Composite Canoes, Internal Structure

Entirely hand-built to deliver exceptional padding performance

To perform best, a canoe must be well-shaped, of course, but it also must be light and stiff. We've spent decades perfecting our methods of composite construction that actually enhance the performance of our superb hull designs.

Each Wenonah composite canoe model is painstakingly built, entirely by hand, using a variety of materials which augment each other. While the choices of major hull materials that we offer are Kevlar, Tuf-weave, or graphite, the major material is always combined with several others in an engineered assembly that benefits from all of it components.

Composite materials can be used to make exceptional canoes. And when made using our advanced methods of construction, Wenonah composite canoes deliver durability, lightness, and performance that are unmatched by any other canoe builder.

Ultra-light construction...
the optimum for paddling and portaging

This construction method is available for every canoe model that we make using composite materials.

A rigid, structural-foam core is laminated into the bilge, and foam ribs are laminated internally to the sides. Extra fabric layers greatly strengthen specific areas, and we cure these hulls in a vacuum to get the highest ratio of strength to weight.

When seats or a footbrace are side-riveted to the hull, an aluminum plate is laminated into the side-rib and hardware is reveted through the plate into the rib. This gives a very secure connection and eliminates rivet heads on the exterior of the canoe.

This is the aerospace type of construction for which we are famous. These hulls are extremely stiff and light to deliver truly superb performance. They are ideal for speed or distance paddling, and for all people or conditions that demand the lightest gear.

Although our Ultra-light canoes perform brilliantly, whitewater use calls for the greater flexibility of our other methods.

Flex-core construction...
greater durability and a lower cost

This construction method is available for most composite canoes that we make.

A core material having controlled flex is laminated into the bilge. The orientation of the composite fibers is carefully planned to distribute loads, and extra fabric layers greatly strengthen specific areas while adding little weight, and we cure these hulls in a vacuum to get the highest ratio of strength to weight.

Unlike our other composite construction method -- Ultra-light core -- that uses smaller, targeted reinforcing, the Flex-core fills the bilge giving a completely smooth floor. This construction is more rugged than our Ultra-light core. It is meant for general paddling including all but extreme waters.

Although heavier than an Ultra-light core, a Flex-core canoe costs less and is light compared to canoes in general.