RE: [Paddlewise] Durability; Royalex<->FRP

>I consider Royalex a heavy material for portaging,
>more suited for whitewater than for lake travel.

Since European FRP canoes typically weigh more than 35 kg to well over 40
kg/88 lbs, we consider(ed) Royalex as a lightweight material in the
Netherlands! The last(!) German FRP canoe I bought, was a 17.5 footer
advertised for 30 kg/66 lbs and actually weighed 45 kg/100 lbs! The builder
was very surprised/annoyed when I returned the boat because of this!

>My skin coat, foam core, FRP, Wenonah Jensen 18, which I bought for
>paddling and portaging in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,
>weighs about 24 kg, versus 32 to 36 kg for a typical Royalex canoe.

This will probably be comparing apples with eggs, but I assume a Wenonah
Jensen 18 built in Royalex should weigh not much more than 30 kg/66 lbs?
That can hardly be called heavy?

My own Royalex touring canoe (an American model of course, but only
available in Europe!?) which is comparable to the Jensen 18, weighs 30.5
kg/67 lbs. But being made from Royalex it gives me at least much more
'peace of mind' in demanding situations, while portaging is still a
bearable option for me. Of course, if this model was available in a vacuum
bagged Kevlar 'expedition' lay-up weighing say 27 kg/60 lbs, I would now
start saving money for it. But I admit to probably hold on to my Royalex
version for the somewhat more difficult rivers, more for psychical than
physical reasons, because the performance would probably be almost the same
as the FRP version.

Dirk Barends
the Netherlands


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