Hellman Canoes

Backwater Paddling is a distributor for Hellman Canoes.

WHAT IS DURALITE?  It is a special synthetic composite cloth combined with a tough flexible epoxy resin that results in superior results in an incredible durable canoe hull. In its pre-resin stage Duralite looks the same as to fiberglass, however Duralite is cloth base, like a pair of jeans it is light and flexible. Whereas, fiberglass is made up with rigid and heavier glass strands; like paddling a “glass bottom” boat. Duralite, a synthetic cloth base where Hellman’s hulls will not shatter upon impact. Duralite makes our canoes 20% lighter and 90% tougher than conventional fiberglass canoes. Try out our demo boats to select the best design to match your needs.

If you rather have a personalized boat, custom boats can be ordered through Backwater Paddling, for approx. 3 weeks delivery time. As someone once said………… “in the scheme of things, what is a few weeks over a period of four or five years; to me it is worth to have my preferred color and features.”

TESTIMONIAL TO DURALITE; another happy camper…………
Soon after I purchased my Hellman Slocan Duralite canoe, a group of PG paddlers paddled the Murray River to the confluence of the Pine River. The river downstream of Tumbler Ridge has a few ledges and some short Grade 2 – 2+ sections. On one of these, where the river became braided, we chose a short narrow channel, about 5 or 6 feet wide, and shot down it. Just before we exited out of it into the main channel of the river, the front right side of the canoe struck a submerged stump very hard. We came close to tipping over. The side of the canoe was deflected inward at the point of impact, smacking/hurting my bowman’s knee. Later we popped the hull right back out again. With a bruised knee, I was surprised to find not a mark on the boat when we examined it later that day. I attributed the lack of damage to the Duralite characteristic ability to flex. Chris Peppler

*Equivilent design/dimensions to ” fibreglass Clipper Tripper“, is the Prospector.
However, the Duralite cloth used is more durable and stronger than glass.

Chart below is a visual summary of measurements;
Length on side, width on top and boat name:

MATERIAL COMPARISON; PROSPECTOR CANOE -17’ 6”