Our Custom Canoes
We are currently on hiatus from new builds and large-scale restorations, focusing instead on select ongoing work. If you’re a past client or have a maintenance question, feel free to reach out via email.
Each craft is built individually, with your full input, to create a wholly unique and exclusive boat of distinction that unites form and function, beauty, and utility.
Each craft is built individually, with your full input, to create a wholly unique and exclusive boat of distinction that unites form and function, beauty, and utility.
Every boat is built to exacting standards, but you must first decide on the type of canoe to be built. While GLBW's proprietary model, the 15.7' Minto, is always available, we are not limited to this design alone; The 17’ Zephyr is a robust tripping canoe, and the 11’ is perfect for solos in country or the city. We also build Chestnut Canoe Co. and Peterborough Canoe Co. boats from original moulds that are available to us.
The level of finish of each boat - along with the choice of woods, trim options, hardware, varnish and paint - is your choice and will further enhance a boat's individuality. We love special details like custom upholstery, accessories, decals, engraving, and unique metalwork.
Our Process
Each canoe is built individually. With your full input we create a wholly unique and exclusive boat of distinction that unites form and function, beauty and utility. Almost every individual part of the canoe is customizable, and we’re happy to walk you through every step of the build – from the first rib to the final coat of varnish.
The Hull
All wood is sourced from trusted partners, and custom milled in our shop to exact standards.
Our hulls are typically constructed from the finest Eastern White Cedar and standard hardwood choices of White Ash, Oak, and Cherry.
Per request and availability, we will happily use Atlantic Cedar, Yellow Cedar, or Red Cedar, or tropical hardwoods like Mahogany and Sapele, and exotics from Ambrosia to Zebrawood.
Built for longevity and future repairability with robust structural parts and the use of composites and laminates in key areas, like the stem apex joinery, with proper care our hulls will last several lifetimes.
Canoe Skin
Our canoes skins are a composite system of #10, 14oz cotton duck canvas impregnated and sealed with WEST system epoxy resin and fillers.
GLBW did not invent this process, but we are the first to incorporate this innovative method having perfected it through over a decade of widespread use.
A great improvement over “traditional” oil-based or latex fillers, our canvas-epoxy system is both durable and aesthetic. Better still, like out hulls themselves, it is fully and perfectly repairable.
Finishing
All of our canoes are painted and varnished by hand and constantly inspected throughout the entire build to ensure the perfection finish.
We use Epifanes products as standard, but can use other systems if requested, and spray finishing is also available.
Minto 15’7”
Minto 15’7”
The Minto 15'7" canoe is a completely unique, proprietary design based on the now-lost Minto Marine 16’ canoe that was rare outside of the Halliburton Highlands.
The Minto was built in Minden, Ontario by May Minto until the mid-1980s; the “Kilcoo” was reverse engineered from a perfect original (one of the last four May ever built, bought and still owned by a Kilcoo Camp Alumnus) and faired by marine architect Steve Killing to perfect it’s hull lines.
Despite its elegant shape and seemingly shallow depth, the Kilcoo is very stable and easy to paddle – something Kilcoo campers have known for over 50 years! It has a flat-bottomed, narrow-entry symmetrical hull with a slight rocker and little tumblehome (full specifications can be found below). Great for beginners and experts alike, the Kilcoo is an excellent all-around boat that not only performs during recreational paddling and tripping on both flat and white water, but also excels during soloing.
Minto 11’
Minto 11’
A smaller version of the classic Minto, no one else build this one either! Great for soloing and quiet recreation, it’s big enough for day trips small enough to keep at home.
Zephyr 17’
Zephyr 17’
The Zephyr 17’ was again redesigned by Steve Killing Yacht Designs based on the classic Chestnut Canoe Co. Prospector hull. The mould was built by Master canoe builders Ron Frenette and Rollin Thurlow in 1994.
Slightly more round in the belly for better slide and a bit more capacity, the Nomad also improves the Prospector's lines and water deflection with slightly upturned ends.