe Day with the aim of increasing participation in paddlesports in Canada, engaging new paddlers and reaching across generational and cultural divides to introduce the canoe to those who haven't had the opportunity to experience this great national heritage. In the intervening years, National Canoe Day has grown to become countrywide event, with participants paddling across the country, from the midnight sun of the north to the urban rivers of the south.

National Canoe Day is also celebrated internationally by groups in the USA, the UK, France, and beyond.

• shallow arch • moderate rocker • symmetrical

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CANADIANS, CANOES AND THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MIDWEST. Ralph Frese, Chicagoland Canoe Base, Inc. Did you know that Canadians and their canoes played an important role in exploring and developing the American Midwest? These small boats proved to be ideal for moving explorers and adventurers into new territories by means of streams, rivers and lakes. Here are two short but important examples of how the canoe helped to shape the part of the United States that I call home.

Over three hundred years ago French explorer Rene Robert de La Salle led an expedition to determine if the rumoured river, called the Messesipi by Natives, was the key in reaching the Pacific Ocean. Using birchbark canoes, he found it led to the Gulf of Mexico, but the voyage was successful in another way. It resulted in the discovery of some of the richest land they had ever seen, the Illinois Country.

This area had vast tracts of fertile soil and enough game to support large villages of Native Americans. It was what the French referred to as prairie country and what is known today as part of the breadbasket of North America. So began the colonization of the Illinois Country by French Canadians. Today Illinois is still dotted

with French names that originated during this period of American history.

In 1787 a man by the name of Pierre Menard left Montreal with his brother in a birchbark canoe to seek their fortune in the Illinois

Country. Pierre eventually made a name for himself as a wealthy merchant and successful trader. When Illinois was admitted to the Union

as a state he was the popular choice for the first Lieutenant Governor, but was not allowed the position because it was learned he was Canadian. However, because of his popularity, the state’s constitution was changed to allow him to take the position. His historic home is now preserved by our state.

These are just two examples of how the Canadians and their canoes played a part in the exploration and development of the American Midwest. Canoe trails led to the Illinois Country in many ways, including through the Fox / Wisconsin portage, the Chicago portage, The St. Joseph and Kankakee River route and the Miami / Wabash River route. If you get a chance to explore these waterways yourself, take a moment to reflect on just how important they are from a historical perspective. Hopefully that appreciation will make your time on the water even more special.

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

N O VA C R A F T. C O M

Canoe

P16

P17

Length

15’6” 472 cm 84 lb 38 kg 35”

17’ 518 cm 92 lb 42 kg 36”

90 cm

91.5 cm

14.5” 35.5 cm 23” 58.5 cm 2” 5 cm 2” 5 cm 900 lb 409 kg

15” 38 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

1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8

C A N O E

Spring 2012

MATERIALS Unique Infusion System Our unique, hightech Infusion System, adapted from the aerospace industry, offers distinct advantages over traditional boat building systems:

Page 13

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 only 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 is the only boat builder using this unique process on every 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 (expedition grade) and Royalex Lite (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

ACCESSORIES & OPTIONS 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.

Seats:

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.

INFUSION: Process where materials are laid into mold and placed under pressure using vacuum.

Next resin is introduced and literally sucked through the laminate. This produces a product ABS: Family of thermoplastics or terpolymers based with a very high material-to-resin ratio. on Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene (ABS), ARAMID: (Kevlar®/Twaron®) Aramid fibres that have combined by a variety of methods. Possesses good twice the stiffness of fibreglass, 25% higher tensile impact strength, heat resistance, low temperature. strength and 1/3 less weight.

CAP: Chemically Activated Polyester woven cloth LAY UP: Process of placing layers of cloth in the mold. often used in combination with Aramid and woven fibreglass.

MAT: Fibrous material consisting of chopped or swirled filaments with a binder. Usually heavier CLOTH: Conventionally woven fibre material. and more brittle than cloth.

GELCOAT: Colour pigmented polyester resin. First RESIN: Any polymer used to bond layers of cloth resin applied to mold. together.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

GUNWALE: Component that finishes the edge of canoe. Typically ABS, Anodized Aluminum or Ash.

N O VA C R A F T. C O M

ROYALEX, ROYALEX LITE: A vulcanized plastic sheet combining layers of vinyl, ABS, and a foam core.

Makes stiff, durable canoes which have very high

Yokes:

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.

impact resistance. Unsurpassed for expedition and whitewater use.

R-84: Is a thinner and lighter alloy used on ABS substrate. Not used on any Nova Craft Canoe models.

SHOE KEEL: A wide, flat keel used on river canoes.

SPECTRA: Polyethylene that has been drawn into a filament as fine as a spider web and then woven to make cloth. A little lighter than Aramid but it’s greatest attribute is it’s incredible impact resistance. Best laminated under high vacuum to achieve a void free laminate.

TRIM: Gunwales, seats, end decks, yoke, thwart and hardware.

VINYLESTERS: Developed to provide the ease of handling of polyester resin combined with the impact resistance and toughness of epoxy.

1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8

C A N O E

Page 14

Spring 2012

CANOE COLOURS* CHOOSING THE RIGHT CANOE Royalex & Royalex Lite: 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

*Colors may not be exactly as shown.

Visit your dealer for color 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

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 Lite hulls.

Reinforced PVC vinyl gunwales with oversized rotomolded decks are standard with our Royalex Prospector 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 Kneeling Thwart Aramid Skid Plates Installed Additional Centre Seat

Standard Trim

Knee Pads Custom Colour Expedition Spray Deck Spray Deck Installation

1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8

C A N O E

Wood Trim

Spring 2012

Page 15

Length M Fibreglass A T Aramid E R I Aramid A Lite L

Spectra W E Blue Steel I G Royalex H Lite T S Royalex *

Beam D E P T H R O C K E R

Center Bow Bow Stern Capacity

R Q

R Q

R Q

PROSPECTOR

SOLO

Pr os pe cto r1 5’ == Pr os pe cto r1 6’ == Pr os pe cto r1 7’ Pr os pe cto r1 8’ Tra pp er Su pe rn ov a

R Q

Ha ida

R S Q

CRUISER Tri pp er

Bo bS pe cia l PA L

==

Activity

Mu sk

Te dd y

ok a

RECREATIONAL

Cr on je

SPECS

R S Q R Q E R T W R T W T E W T E W R S Q

T W

12’

15’ 10”

15’

16’

16’

17’

17’

15’

16’

17’

18’

12’

14’10”

366 cm

460 cm

457 cm

488 cm

488 cm

518 cm

518 cm

457 cm

488 cm

518 cm

548 cm

366 cm

452 cm

47 lb

68 lbX

60 lbX

-

64 lbX

68 lbX

-

-

72 lbX

72 lbX

-

47 lb

-

21 kg

31 kg

27 kg

-

29 kg

31 kg

-

-

33 kg

33 kg

-

21 kg

-

38 lb

56 lbX

50 lb

54 lb

54 lbX

60 lbX

54 lb

-

54 lb

62 lb

-

38 lb

-

17 kg

25 kg

23 kg

24 kg

24 kg

27 kg

24 kg

-

24 kg

28 kg

-

17 kg

-

29 lb

46 lb

X

40 lb

44 lb

X

46 lb

49 lb

X

47 lb

-

45 lb

48 lb

-

29 lb

-

13 kg

21 kg

18 kg

20 kg

21 kg

22 kg

21 kg

-

21 kg

22 kg

-

13 kg

-

34 lb

50 lbX

45 lb

49 lb

50 lbX

56 lbX

50 lb

-

52 lb

58 lb

-

34 lb

48 lb

15 kg

23 kg

20 kg

22 kg

22 kg

25 kg

22 kg

-

23 kg

26 kg

-

15 kg

22 kg

30 lb

46 lbX

42 lb

46 lb

46 lbX

50 lbX

47 lb

-

48 lb

52 lb

-

30 lb

-

14 kg

21 kg

19 kg

21 kg

21 kg

22 kg

21 kg

-

21 kg

23 kg

-

14 kg

-

39 lb

-

58 lb

58 lb

60 lb

64 lb

59 lb

60 lb

64 lb

68 lb

70 lb

39 lb

-

18 kg

-

26 kg

26 kg

27 kg

29 kg

27 kg

27 kg

29 kg

31 kg

32 kg

18 kg

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

70 lb

74 lb

80 lb

84 lb

-

58 lb

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

32 kg

34 kg

36 kg

38 kg

-

26 kg

34”

35”

35”

34”

35”

36”

35”

36”

36”

36”

36”

34”

32”

86 cm

90 cm

90 cm

86 cm

90 cm

91.5 cm

90 cm

91.5 cm

91.5 cm

91.5 cm

91.5 cm

86 cm

81 cm

13”

13”

13”

13”

14”

14”

13”

15”

15”

15”

15”

13”

15”

33 cm

33 cm

33 cm

33 cm

35.5 cm

35.5 cm

33 cm

38 cm

38 cm

38 cm

38 cm

33 cm

38 cm

18”

21”

21”

20”

22”

22”

21”

23”

23”

23”

23”

18”

23”

46 cm

53.5 cm

53.5 cm

51 cm

56 cm

56 cm

53.5 cm

58.5 cm

58.5cm

58.5cm

58.5cm

46 cm

58.5cm

-

1.5”

-

-

-

-

-

2”

2”

2”

2”

-

2.5”

-

3.8 cm

-

-

-

-

-

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

-

6.5 cm

-

1.5”

-

-

-

-

-

2”

2”

2”

2”

-

2.5”

-

3.8 cm

-

-

-

-

-

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

5 cm

-

6.5 cm

490 lb

900 lb

800 lb

800 lb

1000 lb

1200 lb

1000 lb

850 lb

1000 lb

1200 lb

1400 lb

490 lb

850 lb

223 kg

410 kg

360 kg

360 kg

454 kg

544 kg

454 kg

385 kg

454 kg

544 kg

636 kg

223 kg

385 kg

*Actual weights are based on year-long production averages and may vary.

X

==

Shoe keel boats only

No keel + 2-3 lbs.

ACTIVITY CHART Activity

Teddy

Muskoka

Bob Special

PAL

Tripper

Haida

Cronje

Prospector 15’ Prospector 16’ Prospector 17’ Prospector 18’

Trapper

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.

1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8

C A N O E

Spring 2012

Page 16

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.