Curious, looking for informarion

[Bo D]

This goes back a fair amount of years. There was a canoe company that started up here in Ontario and might have been the first one to manufacture a Kevlar canoe. The one that I recall was either 14 or 16 ft in
length, weighed 54 lbs and fully loaded it still had 10 to 12 inches of freeboard. I believe the colour pattern was somewhat similar to that of an sportspal. And I believe it retailed for $1000.00 or $1200.00 At the time I had a young family and just couldn’t afford it.

If anyone can recall the name of the company or if anyone still has one or knows of one would love to hear about it.
Thanks, Pete

[Fisherman]

Google Kevlar Canoes Ontatio and there
s a few manufacturers.

[Species8472]

You may be thinking of Bluewater Canoes which was originally Ontario based. They made a 16.5 foot model called the Saugeen in Kevlar that weighed around 54 lbs starting something like 50 years ago. That company disappeared maybe 20 or 25 years ago when they were bought out by Mid-Canada fiberglass. MCF went bankrupt about 10 years ago and their molds were bought by Abitibi Co. Abitibi Co is Quebec based and they brought the Saugeen model back in recent years.

Not sure if Bluewater were the first to use Kevlar in Ontario but they were the first use it with polyester resin as opposed to the competition who were using vinyl at that time. Didn't make them lighter (weight stayed about the same) but made them significantly stronger than other Kevlar boats on the market at the time. Resins now are mostly epoxy and are stronger still and lighter.

I have one of the last Kevlar Saugeens actually made by Bluewater before they sold to MCF. Great all purpose canoe with 800+ lb payload. Mine has aluminum gunwales, hand crafted ash trim and seats and a custom yoke. Pic from about 7 or 8 years ago in use on a solo bear hunt:

[overyonder]

Old town canoes and they went by many names.

[Species8472]

Old town canoes and they went by many names.

While Old Town has been round more than 100 years it is American. OP was asking about Ontario manufacturers using Kevlar way back. Another Ontario company other than Bluewater that was using Kevlar way back would be Langford.

[Pioneerfreq]

As far as lightweight, strong, stable Kevlar canoes go, I swear by my Langford Prospector!

[Hardman]

I have moved a few bears, getting that bear in the canoe alone would have been a chore. Once in the canoe you would have a very pleasant way to transport.