Comparison of the Materials Canoes Are Made Of

Aluminum

• Aluminum is a common canoe material that is desired for the durability. Aluminum canoes are extremely difficult to puncture, but the material is the heaviest with an average 16-foot boat weighing 75 to 85 lbs. It is also expensive, with an aluminum canoe costing $1,000 as of May 2011. The material is loud on contact with rocks, "sticks" to rocks ans is either uncomfortably cold or hot depending on weather conditions. Best suited for lakes and rivers, the aluminum canoe body offers some insurance against punctures during long trips or trips to remote wilderness areas.

Wood

• Wood is the traditional canoe material and it remains a desirable product. Wood canoes are typically handcrafted without a mold. The sanding and carving process used to build wood boats provides the opportunity for custom features and a unique appeal. Artistic figures and curves are common features in a wood boat. The wood is finished with resin and coatings to add durability but the wood requires regular maintenance after moderate use. Worn and damaged wood canoes must be sanded and refinished. Wood is also susceptible to puncturing, and wood and fiberglass combinations add durability to the hull. Punctures in wood are difficult to patch and the fiberglass hull is much easier to repair. Canvas or animal skin coverings add protection against the elements. Wood is the second heaviest material for canoes. A 16-foot boat typically weighs around 70 lbs. The price of wood canoes varies greatly as many are custom made, but it is common to pay more than $3,000 for a wood canoe. While expensive, the handcrafted canoes are more attractive than those made from other materials. Wood is also widely available and some manufacturers only use sustainably harvested products.

Fiberglass

• Fiberglass canoes are widely distributed and account for the most affordable end of the market. Fiberglass canoes are formed around a mold and mass produced. The material is lightweight, readily available and moderately durable. Fiberglass canoes have a clear coat finish that adds protection against puncture but the finish must restored after heavy abuse. The material will puncture with a heavy blow but it withstands a moderate amount of pressure. The average 16-foot fiberglass canoe weighs in at around 50 lbs. and costs less than $500.

Plastic

• Plastic is popular in the kayak market because it is lightweight, quiet, buoyant and durable. The material is spreading to the canoe market and is also being used by several drift boat manufacturers. High-grade plastic boats are desired because they require little maintenance and have all of the benefits of other materials. The price of plastic boats is not stable but may drop as the material gains popularity. The average plastic boat weighs roughly the same as fiberglass at 50 lbs. for a 16-foot canoe. The weight does vary based on the construction style but most manufacturers use a foam core surrounded by the plastic material. The plastic canoe is more durable than fiberglass but is less durable than aluminum. Plastic is expensive with many boats topping the $1,000 mark, as of May 2011.

Kevlar

• Kevlar is used in a limited portion of the canoe market. The fabric material is durable but it is also expensive. Kevlar canoes look and feel like a fiberglass model but they are more difficult to puncture. Kevlar is an option utilized by those seeking a weight and durability compromise between fiberglass and aluminum. Kevlar is ideal for canoe trips with numerous portages; the average 16-foot boat weighs 40 lbs. It is the lightest material available but it is also the most expensive with a 16-foot boat costing close to $3,000. The price is high because the material is not available in large quantities and the market is shared with bulletproof vests.