Canada is a country made for boating, with a vast network of lakes, rivers, and coastline, and it has several companies designing and building watercraft domestically. While some build kayaks, canoes, and boats by hand, others utilise modern techniques, such as thermoforming, to craft them.
In this article, we highlight Canadian companies dedicated to building reliable watercraft for Canadians in Canada.
Canadian Boat Companies
Templar Marine Group
Manufacturing Location: Nova Scotia
Where to Buy: Online via the company website
Key Details:
Key Details:
- Electric-boat manufacturer
- Pioneering zero-emission watercraft
Templar Marine Group is a Canadian company dedicated to designing and building fully electric boats. Their mission is to craft clean, quiet, and sustainable boats that are completely emission-free. The company designs and builds boats for recreational, commercial, and tour uses. Originally based in Kelowna, British Columbia, Templar Marine now manufactures in Nova Scotia, having been acquired by Steven Williams and Topher Kingsley-Williams.
ClearWater Design
Manufacturing Location: Prince Edward, Ontario
Where to Buy: Online and paddling dealers
Key Details:
- Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards
- Made in Canada since 1995
ClearWater Design is a family-owned Canadian company manufacturing paddling craft, including kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. All their watercraft are made in Ontario and crafted with attention to durability, performance, and user comfort. Models vary from compact kayaks to larger touring options with rudder systems, multiple bulkheads, and a generous cockpit. The company is committed to eco-conscious practices. For example, all their boats are made with 100% recyclable polyethene and scraps are recycled and remade into new boats to minimise waste.
Hellman Canoes and Kayaks
Manufacturing Location: Nelson, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Online and store in Nelson
Key Details:
- Custom canoes, kayaks and paddle-craft
- Canadian-owned company
Hellman Canoes and Kayaks is a Canadian company making kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards in Nelson, BC. Their watercraft are made to order, allowing customers to request particular features and finishes. Hellman offers a wide range of boats, from sturdy canoes for wilderness trips to swift kayaks for river paddling and stable SUP boards. In addition to watercraft, Hellman also offers paddling gear, apparel, and accessories to get you fully equipped for your water adventures.
Orca Boats
Manufacturing Location: Coquitlam, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Online from Orca
Key Details:
- Recreational and fishing boats
- Canadian design and manufacturing
Orca Boats, based in Coquitlam, BC, produces recreational and fishing boats designed to perform in Canadian waters. Their offerings range from canoes and kayaks to sailing and rowing boats, which can all be modified to your specific requirements. Orca’s designs focus on practicality and versatility, aiming to meet the needs of anglers, families, and outdoor adventurers alike. As well as ready-made watercraft, Orca offers canoe and kayak kits.
Atlantis Kayaks
Manufacturing Location: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Authorised dealers
Key Details:
- Specialises in composite kayaks
- Canadian-owned company
Atlantis Kayaks Inc. is a Canadian kayak manufacturer producing sea, touring, and recreational kayaks from composite materials. Their location on Vancouver Island gives them direct access to coastal waters, providing them with the ideal testing ground to ensure their designs’ stability, endurance, and seaworthiness. All Atlantis kayaks are made in-house, giving the company full control of the whole manufacturing process and finish quality.
Abitibi & Co.
Manufacturing Location: Rouyn-Noranda, Québec
Where to Buy: Outdoor retailers
Key Details:
- Handmade canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats
Locally built in Québec
Abitibi & Co. in Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, produces handmade canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats, all made with attention to craftsmanship and environmentally friendly practices. The company emphasises domestic manufacturing and local supply chains to ensure each watercraft meets its exacting standards. If you are not able to find a design that meets your specific needs, Abitibi also offers custom-made options.
Paluski Boats
Manufacturing Location: Lakefield, Ontario
Where to Buy: Online
Key Details:
- Founded: 1980
Lifetime hull warranty
Paluski Boats has been making kayaks and canoes in Ontario since 1980, first using fibreglass and then transitioning into using rotomoulded polyethene and modern rotomoulding techniques. The company’s range includes recreational kayaks, touring kayaks, canoes, and paddles, which are all made domestically with materials sourced within Canada. Paluski offers a lifetime hull warranty on their watercraft, which reflects their confidence in their canoes and kayaks manufacturing quality.
