Frequently asked questions (UPdated july 1, 2023):
How do I care for and store my canoe?
We recommend using teak oil on the upper wooden structures once each season, being careful to wipe up any spills before they harden. A light sanding every few years to the wooden gunwales before oiling is also a good practice. A good marine wax with UV protectant is helpful for the hull of the canoe. For off-season storage, the best way to store a canoe will always be in a dry and climate-controlled area like your house or a garage. Keeping a canoe stored indoors for the offseason will help to protect against UV rays, exposure to extreme hot and cold, moisture and theft. When storing outdoors always keep the canoe off the ground, resting on the gunwales and in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. For more tips, this web page is very helpful: https://activelyoutdoor.com/how-to-store-a-canoe/How can I tell what year my canoe was hand crafted?
Each canoe has a Hull Identification Number (HIN) etched into the hull just beneath the gunwale. Each HIN's last two digits indicate the year the canoe was hand crafted. For example if the last two digits are 88, then the canoe was hand crafted in 1988. If the last two digits are 15, then the canoe was handcrafted in 2015. The earliest Navarro canoe dates will be in the 1970's.How do I determine my canoe hull’s material?
Depending on the era your canoe was hand crafted, the hull may be all fiberglass, or all kevlar or a hybrid of both materials. The heavier the canoe, the more likely it is all fiberglass. The lighter the canoe, the more likely it is a kevlar hybrid or all kevlar. For canoes built prior to 2022, if there is yellow cloth beneath the gunnels, it indicates kevlar was used. Since May 2022, all Navarro canoes (unless otherwise specified) are a hybrid of fiberglass for outer shell, and black kevlar for inner hull shell. Compare your canoe's weight to our current specs for your build model. If your canoe is weighs more than our current hybrid spec weight, then it is likely all fiberglass.How do I order parts to make my own canoe repairs?
As of June 2023 we no longer provide any replacement parts. Navarro Canoe Co. remains focused on hand crafting the finest new heirloom canoes available anywhere. Each newly hand crafted canoe entails around 100 man hours. Every new canoe build has its own requirements to meet the Navarro Canoe Co. standard. Unfortunately, we do not currently have the manpower to effectively fulfill parts or accessories requests. We highly recommend sourcing replacement parts and accessories from Essex Industries, a long time reliable and expert supplier for Navarro Canoe Co. Learn more about Essex at this webpage here: https://essexindustries.org/about.Do you refurbish vintage Navarro canoes?
We currently do not refurbish canoes. Shipping the canoe to Rock Island, Illinois and then shipping it back to you is very costly. Consider upgrading and ordering your own newly hand crafted Navarro canoe. Pending a review of your vintage Navarro canoe's condition, we will take your damaged canoe as a trade-in or exchange in order to cover the expense of transporting your new canoe to you. We deliver your newly hand crafted canoe to your door, and our carrier will bring your damaged canoe back to our shop, at our expense. Depending on your location, the cost of one-way transporting your new canoe to your doorstep can range from $500 to $1,500. We value examining vintage Navarro canoes from all eras, to learn how our predecessors hand crafted each of the eight different canoe builds in the Navarro fleet.What if I want to do my own repairs or restoration?
We encourage DIY repairs to your Navarro canoe! To this end, we highly recommend two Facebook Groups as resources for research and collaboration with other canoe restoration geeks. We've created short links to each at www.navarrox.com/diy and www.navarrox.com/repair.Will you provide replacement Navarro Canoe Co. logo decals for my canoe?
Yes! Please visit our Shelving, Schwag and Stickers page here to order your replacement decals.