Nova Craft - Pal 16'

Some canoes just work, and paddlers know it the moment they put one in the water. The Pal 16' traces its roots back to one of the Chestnut Canoe Company's most beloved designs, a hull so universally capable that it outlasted its original name and earned a new one through sheer affection. Nova Craft has faithfully reproduced those original lines so today's paddlers can get their hands on one of the finest general-purpose traditional canoes ever built in this country.

The Pal handles flatwater day trips, fishing outings, and sightseeing paddles with equal ease, and it doesn't flinch when the wind picks up or the water gets rough. It paddles comfortably tandem or solo, making it one of the most genuinely versatile canoes in the Nova Craft lineup. If you want one canoe that handles just about everything your local lakes and rivers can throw at it, this is a strong contender.

*Weights are based on year-long production averages and may vary.

*Adding options to your canoe will add to its overall weight.

Trim Systems

Standard aluminum gunwales are aircraft-grade, anodized, and essentially maintenance-free. They're tough, lightweight, and built to last well beyond a lifetime of paddling. If you're counting grams on the portage trail, Aluminum Lite gunwales offer a slimmer profile that shaves meaningful weight without sacrificing durability. Prefer the traditional look and feel of wood? Ash gunwales are quieter on the water, comfortable to handle in both heat and cold, and bring a classic aesthetic that's hard to argue with.

Aluminum Gunwales

Aluminum Lite Gunwales

Ash Gunwales

Materials

TuffStuff leads the Pal lineup with its basalt and Innegra fibre construction, offering a genuinely light hull with the backbone to handle extended backcountry trips. TuffStuff Expedition builds on that with heavier-duty impact resistance for serious wilderness travel and occasional whitewater use. For portage-heavy routes, Aramid Lite delivers Nova Craft's lightest layup in a flatwater-focused hull. Blue Steel combines aramid and carbon fibre for a canoe that's both light and stiff, with proven performance on everything from local lakes to remote Arctic river expeditions.

• TuffStuff: 52 lb / 23.6 kg
• TuffStuff Expedition: 58 lb / 26.3 kg
• Aramid Lite: 42 lb / 19.05 kg
• Blue Steel: 47 lb / 21.3 kg
• Gunwale options: Aluminum, Aluminum Lite, or Ash
• Best use: Flatwater tripping, fishing, day paddling, tandem or solo
• Made in Canada: London, Ontario