Shoutout your local whitewater boat builder

Robin, I’d like to think his nice wooden paddle was safely tucked away in the boat so it didn’t get broken. Lol

LizardFlip said:

I would like to make a list of every business or maker who is actively manufacturing new whitewater canoes in 2025. Any material, any location, just has to be designed for whitewater. Extra points if they're a small business. I will begin this list with some companies confirmed active.

Esquif
Silverbirch
Blackfly
Millbrook
Empty
Novacraft
Echo

Please add!

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If you are considering C1 decked canoes, add River Elf. They make composite C1s and kayaks.

clemency said:

Would hate to trip in a playboat/creekboat. And I question their relevance here. Might as well talk about kayaks.

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Whitewater play and creek canoes are not designed for wilderness tripping. And vice versa. That's why so many of us have multiple canoes.

Notwithstanding the name of this site, which Willis Brown chose from limited available alternatives in 2011, only a small minority of posts and threads here have ever been about overnight wilderness tripping—and no paddling forum could possibly survive with such a limited focus. Hence, discussion of all canoes and canoeing waters are welcome here. As our site welcome message has said for a long time:

"Whether your canoe trip is 30 days in the wilderness or 30 minutes around a pond, you can talk about it here. And you can talk about any of the related topics in the rich list of forums."

This thread is properly posted in, and is directly on topic for, our Whitewater forum.

SouthernKevlar said:

If you are considering C1 decked canoes, add River Elf. They make composite C1s and kayaks.

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Wow! I was unaware of River Elf! Nice designs, great name, clean website. Thanks for the tip!

LizardFlip said:

Wow! I was unaware of River Elf! Nice designs, great name, clean website. Thanks for the tip!

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I have never paddled one, but the design looks like it would make a great paddling C1. I am tempted by a Storm Chaser currently for sale in Asheville NC, but it is a size too small.

clemency said:

Composite Whitewater Canoes | Empty Canoes | Missoula

Composite whitewater canoes made in Missoula, Montana.

www.emptycanoes.com

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Those are some crazy graphics. I'd love to see the process for how they do that.

clemency said:

Composite Whitewater Canoes | Empty Canoes | Missoula

Composite whitewater canoes made in Missoula, Montana.

www.emptycanoes.com

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I had no idea there was a builder within a day's drive of me! I wish there was more info on the hull designs.

Savage River is the most local manufacturer to me; not sure they really make a whitewater specific tripper or play boat, but if you had the funds and wanted a spectacular tough composite boat, my guess is they would make it work for you. Their "whitewater" or "expedition" reinforcements on a carbon-innegra Harmony, Deep Creek, or Voyager model would make for a fantastic backcountry tripping boat. Savage River is VERY high-end, often making racing canoes with exotic fabrics. I would love to own one, but I would almost be afraid of using and scratching it!