Hellman Canoes

Backwater Paddling is a distributor for Hellman Canoes. Hellman boats are constructed with a special synthetic composite cloth combined with a tough flexible epoxy resin that results in superior results in an incredible durable canoe hull. This is not fiberglass, instead of glass fibers, duralite is a synthetic cloth base; rather of paddling a “glass bottom” boat, 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. Or, check out the website (Hellmancanoes.com) then ask Allane to assist you to choose a canoe; she well define what your needs are and ask are some questions to help with your decision. 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 number of 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; the hull immediately popped right back out again. 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’s 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 with rocker:

MATERIAL COMPARISON; PROSPECTOR CANOE -17’ 6”