Nova Craft Canoe - Waterlines 2013

paddlers with a taste for rapids. Extremely responsive under the toughest conditions, it’s perfect for any whitewater setting. It’s wide, deephull and raked ends will keep you dry even whencarrying a heavy load of gear. The Moisie comesstandard with vinyl gunwales and weighs 64lbs inRoyalex and 77lbs in Royalex Plus.

The Ocoee is based on a very popular OC1 design by Frankie Hubbard. It is one of the mostsought after solo whitewater playboats ever produced. The Ocoee’s flexibility is remarkable for

Spring 2013 Volume 5

N O V A C R A F T . C O M1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

Thank you for your interest in Nova Craft Canoe!As we move into our 43rd year of canoe buildingwe want to acknowledge people like you whosupport paddlesports simply by getting out thereand doing it. You have helped take us from humblebeginnings in 1970 as a garage based specialtycanoe builder to one of the most respected brandsavailable. Our goal is to continue to provide paddlers with quality canoes covering an increasingly wider variety of applications. Thatsaid, the year ahead is shaping up to be an exciting time of broadening our horizons and offering you more choices from the Nova Craftmenu!

We’re thrilled to be offering paddlers a variety of new canoe models for 2013! Whitewater enthusiasts will be happy to know that the firsttwo canoes out of the gate are the Moisie 16’6”tandem and Ocoee 11’3” solo. We’ll talk moreabout these below. Very soon to follow will be two offerings for the flatwater crowd; the Falcon16’ 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 designsfor paddlers that are looking for flatwater canoeswith 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 thoughthese canoes are cruisers, the Falcon remains maneuverable due to its slight rocker. The Eagle’shigh-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 willaccommodate every flatwater paddler, from beginner to expert. They will be available in early spring.

The Moisiewas inspired by an original SteveScarborough design. It is a tandem whitewatertripping canoe that will appeal to seasoned

BROADENING HORIZONS AHEAD

creeking and general river running and it isan outstanding OC1 for slalom. With practicethe Ocoee is definitely a canoe that anywhitewater enthusiast can savour. TheOcoee comes standard with vinyl gunwalesand weighs 38lbs in Royalex and 44lbs inRoyalex Plus.

Whether it’s one of our new models orone of our popular classics, we hope youfind your next canoe in the pages that follow.

Page 2 Spring 2013

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 youstart 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 adventurewith your best friend, to a long expedition with a group of fellowpaddlers.

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 greatflatwater canoe will not be the best in big river rapids. Converselya great whitewater canoe will not be the best choice for crossinglakes. A flatwater canoe should be more straight keeled to assist in tracking. It should also be shallower to reduce the effects ofwind, be narrower and have finer entry lines for speed. A goodwhitewater canoe needs to have some rocker to facilitate quickturns. They will also be deeper and will usually have fuller endsfor a drier ride. If you are looking to paddle on both flatwater andwhitewater 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 yougoing 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 alarger volume to hold all your food, tents, and packs for your entiretime in the interior.

3. How many people will be using the canoe at one time?You need to make sure there is enough room in the canoe foreveryone. 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 theweight 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 thewater whereas plastic boats (Royalex, Royalex Plus and SP3) aretougher and are more appropriate where severe impacts mayoccur. Whitewater canoes will need to be made of more durablematerials to cope with impacts. Flatwater canoes can be made oflighter materials for portaging from lake to lake.

6. What is your budget?As a general rule, lighter canoes are more expensive. While youmay have decided that you need a high end boat, the practicalmatter of expense must be considered.

Also see page 14.

For a better understanding of boating terms and characteristics,please visit novacraft.com/canoepurchase.htm

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

4

5 6

14

CONTENTS3

4

5

6

7

8

Why I’m Happy we Make Canoesby Tim Miller

Family Time in Algonquinby Kevin Callan

New WhitewaterCanoes

Prospector Series Canoes

Beyond the Comfort Zoneby Gail Shields

Paddle Smart, Not Hardby Rolf Kraiker

9

10

11

13

14

15

Recreational Series Canoes

Cruiser SeriesCanoes

Choosing the Right Canoe for You & Trim Systems

Canoe Specifications

Recreational, Whitewater &Outfitter Series Canoes

Materials, Accessories & Options, Glossary of Terms

Spring 2013 Page 3


The Frankie Hubbard AwardIn honor of a respected and well-renowned

canoe designer, Nova Craft Canoe is introducingthe annual Frankie Hubbard Award. It will be announced on May 4th of each year and will recognize anyone between the ages of 14 to 21who stands out within the paddling community.Nova Craft dealers, outfitters, ambassadors and

partners can submit their nominations by April15th, 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 onFacebook for more information.

Royalex and Royalex PlusWe have decided to change the names of our

two ABS materials. What was known as RoyalexLite will now be referred to as Royalex, and whatwe used to call Royalex will now be called RoyalexPlus. This change was made so our products canbe compared more easily to industry standards. Wefeel that these changes will benefit our customersin that our Royalex is now similar in its baseweight to the Royalex of our competitors, which allows for easier brand comparisons. In addition,we feel that the name Royalex Plus better reflectsthe extra strength characteristics of our rugged, expedition grade ABS material. Our Royalex canoeswill be trimmed standard with aluminum gunwales (also available with vinyl gunwales atno extra cost). Royalex Plus canoes will be trimmedwith vinyl gunwales. For a list of canoes availablein Royalex and Royalex Plus, please refer to page15.

Ash Gunnel UpgradeMany of the improvements to our canoes come

as a direct result of responding to the requests ofour customers. Recently it was brought to our attention that while our ash trim is a beautiful example of fine wood craftsmanship, people didn’twant to see the fasteners on the outside of thecanoe. So this year our ash gunnel trim system hasbeen upgraded to reflect a more classical look. Themajority of the wood screws are now on the innergunnel. The screws that are required to be on theouter gunnel, such as the ones that secure the enddecks, are now capped. The result is a very clean,refined look on the outer gunnel. See the pictureon page 14.

WHY I’M HAPPY WE MAKE CANOESTim Miller, President, Nova Craft Canoe

UNDER THE CURRENT

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.

Page 4 Spring 2013


process of physical survival. But everyone had astory behind why they came.

It was the challenge of the other guides andmyself to rise and meet their expectations andkeep them all safe. As the trip unfolded, the unityand teamwork of these women continued toevolve in many different ways, whether it washelping to portage canoes, cook a meal or even putup a tent in the wind. It was my own challenge tohave a bout of pneumonia on the trip and I wasfortunate enough to have the loving hands of adoctor and physiotherapist help me through without divulging it to the rest of the ladies.

Having done the river several times I was ableto see things through their eyes when waveslooked huge or the ferry looked insurmountable.There were endless doubts. Do I have to go aloneinto the bush to do my business? What if I end upin the water? Can I carry my gear and canoe overthe portage?

I shed tears and laughed myself silly reading thecommon trip journal at night in my tent. It was fullof 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 loudsinging of “ I am cow” by the Arrogant Worms became the theme song, much to the detriment ofthose who wanted to see wild life. Oh, how theyhad changed and adapted.

I had the added challenge of working with myboss, who I admired and respected. We had different ways of doing our job but that worked toour advantage. At the end of the trip, I was greatlymoved that she wanted to guide with me again.

Canoeing in such remote places does wonderfulthings to one’s confidence and esteem. All thewomen came out of the towering last canyon ofthe Mackenzie Mountains empowered by the experience – including this humbled and gratefulriver guide.

“Don’t let go of me- please don’t let goof me!” These beseeching wordshave stuck with mesince a 65-year-oldwoman swam withme in 18” of waterduring a warm up fora Nahanni river trip.

This woman isprobably the bravest

person I have ever had on any trip I’ve guided.She was one of 10 women on a trip that was tochallenge each of them in many different ways.

Why were they going to an environment thatwas so foreign to most of them? One hadn’t evenslept in a tent before!

But each of them did choose to put themselvesout there.

The warm-up weekend gave them a glimpseinto the camping and paddling skills though nothing could prepare them for the unparalleledbeauty and scale of the wonders of the Nahanni.

One woman came to put closure on the death ofa beloved husband who had promised her a Nahanni trip, another, to once again be on theriver that had helped her after her first bout withbreast cancer.

The 65 year old woman was there as a gift fromher sister. Her challenge became a two-week

BEYOND THE COMFORT ZONEGail Shields, Seasonal Pursuits

It was the challenge of the other guides and I to rise andmeet their expectations and

keep them all safe.

tracks when she saw it. “It’s big! Bigger than Ithought” she muttered back, and then proceededto motion me to go first on the trail.

Pictures of the moose were taken by my

daughter, my wife and myself. I swear the mooseposed for them. It also took its sweet time movingout 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 ourneighbors, which became a problem when CBCRadio 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 wayacross Algonquin. Michael said the squawking birdsadded to the “live” quality of the show. I just foundthem annoying. So did Kyla. She was interviewed byMichael as well, and she did a great job rambling onabout how she felt about being on an extendedcanoe trip with her parents. The best part of the interview was when Michael questioned Kyla’s if shecould 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’reon your own”.

I love time spent in the wilderness with mydaughter. She teaches me so much.

Spring 2013 Page 5

Our family canoetrip this past Summerwas a solid one.Twelve days of paddling and portaging across Ontario’s AlgonquinProvincial Park.

My time with myseven year olddaughter was wellspent. 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. Italways has been. Since she was out of diapers I’vemade sure Kyla was part of the trip rather thensomeone tagging along on it. She carries her ownpack on the portage - even though it only containsa collection of Barbie’s and her favorite books. Shehas chores to do around camp as well, like helpingmom put the tent up, fetch water or gather fire-wood. She even paddles some of the time, but notall the time. Our relationship on a canoe trip issomewhere between being a camp councilor andan overenthusiastic and ever watchful parent; andit seems to work.

It was on the portage leading into Little TroutLake at the end of day three Kyla had her firstmoose encounter. I was just ahead of her on thetrail, balancing the family over-sized canoe overmy shoulders, when I caught a glimpse of fourdangly legs a few meters off the overturned bow. It was a young bull, one that had definitely seenhumans before. I unloaded the canoe and thenjogged back on the trail a bit, catching up withKyla and whispered “Your moose is waiting for youjust ahead.” She did a slight scurry past me tocatch a glimpse, and then stopped dead in her

FAMILY TIME IN ALGONQUINKevin Callan, The Happy Camper


“Your moose is waiting for you just ahead.”

“It’s big! Bigger than I thought”

Page 6 Spring 2013


paddling were wasting a lot of energy “flailing” withtheir paddles. The timing of their strokes, the posi-tion of the canoe, the angle to the current, the tilt ofthe hull all were working against them. What struckme most watching the students was that if they'd

only calm down and look ahead at what's coming,they'd be putting more effort into one stroke thatwas effective instead of doing many strokes thatwere simply wasted effort.

Seeing the difference in effort required when Iwatched myself paddle the same section of rapidsas my students, it was clear that my approach wasmore like a game of chess, I was planning mymoves well in advance of the water I was paddling.It takes practice to get past simply responding to thewaves you're in, instead of looking ahead to figure

out what you need to do to get ready for the next setof waves, but that's a necessary skill to become aneffective 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 thewind and sail upwind, a paddler can use theircanoe to work their way upstream or ease the journey downstream, but that takes an understand-ing of how to use the shape of the canoe to directthe energy of the river. What might take 15 or morefrantic strokes with the paddle to accomplish couldoften be done with one well placed paddle strokeas long as the set up is done correctly.

The key to becoming an efficient paddler inwhitewater is bear in mind the mantra... “paddlesmart, not hard”. If a paddler can imagine theircanoe hull acting on the current in much the sameway a sail does in the wind, it's possible to tap intothe force of the river to do the bulk of the work innegotiating rapids. That's a skill that can be developed on your own, but it generally happensmuch faster with a push start with some good instruction.

When you'restanding on shorelooking at a set ofrapids, adrenalineflowing as you'rethinking about therush you'll experienceas you hit the drop -its hard to equatethat with a game ofchess, but in truththere's as much of a

mental challenge as a physical one to be good atpaddling 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 alot more time paddling on the river than she had, Istill had lots of energy left while she was utterlyexhausted. That observation made me wonder. I'dbeen using video equipment to film students sothat 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

PADDLE SMART, NOT HARDRolf Kraiker, Blazing Paddles

The key to becoming an efficient paddler in whitewater is bear in mind the mantra...“paddle smart, not hard”.

Spring 2013 Page 7


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 trippingcanoe for modern day explorers who want to tackle whitewater with bigwaves and deep holes. The symmetrical shape, deep hull, large volume endsand 4” of rocker makes for lots of manoeuvrability and a dry ride in the bigstuff. At 34” wide the Moisie still has enough speed on the flat sections to getyou to the next set of rapids with ease. The Moise has plenty of carrying capacity for extended river expeditions. Surfing, sideslipping and ferrying inand out of rapids are all handled with ease.

Whether you're just out to enjoy a day of play in whitewater or you'reabout to head out on a month long expedition, the Moisie is an amazingcanoe 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 riverrunning. It is a very predictable canoe yet is still able to accomplish dynamicand aggressive moves in the most challenging whitewater. Even though it isforgiving enough to accommodate beginners, it is an outstanding OC1 forslalom 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 thepower of the river making for tighter turns that let you snap it in and out ofeddies with ease. The hull has a compound tumblehome on the sides thatgives it remarkable secondary stability compared to other open playboatcanoe designs. The pronounced rocker and flat bottom means the boat holdsits momentum and angle, carves effortlessly, loves to surf and runs even bigwaves with unmatched dryness.

Available in Royalex and Royalex Plus.

• flat bottom• pronounced rocker• symmetrical

* Royalex Plus only available in Yellow

Page 8 Spring 2013


PROSPECTOR SERIESProspector 15’

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical

The Prospector 15 is a scaled-down version of our larger Prospectorsthat'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 butdon't need the extra volume. Its extra responsiveness also makes the P15a fun tandem playboat.

Prospector 17’

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

If you want a canoe that will handle a month's worth of supplies tohead out on a wilderness adventure, this is the canoe for you. In theProspector 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 materialsand classic Prospector lines make the P17 the ultimate wilderness extended tripping canoe.

Prospector 16’

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 ofour way to continue the tradition so future generations of paddlers canenjoy this icon of Canadian history.

The Workhorse of the Canadian north, our Prospector feels most athome loaded with gear on a remote wilderness lake or river. While it isbest suited for river tripping, it remains versatile enough to be a good all round canoe. With experience, the self-righting aspects of the shallowarch hull will become apparent and confidence levels will soar. What’smore, it provides a very dry ride in big waves and whitewater. It is simplythe best all round wilderness tripping canoe available.

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

Prospector 18’


The cargo capacity of the Prospector 18 model can only be described asmassive. The Prospector lines produce a canoe that feels deceptively lightand responsive, but there's tons of space to pack in a load of supplies forany 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 expeditionstyle adventures or a large family wanting to travel in one canoe.

Spring 2013 Page 9


RECREATIONAL SERIESTeddy 12’

This original Chestnut Canoe Company design with Nova Craft innovationoffers a craft that is perfect for children. Kids will love to be able to take it outon their own and enjoy spending time on the water in a canoe that they canmanage easily. Outfitting your children with the right equipment is as essential to water safety as supervision. Ensure that the kids will be safe onthe water with this stable and easy-to-use canoe. The Teddy is all aboutcomfort with safety in mind for the kids. It will carry them and all the gearthey'll need for a small journey as it requires minimal effort to keep it glidingon the water. The featherweight of this craft also allows them to move it inand out of the water with ease.

The Teddy will allow kids to have fun in their exploration of the outdoorswithout the frustration of complicated, technical and never-ending instruction. Keep quiet and watch them learn!

• shallow arch• slight rocker with raised ends

• symmetrical

Bob Special 15’

The Chestnut Canoe Company responded to the need for a lightweightcanoe well suited to solo tripping and casual tandem paddling by introducing the versatile Bob Special. While the canoe was very stabledue to its larger than normal width, the hull shape was optimized for performance resulting in a canoe that was remarkably fast. Our version isbased on the Chestnut original with some improvements to increasespeed and sea worthiness.

It is ideally suited as a tandem day-tripper yet large enough for aweekend canoe trip. It really shines when paddled solo by a competentpaddler. The Bob has a unique blend of characteristics that produce acanoe novice paddlers can enjoy yet experts can savour.


• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

PAL 16’

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 theoriginal 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 flatwatertrips 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”.


• symmetrical

Muskoka 15’ 10”

The Muskoka is a traditional canoe designed to provide comfort andsafety for anyone looking for a canoe suitable for light recreational use.Easy weekend trips or poking around the lakes and rivers near a cottageare where this canoe will excell. The Muskoka has enough carrying capacity for a young family, yet it provides enough stability to make anouting with kids and dogs enjoyable. The traditional lines of this canoemake 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.

• flat bottom• slight rocker• symmetrical • with keel

Page 10 Spring 2013


RECREATIONALSupernova 14’ 10”Solo


WHITEWATER

The Supernova was designed as the ideal solution for the paddler who loves to do solo wilderness river trips. While the Supernova hullcharacteristics do what you'd expect from a white water boat – like keepyou dry and effortlessly surf a wave – where you really appreciate thecanoe is the flat water sections in between the frothy stuff.

The Supernova would be most appreciated by experienced paddlerswho enjoy messing around in rapids. Even though it comes to life in therough stuff, it retains enough of a quiet nature that it won't feel out ofplace for a casual paddle on the local pond. In the hands of a competentpaddler the Supernova is an excellent dance partner.

Trapper 12’Solo


• symmetrical

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 besmall enough to get through the then nonexistent portage trails at the sametime. To meet these unique needs, The Chestnut Canoe Company broughtsomething efficient yet maneuverable into production.

For the modern canoeist, both the primary and secondary stability of TheTrapper are reassuring, though its stability does not sacrifice its speed. It haslots 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 lightcraft for portaging into small productive lakes.

OUTFITTER SERIES SP3

The Outfitter models have the same performance characteristics as our famous Prospectormodels, 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 toowners who plan to subject them to hard use with little maintenance. While the Outfitters areour 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 rentalshops 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 thatshould last a lifetime.


Prospector 16’ and 17’

Length

Beam

Center

Bow

Bow

Stern

Capacity

DEPTH

ROCKER

15’6” 17’472 cm 518 cm

40 kg 43 kg88 lb 95 lb

35” 36”90 cm 91.5 cm14.5” 14.5”36 cm 36 cm

23” 23”58.5 cm 58.5 cm

2”

2” 2”

2”5 cm

5 cm 5 cm

5 cm

900 lb 1200 lb409 kg 544 kg

Weight

Canoe

Specifications

P16 P17Shown is Prospector 16’

Spring 2013 Page 11


Tripper 16’

• shallow arch• straight keel with raised ends

• asymmetrical

The classic lines of this canoe hide the modern innovations incorporated into the hull design. While it still looks like a traditionalcanoe 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. Beginnerswill find the stability reassuring and as paddlers become more advancedthey will appreciate the faster hull and easy glide.

Haida 17’

• flat bottom• straight keel with raised ends

• asymmetrical

The Haida is the "big brother" of our Tripper model. It's asymmetrical andshare all the same handling characteristics of the 16 foot canoe but it's a bitwider and a bit longer. That gives it extra carrying capacity without changingspeed or handling. The added roominess and stability means it is an idealcanoe 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 lastinga couple of weeks.

The Haida is novice friendly yet still has enough performance to appeal toexperienced paddlers. Both the beginner and the expert will enjoy the Haidaeither for relaxation, like fishing or the adventures of a wilderness trip.

Cronje (Chrone-yeh) 17’

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

CRUISER SERIES

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 speedand the canoe handles well both with a load and empty. Its lower profilemeans 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 thefamed Boundary Waters or Algonquin Park.

My sincere appreciation to Nova Craft Canoe, for making such a wonderful product. I own a Pal canoe, in Spectra, with ash gunnels andtwo tone color scheme - olive over a sand bottom. It has been in rockytwisty creeks, to big wind swept water. It seems every trip is fraught withstrong 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 BramlettDodgeville, WI

I paddle the Cronje on patrol over Leigh Lake which is a three by threemile lake in the back country at the mouth of two steep canyons. Whenmy wife (also a ranger) and I do patrols, we use the Cronje. It sheds thewind better than any tandem canoe I have used, and tracks nicely withthe speed sufficient to get our work done in a timely fashion. Sometimeswe have to be somewhere fast and the Cronje gets that done better thanany other canoe we have used. A very nice workhorse lake canoe withnice 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 thevarious campers in back country sites that we patrol by water. Just oneCronje getting there safely, on time and with style.

Thanks for your creativity and commitment to your craft.

Peter PhilipsJenny Lake Ranger StationGrand Tetons National Park

Lighter, stronger with higher enduranceFrom 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 a� ord 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 30012800-451-6586

[email protected]

Spring 2013 Page 13

Fiberglass is a very affordable composite materialwith a proven track record of durability. Our fiber-glass hulls are among the lightest and most ruggedon 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.

Aramid These hulls are infused with high impact vinylester resin, sandwiched with fiberglass cloth between an outer layer of Cap(Chemically Activated Polyester) cloth and an inner layer of Aramid.

Aramid Lite The Aramid Lite is proven tohave considerable longevity, increased structuralstrength and is lighter than our traditional Aramidmaterial. The hull components are 100% Aramidcloth and a premium vinylester resin that is engineered for maximum elongation. The AramidLite remains unmatched in its weight class in termsof durability and will outlast the competition at areasonable price.

Aramid/Spectra We combine Aramid and Spectrawith a high impact-resistant vinylester resin in theseinfused hulls for expedition quality, lightweight canoes that resist tearing and punctures far betterthan an all Aramid canoe.

Blue Steel Nova Craft’s exclusiveBLUE STEEL is an advanced Aramid Carbon material combined with Spectra and applied

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 modelfor extra hull strength and stiffness while keepingthe weight down. These canoes are great for shallow rivers and whitewater and stand up underthe most rugged conditions. The major advantage to ABS canoes is their survivability in situationswhere an accident might leave a less robust canoeunusable. When you’re on a remote wilderness tripand you need to rely on your boat to bring you back,ABS is still the most popular choice.

Unique Infusion System Our unique, high-tech Infusion System, adapted from the aerospace industry, offers distinct advantages over traditionalboat building systems:

• Eliminates human error

• Drastically reduces the number ofblemishes and imperfections

• 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 processon 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 toexacting 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.

We could use less expensive materials, but whywould we? Our philosophy has always been togive 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 onthem for the better part of 15 years, you might as well be comfortable. Our exclusive nylon lacedseats are beautiful to look at, tough as nails andbest 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.

Yokes: Portaging your canoe shouldn’t be a pain in the neck. Our deluxe sculpted ash yokes fitcomfortably 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 TERMSABS: Family of thermoplastics or terpolymers basedon Acrylonitrile, Butadiene and Styrene (ABS),combined by a variety of methods. Possesses goodimpact strength, heat resistance, low temperature.

ARAMID: (Kevlar®/Twaron®) Aramid fibres that havetwice the stiffness of fibreglass, 25% higher tensile strength and 1/3 less weight.

CAP: Chemically Activated Polyester woven clothoften used in combination with Aramid and wovenfibreglass.

CLOTH: Conventionally woven fibre material.

GELCOAT: Colour pigmented polyester resin. Firstresin applied to mold.

MATERIALS

SEATS & YOKES

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

INFUSION: Process where materials are laid into mold and placed under pressure using vacuum. Next resin is introduced to flow through the laminate. This produces a product with a very highmaterial-to-resin ratio.

LAY UP: Process of placing layers of cloth in the mold.

MAT: Fibrous material consisting of chopped orswirled filaments with a binder. Usually heavier and more brittle than cloth.

RESIN: Any polymer used to bond layers of cloth together.

ROYALEX PLUS, ROYALEX: A vulcanized plastic sheet combining layers of vinyl, ABS, and a foam core.Makes stiff, durable canoes which have very highimpact resistance. Unsurpassed for expedition andwhitewater use.

R-84: Is a thinner and lighter alloy used on ABSsubstrate. 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 afilament as fine as a spider web and then wovento make cloth. A little lighter than Aramid but it’sgreatest attribute is it’s incredible impact resist-ance. Best laminated under high vacuum toachieve a void free laminate.

TRIM: Gunwales, seats, end decks, yoke, thwartand hardware.

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


TRIM SYSTEMSStandard Trim: Low maintenance trim featuresaircraft-grade black anodized aluminum gunwaleswith aluminum reinforced ABS end decks, standard on laminate & Royalex hulls. Reinforced PVC vinyl gunwales with oversized rotomolded decks are standard with our RoyalexPlus models. Nylon laced ash seats, ash thwart,carrying handles and a balanced carrying yokecomplete the package.

Wood Trim: We use only straight grained whiteash gunwales fastened with stainless steelscrews. Ash grained seats, ash thwarts, customcut decks, contoured carrying handles and a handrubbed oil finish complete the look.

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 lasta lifetime. That’s why we’ve made it easy for youto choose by following these three easy steps:

1 Read the ACTIVITY CHART on page 15

2 Match your selected activities with our models throughout the catalogue (what should you know before you buy a canoe, see page 2)

3 Refer to the SPECIFICATIONS chart on page 15 to choose your construction materials. Options and trims can be found below.

Options: White Ash Gunwales, Oil Finish

Ash Web Seat

Kneeling Thwart

Aramid Skid Plates Installed

Additional Centre Seat

Knee Pads

Custom Colour

Expedition Spray Deck

Spray Deck Installation

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CANOEFOR YOU

Royalex & Royalex Plus:

Red Green Burgundy

Fibreglass, Aramid, Aramid Lite, Spectra, BlueSteel:

Red Green Sand

Sunray Blue SteelBlue Steel

Natural

DesertWhite Ox Blood Olive Green

CANOE COLOURS*

*Colours may not be exactly as shown.Visit your dealer for colour samples.

Standard Trim

Wood Trim

Page 14 Spring 2013


Photo by Kevin Callan

ACTIVITY CHART

RecreationSport

Quiet Water TouringRiver Tripping ExpeditionWhitewater

Activity Tripper Haida Cronje Trapper Teddy BobSpecial PAL Muskoka Prospector 15’ Prospector 16’ Prospector 17’ Prospector 18’ Moisie Ocoee Supernova

Spring 2013 Page 15

WHITEWATER: Highly maneuverable, fast and robustly constructed. Morerocker in keel and high volume ends to shed waves and keep you dry.

RECREATION: Good all-round canoe for entry level or family paddlers. Safe, stable, comfortable.

SPORT: Good for hunters, anglers and dog owners. Stable platform in an easy-to-paddle canoe.

QUIET WATER TOURING: Fast hull that paddles efficiently, turnseasily and tracks well. Better suited to lakes and deep rivers.

RIVER TRIPPING: High-volume, rugged hauler able to carry large loads inflatwater and whitewater.

EXPEDITION: Serious boats for long trips. High volume ends mean increasedseaworthiness. Optional spray skirts keep you dry and warm.

*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.


CATEGORIES OF CANOES:

SPECS

Activity

Length

Aramid

Aramid Lite

Spectra

Blue Steel

Royalex

SP3

Beam

Center

Bow

Stern

Bow

Capacity

CRUISER

Tripper t

Haida t

Cronje

RECREATIONAL

Trapper Solo

Teddy Kids

Bob Special tt

PAL

Muskoka t

PROSPECTOR

Prospector 15’

Prospector 16’tt

Prospector 17’tt

Prospector 18’

WHITEWATER

New Moisie

New Ocoee Solo

Supernova Solo

16’ 64 lb 54 lb 46 lb 50 lb 46 lb 60 lb ~ ~ 35” 14” 22” ~ ~ 1000 lb488 cm 29.1 kg 24.5 kg 20.9 kg 22.7 kg 20.9 kg 27.3 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm ~ ~ 455 kg17’ 68 lb 60 lb 49 lb 56 lb 50 lb 64 lb ~ ~ 36” 14” 22” ~ ~ 1200 lb

518 cm 30.9 kg 27.3 kg 22.3 kg 25.5 kg 22.7 kg 29.1 kg ~ ~ 91.5 cm 35.5 cm 55.9 cm ~ ~ 545 kg17’ ~ 54 lb 47 lb 50 lb 47 lb 59 lb ~ ~ 35” 13” 21” ~ ~ 1000 lb

518 cm ~ 24.5 kg 21.4 kg 22.7 kg 21.4 kg 26.8 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 33 cm 53.5 cm ~ ~ 455 kg

12’ 47 lb 38 lb 29 lb 34 lb 30 lb 39 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 18” ~ ~ 490 lb366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 45.7 cm ~ ~ 223 kg12’ 47 lb 38 lb 29 lb 34 lb 30 lb 39 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 18” ~ ~ 490 lb

366 cm 21.4 kg 17.3 kg 13.2 kg 15.5 kg 13.6 kg 17.7 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 45.7 cm ~ ~ 223 kg15’ 60 lb 50 lb 40 lb 45 lb 42 lb 58 lb ~ ~ 35” 14” 21” ~ ~ 800 lb

457 cm 27.3 kg 22.7 kg 18.2 kg 20.5 kg 19.1 kg 26.4 kg ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 53.4 cm ~ ~ 364 kg16’ ~ 54 lb 44 lb 49 lb 46 lb 58 lb ~ ~ 34” 13” 20” ~ ~ 800 lb

488 cm ~ 24.5 kg 20 kg 22.3 kg 20.9 kg 26.4 kg ~ ~ 86.4 cm 33 cm 50.8 cm ~ ~ 364 kg16’ 68 lb 56 lb 46 lb 50 lb 46 lb ~ ~ ~ 35” 14” 21” ~ ~ 900 lb

488 cm 30.9 kg 25.5 kg 20.9 kg 22.7 kg 20.9 kg ~ ~ ~ 88.9 cm 35.5 cm 53.5 cm ~ ~ 409 kg

15’ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 60lb 70lb ~ 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 850 lb457 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 27.3 kg 31.8 kg ~ 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 386 kg16’ 72 lb 54 lb 45 lb 52 lb 48 lb 64 lb 74 lb 88 lb 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 1000 lb

488 cm 32.7 kg 24.5 kg 20.5 kg 23.6 kg 21.8 kg 29.1 kg 33.6 kg 40 kg 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 455 kg17’ 73 lb 62 lb 48 lb 58 lb 52 lb 68 lb 80 lb 95 lb 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 120 lb

518 cm 33.2 kg 28.2 kg 21.8 kg 26.4 kg 23.6 kg 30.9 kg 36.4 kg 43 kg 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 545 kg18’ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 70 lb 84 lb ~ 36” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 1400 lb

548 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 31.8 kg 38.2 kg ~ 91.4 cm 38 cm 58.5 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 636 kg

16’ 6” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 67 lb 77 lb ~ 34” 15” 26” 4” 4” 1100 lb506 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 30.5 kg 35 kg ~ 86.4 cm 38 cm 66 cm 10 cm 10 cm 500 kg11’ 3” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 38 lb 44 lb ~ 25” 15.5” 21.5” 5.5” 5.5” 500 lb344 cm ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 17.3 kg 20 kg ~ 63.5 cm 39.4 cm 54.6 cm 14 cm 14 cm 227 kg14’ 10” ~ ~ 34 lb 48 lb 44 lb 52 lb 58 lb ~ 32” 15” 23” 2.5” 2.5” 850 lb452 cm ~ ~ 15.5 kg 21.8 kg 20 kg 23.6 kg 26.4 kg ~ 81.2 cm 38 cm 54.4 cm 6.4 cm 6.4 cm 386 kg

R Q

R Q

R Q

R Q

R WT

R WT

WT

W

WT

E

WT E

WT E

R QS

R QS

R Q E

R Q E

WEIGHT & MATERIALS * DEPTH ROCKER

Royalex Plus

Fibreglass t

Spring 2013 Page 16

Nova Sports Equipment Ltd.471 Nightingale Avenue, London, Ontario, N5W 4C4

(519) 455-6252 • Fax: (519) 455-8162Email: [email protected] • www.novacraft.com

1-866-88 CANOE

L I F E T I M E WA R R A N T YWe endeavor to produce high quality products that give years of dependable service. For the original owner, if any defects in material or work manship 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 trans porting the canoe to and from our factory.

Documents

Nova Craft Canoe - Waterlines 2013