New 2009 Old Town Canoe

Advancing Tradition at Old Town Canoe

Tradition and technology have had a long and comfortable marriage at Old Town Canoe. In 1898 we built our first wood-and-canvas canoe, a more durable, lower maintenance improvement on the Native American birch bark canoe that was its inspiration. We did the same thing with the kayak in 1940, rendering the traditional seal-skin design in more durable wood-and-canvas.


The same spirit of innovation led us to introduce lightweight fiberglass versions of our kayaks and canoes in the 1950s and '60s. And it has continued into the 21st century, as we continually strive to advance the art of paddling through better designs and lighter, more durable materials, like today's PolyLink3™, SuperLink3™ and Hydrolite.


As much as we look ahead, though, we always keep one eye on the past, continuing to be inspired by the best of classic boat-building traditions.


The Classic Wood Canoe

You purchase from Old Town Canoe today is built very much like our first canoes were around the turn of the 20th century.


It's still hand-shaped on the same cedar forms, now more than 100 years old. Still built to the same exacting standards of quality right here in Old Town Canoe, Maine. And, though not built by the same artisans, very possibly by someone related to them. Through the years we've employed generations of family members in our plant, the traditions and craftsmanship passed on from fathers to sons.


Our heritage of craftsmanship also lives on in our modern canoes and kayaks. Each is designed and built to the highest, most exacting standards to deliver the finest paddling performance.


JOHNSON OUTDOORS

The Spirit of Adventure RACINE, Wis. – Johnson Outdoors, Inc. is a leading, global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. For today’s active paddlers, divers, campers, hikers, and anglers, Johnson Outdoors makes the outdoors accessible for everyone from the serious, hard-core enthusiast craving the next big rush to the novice looking for an hour-long vacation from the ordinary. With headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin, Johnson Outdoors designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of award-winning products for enthusiasts and recreational users worldwide, including:
• Canoes, kayaks, paddles, oars, recreational sailboats, personal flotation devices and small thermoformed recreational boats
• Electric boats featuring the Minn Kota® electric propulsion system
• Technical underwater diving products, dive computers and other electronics, and diving buoyancy compensators
• Commercial and consumer tents and backpacks and field compasses
• Electric trolling motors for fishing boats and electric primary propulsion motors for other small watercraft
• Fish finders and GPS technology


In the watercraft sector, the company's industry-leading brands include Old Town Canoes and kayaks; Ocean KayakÔ, Necky® kayaks; Escape® electric boats, pedal boats, sailboats, and deck boats; Carlisle® paddles and oars; and Extrasport® personal flotation devices. The company is the world’s leading manufacturer of kayaks, canoes and accessories, which are available in specialty stores and marine dealers, sporting goods stores and catalog and mail order houses throughout the United States and Europe. Johnson Outdoors makes and markets backpacking, expedition, outfitter and family tents, screen house and day use shelters, backpacks and equipment bags, and camping accessories under the Eureka brand name, and compasses by Silva.