1. Epoxy resin

There are two reasons why all Kevlar canoes are not created equal. The first is layup (point #4). The second is resin. Epoxy resin is substantially stronger than the vinylester or polyester resin used by our competitors. Polyester and vinylester are both more brittle than epoxy, and more prone to delamination over time. Epoxy is also more expensive and more difficult to use, which is why others shy away from it. A Souris River Canoe, reasonably cared for, will retain its strength for as long as you’ll be able to paddle it. For an unbiased comparison of polyester, vinylester and epoxy resins, visit the education pages of Netcomposites, which says of epoxy: “Epoxies generally out-perform most other resin types in terms of mechanical properties and resistance to environmental degradation, which leads to their almost exclusive use in aircraft components.”