April 13, 2022

H2O CANOE COMPANY LAYUP OPTIONS

The H2O Canoe Company manufactures an incredible line of innovative and stunningly beautiful canoes that has grown over the years. Their premium canoes are competitively priced and constructed with the most modern technology and build processes.

By combining dry infused manufacturing with high quality Vinylester and Epoxy resins, H2O’s canoes are stronger and lighter than those made using the common vacuum bagging technique with Polyester resin.

H2O has simplified their offerings by breaking down the options into 4 distinct categories. Within each category, canoeists are offered unique layups choices to suit their individual needs - from robust cottage boats to ultralight tripping canoes.

PRO-LITE SERIES

H2O’s Pro-Lite series are the industry’s leading layups for advanced, ultralight tripping and easily considered the lightest, toughest canoes on the planet.

3 choices are available and are separated by the need for either light and stiff or light and strong. Canoes within this category are built using epoxy resin, dry infusion, and H2O’s innovative Integrated Composite Gunwale (ICG). The exterior of the boat is a complete clear coat epoxy, which is up to 8 lbs lighter than that with a full gel-coated finish.

INNEGRA / BASALT / AVG. 39 LBS

Out of the two layups in the Epoxy Pro Series, the Innegra / Basalt is confidently the strongest, lightweight canoe available in the world.

Its unique combination of cutting-edge fabrics makes this layup one of Frontenac Outfitters’ personal favourites. Not-to-mention, our region’s rocky shorelines, Canadian Shield landscapes, and demanding portage trails dictate the need for a super tough, super light canoe.

The Innegra/Basalt layup is an ideal choice for paddlers who thrive on back-country camping with long portages, areas abundant with rock, or lakes with natural & overgrown launch points. Also a great option for those who like to put their gear ‘to the test!’

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Exterior and interior layer of Innegra / Basalt for abrasion resistance and easy repair with a sandwiched layer of Kevlar to further improve impact resistance
Structural bilge and free-board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core and ribs
UV repellent proprietary clear-coating on exterior that sheds up to eight pounds in weight
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and flexible post cured epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin / weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with with the following outfitting:

Integrated Composite Gunwale
ABS End Caps
Black Stained Poplar Canted Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Stained Poplar Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

CARBON / AVG. 35 LBS

The ultimate in lightweight canoes, the Clear-Coat Carbon option replaces the Innegra / Basalt layers with Carbon to improve stiffness and reduce weight. Removing Innegra / Basalt from construction does result in a small loss to durability; however, the sandwiched layer of Kevlar retains impact resistance and overall strength.

The Carbon layup is the best option for those concerned about speed and efficiency, canoeists participating in races or long-distance paddles with multiple portages, and paddlers who are a little more ‘gentle’ with their gear. Also a great choice for smaller-framed individuals, aging enthusiasts, and those who that want the lightest boat they can get.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Carbon combined with a sandwiched Kevlar layer
Structural bilge and free-board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core and ribs
UV repellent proprietary clear-coating on exterior that sheds up to eight pounds in weight
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and flexible post cured epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin / weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with with the following outfitting:

Integrated Composite Gunwale
ABS End Caps
Black Stained Poplar Canted Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Stained Poplar Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

CARBON/INNEGRA / AVG. 32 LBS

The Carbon / Innegra option the lightest option in the Pro-Lite series of canoes. Slightly less durable than the Innegra / Basalt layup, but stronger than the all carbon version.

By combining speed, efficiency, and strength, this layup is a versatile choice for canoeists participating in long-distance paddles with multiple portages and smaller-framed individuals, aging enthusiasts, or those who that want the lightest boat they can get.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Carbon / Innegra combined with a sandwiched Kevlar layer
Structural bilge and free-board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core and ribs
UV repellent proprietary clear-coating on exterior that sheds up to eight pounds in weight
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and flexible post cured epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin / weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with with the following outfitting:

Integrated Composite Gunwale
ABS End Caps
Black Stained Poplar Canted Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Stained Poplar Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

HELIUM

H2O’s Helium layups are aesthetically striking and lightweight and have been made to feel as good on your shoulders as they do on the water.

This category provides paddlers with a lightweight and stiff canoe with the added beauty of a coloured hull. Built using epoxy resin, integrated composite gunwales (ICG), as well as the dry infusion manufacturing technique.

CARBON / KEVLAR / AVG. 42 LBS

The Helium Carbon / Kevlar layup combines the lightness, stiffness, and abrasion resistance of Carbon with the impact protection of Kevlar. The upper wall is finished with a clear coat epoxy to reduce weight, while the hull features a layer of gel-coat for added strength as well as colour choice.

The Carbon / Kevlar option is an ideal choice for those who require a light, stiff boat for tripping or long crossings but are willing eat a carry a few extra pounds in order to increase the hull strength. Also a great choice for those undergoing races or paddlers that might drag their canoe in and out of the water now and then.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Combination of stiff Carbon fiber with resilient Kevlar fabric
Structural bilge and free-board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core
Lightweight, clear-coated carbon fiber upper exterior with marine-grade FX gel-coated hull – FX: Flex additive for greater impact resistance
Lightweight, UV resistant interior clear-coat over interwoven Carbon / Kevlar
High impact resistant epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin-to-weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with following outfitting:

Integrated Composite Gunwale
ABS End Caps
Black Cherry Canted Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Cherry Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

BRUTE FORCE

H2O’s Brute Force Epoxy lamination is built for the unforgiving paddler who demands a robust and resilient canoe.

There are 2 options within this category.

To help keep the weight down but strength up, canoes are constructed using strong, flexible epoxy resin along with multiple layers of Innegra / Basalt cloth or Kevlar. A clear-coat epoxy is applied to the exterior and interior in order to shed the pounds that come along with a fully gel-coated finished.

INNEGRA / BASALT / AVG. 50 LBS

The Brute Force Innegra / Basalt layup gives paddlers a canoe that’s stronger than their old ‘beater Fiberglass boat’ with a substantial reduction in weight. Built using the same process as the Pro-Lite series, the Brute Force canoes are stiff, tough, and have an acceptable weight for most paddlers.

Simply put, it’s the toughest canoes available of all H2O’s lamination.

This layup is ideal for tripping with rugged portages in areas with natural, rocky launching or docking points. Also a great choice for recreational paddlers or families with a variety of users, skilled or not so much…

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Multiple exterior and interior layers of Innegra / Basalt with a sandwiched Fiberglass layer
Structural bilge and free board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core
UV repellent proprietary clear-coating on exterior that sheds up to eight pounds in weight
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and flexible epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin-to-weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with the following outfitting:

Standard Aluminum Gunwales
ABS End Caps
Black Stained Poplar Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Stained Poplar Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

CLEAR-COAT KEVLAR / AVG. 47 LBS

The Clear-Coat Kevlar layup gives paddlers a canoe with great impact resistance and slightly less weight than the Innegra / Basalt layup. Built using the same process as the Pro-Lite series, the Brute Force canoes are stiff, tough, and have an acceptable weight for most paddlers.

Note: the Clear-Coat Kevlar layup can be upgraded to include a dyed layer of fabric (Red or Green) to add colour, at an additional cost.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Multiple exterior and interior layers of Innegra / Basalt with a sandwiched Fiberglass layer
Structural bilge and free board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core
UV repellent proprietary clear-coating on exterior that sheds up to eight pounds in weight
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and flexible epoxy resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin-to-weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with the following outfitting:

Standard Aluminum Gunwales
ABS End Caps
Black Stained Poplar Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
Black Stained Poplar Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

GREAT WHITE NORTH

H2O’s Great White North layups are built for the everyday paddler being both rugged and dependable for tripping or recreational paddling.

This category offers paddlers 2 options to choose from based on the need between strength vs. lightness. Great White North layups feature a full layer of gel-coat to provide you colour, or a clear-coat finish to improve durability. H2O’s dry infusion manufacturing process remains consistent while using vinylester resin along with standard aluminum gunwales.

INNEGRA / BASALT / AVG. 54 LBS

The Innegra / Basalt is one of the only value-priced options on the market that is constructed using a dry infusion process. This layup boasts reasonable weights and great impact resistance.

To keep weights low while improving durability, structural reinforcement is added by combining the advanced Innegra / Basalt material which is light and flexible with rigid and robust Fiberglass.

A perfect selection for recreational paddlers and trippers who push their boats to the limit yet still want to keep the weight under 60 lbs. Also a great choice for families or as a cottage boat used by several different users with varying skill levels.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Multiple exterior and interior layers of Innegra / Basalt with a sandwiched Fiberglass layer
Structural bilge and free board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core
Marine-grade FX gel-coat exterior – FX: Flex additive for greater rebounding properties
Lightweight, UV resistant interior coating over natural fabric
High impact resistant and stiff vinylester resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin-to-weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with the following outfitting:

Standard Aluminum Gunwales
ABS End Caps
White Ash Webbed Seats, Thwart, and Hand Grips
White Ash Deep Dish Portage Yoke
Stainless Steel Hardware

KEVLAR / AVG. 49 LBS

The Kevlar options is the lightest in the Great White North category making it the ideal choice for longer portages. It combines multiple layers of Kevlar for impact resistance and to keep weight down as well as Fiberglass to improve strength and stiffness. The interior features a clear-coat epoxy to further reduce the weight and showcase the golden beauty of natural Kevlar fabric.

This layup is great for somebody who wants a lightweight canoe but is able to handle a few extra pounds in order to keep the cost down. Perfect for families, weekend warriors, or those who may not paddle as often as the avid back-country tripper that walks grueling portages.

Here’s what’s included during construction:

Combination of exterior and interior layers of resilient Kevlar with a sandwiched stiff, robust layer of Fiberglass
Structural bilge and free board reinforcement with rigid closed cell foam core
Marine-grade FX gel-coat exterior – FX: Flex additive for greater rebounding properties
Lightweight, UV resistant clear-coat interior
High impact resistant and flexible vinylester resin
Processed under dry infusion to consistently provide the ultimate resin-to-weight ratio

Canoes in this layup come standard with the following outfitting: