It's Been One Year! 

In May 2022, Iowa based M&A brokerage firm Marigold Resources acquired Navarro Canoe Co.  The new owners greatly admired Navarro's nearly 50 year old proven reputation for high performance lightweight canoes, gorgeous craftsmanship and heirloom durability.

Just over one year later, Navarro Canoe Co.'s build shop, showroom and headquarters remains in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, just across the Mississippi River from Marigold, in downtown Davenport, Iowa.

Year One's Partnerships & Projects

Loon-X Canoe for Living Lands & Waters' Volunteers 

Navarro engineered and built the first Loon-X 16' canoe for Living Lands & Waters, honoring their tireless volunteers who protect, restore, and preserve America's major rivers and watersheds. Pictured above: LLW's volunteers at the annual Barge Party June 15, 2023. More info here. 

17' Expedition Canoe Renamed "Oberholtzer" Honoring Local Legendary Canoeist & Preservationist  

Born in 1884 in Davenport, Iowa, Ernest Oberholtzer's accomplishments include a Wilderness Society founder, pioneering canoeist and photographer who litigated for and helped establish the Quetico-Boundary Waters we enjoy today. In 2022, Navarro Canoe Co. renamed its Bob Foote designed 17' Loon expedition canoe build "Oberholtzer." Pictured above: Ober is famous for taking the first daytime photos of a moose in its natural environment (aboard a canoe of course).  
Read more here.

Columbia River Canoe Project

Speaking of preserving watersheds, Robert Lester partnered with Navarro Canoe Co. on a 1,300+ mile canoe expedition from Butte, MT to the Pacific Ocean near Astoria, Oregon.  The 52 day journey was aboard a 17' Oberholtzer canoe and included 175 miles of portaging around 40+ dams. Navarro is an executive producer for the pending 60 minute documentary film about the past, present and future of the Columbia River watershed.  Read more here. 

Navarro-X Partnership with Rivers Edge Adventure Company 

The Wisconsin Northwoods is a great place to have an adventure, and Rivers Edge Adventure Company in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin is Navarro's exclusive Wisconsin canoe dealer and Navarro-X operator. Buy a Navarro and test your new adventure-ready canoe with a guided Northwoods wilderness adventure.  Pictured above: Navarro Otter, Ober and Triumph canoes for sale at River's Edge Lodge and Navarro-X Northwoods website. Day trips, multi night expeditions, camping and on site lodging all available.  Read more here. 

1st Place Canoe Award at Wheels, Wings & Watercraft  

Navarro's 16' Otter canoe hand crafted by Jeff O'Hern pictured below took first place at the event in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend 2023.  Read more here. 

Great Rivers & Routes Sponsors Navarro Canoe for Charity Auction at 2023 Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri

Navarro provided Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois tourism bureau a 16' Loon Navarro canoe at cost, that was custom hand painted and auctioned off to help raise $10K for charity at the 2023 Sports ETA Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri. Pictured above, Mural in process by artist Dan Rickets of STL Sign and Mural.  

Illinois Tourism Office Puts Navarro in The Middle of Everything

Illinois has a bayou?! It sure does, and the Illinois Office of Tourism, assisted by Cache Bayou Outfitters borrowed a couple Navarro canoes to paddle the ecological treasure known as The Cache River Wetlands.  Navarro's 17' Oberholtzer canoe helmed by Jane Lynch is featured in Illinois' latest national tourism marketing campaign.   Pictured above: Landing web page for campaign and video. 

International Manufacturing Mashup at the Quad Cities International Airport 

Why would Navarro acquire and refurbish a 1983 Made-in-Japan Toyota Land Cruiser and place Made-in-USA Navarro canoes on its racks and park it at the local airport? See below for the Japan connection.  The display (pictured above) has helped generate new awareness locally and abroad that signature heirloom Navarro canoes are made here in the Quad Cities. And, visitors have come to Navarro's world headquarters in Rock Island because of this display!

Search is On for Japanese Navarro Canoe Distributor  

Do a search by hashtag anything #navarrocanoe related on Instagram and nearly half of the posts are from Japanese Navarro canoe owners. Navarro Canoe Co. was a thing for a hot minute in Japan in the late 1990's and these customers embrace their canoe's generational value like no other.  Thanks to local business connections, Navarro has  engaged a native search liaison in Japan to help source an exclusive and strategic distributor partner. Navarro Canoe Co. exported Made-in-USA canoes nearly thirty years ago. Can it be done again? 

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