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 outtwo new 12’ models based on classic ChestnutCanoe Company designs: the Trapper and theTeddy.

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

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 improvedwith the input of paddlers looking for the ultimatecraft to best suit their individual needs. Chestnutexcelled at making specialized canoe designs thatperformed beautifully while still retaining the original look and feel of the aboriginal canoe. TheTrapper and Teddy are perfect examples of this.

Chestnut closed its doors in 1979 and, as timegoes by, original Chestnuts are becoming harder tofind. Fortunately, we managed to locate an originalcedar canvas Trapper that was initially purchasedin 1952. We used this canoe as a model to makeour contemporary versions of the Trapper andTeddy. The hulls for these two canoes are thesame; it’s how they’re put together that distin-guishes them and makes each appropriate for different paddlers and uses.

THE TRAPPERNova Craft‘s new Trapper is a solo canoe

intended for recreational paddlers, anglers andhunters in need of a single seater that offers roomi-ness and stability in a small package. It’s perfectfor getting out there independently and enjoyingtime in the great outdoors. Whether you’re driftingfor hours on a lazy river, working at landing somelargemouth bass, or putting out a spread of huntingdecoys, 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 andis ideal for narrow portages in difficult terrain.

THE TEDDYOur 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 bestway to ensure that kids have fun in the outdoors is to give them equipment suited totheir 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 andeasy to paddle and parents will appreciate that it is stable and safe!

We are very proud to be bringing back thesetwo 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. Whenyou do we know you will understand why itwas worth bringing them back to the paddlingcommunity. We’ll see you, and your kids, out on the water!

Spring 2012 Volume 4

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

MOVING FORWARD; INSPIRED BY TRADITION

Page 2 Spring 2012

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-Lite 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 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

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CONTENTS3

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Potatoes and Canoeingby Tim Miller

Canadian Canoe Cultureby Kevin Callan

New Canoes for 2012

Prospector Series Canoes

Where’s the Gorp?by Sandra H

Kid’s adapt to their environment quicklyby Rolf Kraiker

9

10

11

13

14

15

Recreational Series Canoes

Canadians, Canoes and the History of the American MidwestRalph Frese

Choosing the Right Canoe for You & Trim Systems

Canoe Specifications

Recreational, Solo & CruiserSeries CanoesNational Canoe Day - June 26

Materials, Accessories and Options, Glossary of Terms

Spring 2012 Page 3

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I was talking with my wife, Theresa, about thefood we eat a while back and she was mentioningan idea she had read that for best health youshould try to eat only simple foods. When you areat the grocery store, as much as possible, youshould only buy things with one ingredient. As anexample, buy a potato (one ingredient) vs. a box ofinstant mashed potatoes with many ingredientssome of which you probably can’t pronounce. Ithink it’s true the healthiest foods are the simplestbut do you ever notice that much of the advertisingfor food products are geared toward products witha long list of ingredients and the last six or sosound a lot like chemistry class. As a society weseem 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 fewingredients as possible. There is an aliveness tobeing on the water under your own power in acraft that has been passed down through time. Allthe complexities of daily life are distilled down to asimple pursuit with a pace that keeps time withour natural surroundings.

And those natural surroundings don’t have to bemiles away, many times they are right in our ownback yards. The river that runs through your town,the pond down the road or even the old marsh outbehind the new shopping centre all hold the potential for simple refreshment. Even this yearone of our customers recommended a creek nearby that is a beautiful ribbon of water meandering

under a canopy of mature Carolinian forest.Theresa and I enjoyed a fine summer day of paddling close to home with some great wildlifesightings.

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

in. They have usually been on really calm waterwhere all is reflected perfectly without a ripple.The canoe is gliding through the water effortlesslyand I can feel how all the water just stretchesaway from my awareness. Right then there is onlyONE ingredient to the whole thing.

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

Nova Craft’s partnership with Twaron was agreat success in 2011. Our combined efforts produced the Nova Craft Aramid Lite (Aramid synthetic fibers; trade names Twaron ®orKevlar®) which is structurally strong, durable andlight enough for our featherweight categories. TheAramid Lite is offered in most Nova Craft models.The Prospector 16' in Aramid Lite, for example,weighs only 45 lbs while our new Trapper andTeddy models are just under the 30 lb mark. Having been tested thoroughly by paddlers, thefeedback we’ve received has been enormouslypositive regarding Aramid Lite’s lightweight anddurable characteristics and most found that it exceeded their performance expectations.

With Nova Craft TV, available now on YouTube,we are providing the paddling community witheducational videos. Now our customers have fasterand easier access than ever to valuable product information. You can learn about our various models and materials or see our productionprocesses and learn how to do basic repairs onyour Nova Craft Canoe. We hope that through thisnew medium valuable product information will bemade more accessible to the public and that ourcustomers will gain a deeper understanding of theNova Craft brand.

Nova Craft’s involvement in the communitynever stops; in 2011 we continued to strengthenour great partnership in the community with theThames River Clean Up and continue to supportThe Canadian Canoe Museum through the promotion of National Canoe Day on June 26.

We have continued to focus our efforts in community service on the next generation, the future of the outdoors industry. We are involvedwith Big City Mountaineers, an organization that isdedicated to bringing at risk youth into the wilderness. As our good friend Jeff Weidman andBCM Board President says “Our goal at BCM is totransform the lives of as many kids as we canthrough wilderness experiences.” (bigcitymoun-taineers.org) We have also invested in the future ofbright students through the continued FanshaweCollege fundraising campaign.

Paddlepass, a program run by PPA (ProfessionalPaddlesport Association) members and supportedby Nova Craft, offers free paddling instruction andequipment to ninth grade students. The goal of the Paddlepass program is to offer teens an opportunity to participate in and benefit from theexperience and enjoyment of being on the waterand in the outdoors. We feel that if we can engageour youth in paddling and outdoor adventure at

this important stage of their life we will foster inthem a love for these activities and experiences foryears to come. (paddlepass.com)

With our customized theme canoe designs, NovaCraft offers paddlers and corporations the chancefor unique personal expression. With our uniquelaminate lay-up technology we are able to incor-porate virtually any image you choose right intothe hull of our composite canoes. This year wehave produced many inspired custom designed canoes, featuring everything from company logosand family tartans to graphics inspired by favouriteartists such as Jackson Pollock which we did tocreate 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 uniquejust for you.

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

POTATOES AND CANOEINGA few words from Tim Miller, President, Nova Craft Canoe

UNDER THE CURRENT

Tim Miller, President,

Nova Craft Canoe

“There is an aliveness to beingon the water under your ownpower in a craft that has beenpassed down through time.”

Page 4 Spring 2012

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

One weekend, as we horse-powered our wayback to our comfortable cabin destination, I admired the simplicity of the canoe trippers edging along a Georgian Bay shoreline. I enviedtheir closeness to the environment. As we racedthrough it, they stayed in it. And once landed forthe night, they would mysteriously be gone bymid-morning.

That’s kind of the point of outtripping: gone bymid-morning. Escaping the boredom of staying inone place. Continuing your journey through nature. Getting away from all the little things youthink you need, but that really only get in theway of your rise-and-shine. Heading out for another day of action, purpose, and elementalbeauty.

I want to feel that again. For a few days, I want to roll with nothing but a canoe and theleast amount of gear we can get away with. Iwant 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 beswiftly followed by “Where’s the GORP?” as myhusband and I embark upon our first hard-corecanoe trip together. I’m calling up my experience.I’m taking charge. And as he puts it, we’ll “keepgliding after we stop paddling.”

I haven’t tripped hard in ages. My husband andI have taken short paddling excursions: anevening fishing loop from a hunt camp in theFrench; an afternoon tour of New Hamburg via theNith; an unplanned return of a failed powerboatfrom the middle of a northern lake. But it’s been20 years since I’ve done any serious outtripping.

Paddling is still with me after all this time. Notin a ‘romantic vision’ kind of way. More like a nostalgic, needling desire hedged by lazy uncertainty: What’s stopping me from tripping atleast once per season? Will my husband make itthrough a 4-nighter? Does anyone use wannigansanymore?

We came close to getting out last summer. Ieven borrowed a book on northern Ontario canoeroutes; however, our idea to try tripping togetherlost the race to the calendar. Other activities, liketrips to cottages, hunt camps, and campgrounds,and chores like shed-painting and haying quickly

WHERE’S THE GORP? Sandra H

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

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

in 1865 across Europe and the United States, Idoubt few would argue that the Canadian identityitself lies with the canoe. After all, if Canadian filmproducers ever wanted to depict the opening of

Canada’s wilderness the way Hollywood character-ized winning the Wild West, the hero wouldn’t bestraddling a horse, but rather crouched down in acanoe, paddling off into the sunset. The packsack,paddle and portage are as much pioneer icons asthe chuck wagon, boot spur and ten-gallon hat.Maybe the closest this aspect of Canadian culturehas 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 astray 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 watercraftowned by some poor fool who can’t afford a speedboat; I see a way of life.

Spring 2012 Page 5

I went on a kayaktrip this past season.That’s right. Mr. Canoehead wentkayaking. My canoe-mates teased me tono end, of course.They said I’d gone tothe dark side, madefriends with thedevil. Using a kayakfor the trip I went on

made sense, however. The route was made up of awide stretch of open water, a few swifts and noportages. It was a short week paddling down theAbitibi River in northern Ontario and the length ofriver was between two gigantic hydro dams, thesame that gave the backdrop to that WadeHemsworth 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’tsway me away from my desired vessel to get meout into wilderness areas - the canoe. I love thecanoe. So much so, that less than a week after myAbitibi kayak trip I went on a canoe trip in thesame region - but this time the route was made upof a narrower waterway, with lots of rapids, andlots of nasty portages.

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

My passion for the canoe may have something

CANADIAN CANOE CULTUREKevin Callan, The Happy Camper

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

“To me the canoe is the one thing that binds me irrevocably

to the wilderness.”

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taking children into the wild. Risk management is ofgreat importance when young kids are involved;parents need to know what their children’s limitsare and never exceed them. Finding quality outdoorgear for infants and toddlers was a real challengewhen our boys were young but manufacturers haverisen to the challenge and parents today can equiptheir children with gear that’s up to the task.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes a parent canmake when including their youngster in outdoorpursuits is to expose their child to too abrupt achange in environment. We tried our best to expandour kids’ comfort zones by gently bringing elementsthey'd encounter on a canoe trip into their dailylives. For example, we'd put on their PFDs when itwas bath time. We pitched a small tent on theirbeds to get them accustomed to sleeping in an enclosure. The kids would “portage” laundry basketsup and down the stairs and there was always a toypaddle at the ready anytime they wanted.

With a small invest-ment in precaution, canoeing with kids isvery safe, but more important is settingboundaries at camp-sites. We'd mark off anarea around the tent bystringing rope betweentrees, delimiting thearea where they couldwander. When theywere still unsure ontheir feet, we'd leave their PFDs on around camp tocushion any falls they might have on the unevenground.

Wilderness outings formed the basis of some ofthe best quality family time we could ever have anticipated. The memories and experiences our boyshad during those formative years have helped toform them into well balanced adults that they aretoday – we still manage to get complimented onhow well they were raised from those who have recently met them. Now that our boys are youngmen and are living on their own, one of the greatestrewards they've given us is their sincere thanks fortheir time spent in the wild. While they took it forgranted as youngsters, they now have a real appreciation for the wonderful experiences they hadgrowing up.

When my wifeand I found ourselvesabout to embark onstarting a family, wenever considered giving up canoeing toraise our youngstersalthough our friendsand family had serious doubts aboutour sanity. In spite ofour insistence that

kids and canoes had been an affable pairing forcountless generations, there seemed to be no convincing Grandma that a canoe would be a safeenvironment for her grandkids.

If we had reservations, the first outing with ourfirst-born put them to rest within minutes. Our firstchild was born in early January, so we had to holdoff on his first canoe outing until spring thaw, butone warm March weekend found us heading outbefore dawn to a nearby marsh. The sound ofspring birds staking their territory and the gentlerocking of the canoe put our young son at ease,and to sleep, within moments.

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

KID’S ADAPT TO THEIR ENVIRONMENT QUICKLYRolf Kraiker, Blazing Paddles

With a small investment in precaution, canoeing with

kids is very safe...

Photo by Peter Mather

Photo by Rolf Kraiker

Spring 2012 Page 7

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SOLO SERIES

Trapper 12’

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.

• shallow arch• slight rocker with raised ends

• symmetrical

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 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

New for 2012

RECREATIONAL SERIES

“Originally designed for one man and his pack, the width and depth aresuch 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 -

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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’

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical

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 2012 Page 9

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RECREATIONAL SERIES

ASYMMETRICAL

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.

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.

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”.

• shallow arch• slight rocker with raised ends

• symmetrical

Haida 17’

• flat bottom• straight keel with raised ends

• asymmetrical

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 abit longer. That gives it extra carrying capacity without changing speed orhandling. The added roominess and stability means it is an ideal canoe forfamilies 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.

• shallow arch• slight rocker with raised ends

• symmetrical• avail. with or without shoe keel

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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 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.

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical

SOLO SERIES

RECREATIONALMuskoka 15’ 10” 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.

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 canoe-

themed 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.

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

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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.

• shallow arch• moderate rocker• symmetrical

Prospector 16’ and 17’

Length

Beam

Center

Bow

Bow

Stern

Capacity

DEPTH

ROCKER

15’6” 17’472 cm 518 cm

38 kg 42 kg84 lb 92 lb

35” 36”90 cm 91.5 cm14.5” 15”

35.5 cm 38 cm23” 23”

58.5 cm 58.5 cm2”

2” 2”

2”5 cm

5 cm 5 cm

5 cm

900 lb 1200 lb409 kg 544 kg

Weight

Canoe

Specifications

P16 P17

CANADIANS, CANOES AND THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MIDWEST.Ralph Frese, Chicagoland Canoe Base, Inc.

with French names that originated during thisperiod of American history.

In 1787 a man by the name of Pierre Menardleft Montreal with his brother in a birchbarkcanoe to seek their fortune in the Illinois

Country. Pierre eventually made a name forhimself as a wealthy merchant and successfultrader. When Illinois was admitted to the Union

as a state hewas the popular choicefor the firstLieutenantGovernor, but was not allowed the position because it waslearned he was Canadian. However, because ofhis popularity, the state’s constitution waschanged to allow him to take the position. Hishistoric home is now preserved by our state.

These are just two examples of how the Canadians and their canoes played a part in theexploration and development of the AmericanMidwest. 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 momentto reflect on just how important they are from ahistorical perspective. Hopefully that appreciationwill make your time on the water even more special.

Did you know that Canadians and their canoes played an important role in exploringand developing the American Midwest? Thesesmall boats proved to be ideal for moving ex-plorers and adventurers into new territories bymeans of streams, rivers and lakes. Here aretwo short but important examples of how thecanoe helped to shape the part of the UnitedStates that I call home.

Over three hundred years ago French explorerRene Robert de La Salle led an expedition to determine if the rumoured river, called theMessesipi by Natives, was the key in reachingthe Pacific Ocean. Using birchbark canoes, hefound it led to the Gulf of Mexico, but the voyage was successful in another way. It resulted in the discovery of some of the richestland they had ever seen, the Illinois Country.This area had vast tracts of fertile soil andenough game to support large villages of NativeAmericans. It was what the French referred toas prairie country and what is known today aspart of the breadbasket of North America. Sobegan the colonization of the Illinois Country byFrench Canadians. Today Illinois is still dotted

Shown is Prospector 16’

Spring 2012 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 only 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 (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 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 is the only boat builderusing 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.

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.

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.

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

MATERIALS

ACCESSORIES & OPTIONSSeats & Yokes

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 with a very high material-to-resin ratio.

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

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, ROYALEX LITE: A vulcanized plastic sheet combining layers of vinyl, ABS, and a foam core.Makes stiff, durable canoes which have very high

impact 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.

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

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

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 Lite:

Red Green Burgundy

Fibreglass, Aramid, Aramid Lite, Spectra, BlueSteel:

Red Green Sand

Sunray Blue SteelBlue Steel

Natural

DesertWhite Ox Blood Olive Green

CANOE COLOURS*

*Colors may not be exactly as shown.Visit your dealer for color samples.

Standard Trim

Wood Trim

Page 14 Spring 2012

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

Photo by Kevin Callan

ACTIVITY CHART

RecreationSport

Quiet Water TouringRiver Tripping ExpeditionWhitewater

Activity Teddy Muskoka Bob Special PAL Tripper Haida Cronje Prospector 15’ Prospector 16’ Prospector 17’ Prospector 18’ Trapper Supernova

Spring 2012 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.

SOLOPROSPECTORRECREATIONAL CRUISER

Activity

Length

Royalex

Beam

Center

Bow

Bow

Stern

Capacity

MATERIAL

WEIGHTS*

DEPTH

ROCKER

== Bob Special

Muskoka

Teddy

Tripper

Haida

Cronje

== Prospector 16’

== Prospector 17’

Prospector 18’

Supernova

Trapper

Prospector 15’

PAL

Aramid

Fibreglass

AramidLite

Spectra

Blue Steel

RoyalexLite

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 cm47 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 lbX 40 lb 44 lb 46 lbX 49 lbX 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 lb15 kg 23 kg 20 kg 22 kg 22 kg 25 kg 22 kg - 23 kg 26 kg - 15 kg 22 kg30 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 cm13” 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 cm18” 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 lb223 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. XShoe keel boats only ==No keel + 2-3 lbs.

R Q R QR Q R Q R QR QSR QS R QSR WT R WT T WEE T WE T W

SPECS

N O V A C R A F T . C O M 1 - 8 6 6 - 8 8 C A N O E

CATEGORIES OF CANOES:

Spring 2012 Page 16

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

(519) 455-6252 • Fax: (519) 455-8162Email: info@novacraft.com • www.novacraft.com

1-866-88 CANOE

L I FET IME WARRANTYWe 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.