Frequently Asked Questions​

For those new to canoeing, we recommend our Broadland series. These canoes are designed for stability and ease of use, making them perfect for recreational paddling on calm waters. Their forgiving nature allows beginners to develop their paddling skills with confidence. We also offer introductory paddling tips and resources to help you get started

For whitewater playboating, the Covert series is our top recommendation. These canoes are designed for maximum agility and responsiveness, allowing you to perform maneuvers with precision. The Covert 9.3 with Hydrolite construction is a popular choice among playboaters.

For extended canoe trips, the Broadland 16 is an excellent choice. Its spacious design provides ample storage for gear, and its stable hull ensures a comfortable and efficient paddling experience, even when fully loaded. We can also advise on outfitting options to maximise your storage and comfort.

Our in-house rotomolding process creates seamless, one-piece canoes with consistent wall thickness, eliminating weak points and enhancing overall durability. This process allows us to create canoes that can withstand impacts and abrasions, ensuring long-lasting performance.

Foam core construction, as seen in our DuraLite canoes, provides a significant weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity. The foam core also adds buoyancy and stiffness, resulting in a responsive and efficient paddling experience. This makes DuraLite ideal for paddlers who prioritise portability and ease of handling.

Hydrolite construction, used in models like the Covert 9.3, offers exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratios, resulting in a highly responsive and agile canoe. This is crucial for navigating technical whitewater and performing maneuvers with precision. The lightweight nature of Hydrolite also enhances acceleration and reduces fatigue

If you frequently paddle in rocky rivers, we recommend our DuraTough construction. Its thick, single-layer high density polyethylene design provides exceptional impact resistance, ensuring that your canoe can withstand the rigors of challenging environments. DuraTough canoes are built to last, even in the harshest conditions

We offer a comprehensive range of outfitting options to customise your Silverbirch canoe to your exact specifications. 

These include:

• Full and Half Lacing: Lacing provides secure attachment points for gear and enhances the canoe's structural integrity.
• Seat Fitting: We offer a wide range of seats, saddles and hip pads to ensure optimal comfort and paddling position.
• Thwart Fitting: Thwarts provide structural support and can be customised for various paddling configurations.
• Wooden Gunwales: Enhance the aesthetics and durability of your canoe with handcrafted wooden gunwales.
• A Range of Seats, Saddles and Hip Pads: To ensure maximum comfort and performance.

• Fitting and Supply of Sailing Thwarts and Yokes: For those looking to add sailing capabilities or improve solo carrying.

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Yes, we offer both full and half lacing options. Lacing provides secure attachment points for dry bags, gear, and other essentials, keeping your belongings organised and within reach.

Absolutely. We understand that comfort is paramount for long paddling trips. We offer a range of seating options, including adjustable seats and specialised saddles, and we can customise the fitting to your specific needs.

Yes, we offer handcrafted wooden gunwales as an upgrade option. Wooden gunwales enhance the aesthetics of your canoe and provide added durability.

Yes, we can supply and fit sailing thwarts to accommodate a sailing rig. Please contact us to discuss your sailing requirements.

Yes, we supply and fit yokes to make solo carrying more comfortable and efficient. We can advise on the best yoke placement for your canoe model.

Minor scratches can often be buffed out with a fine-grit sandpaper and a plastic polish. For deeper scratches, we recommend contacting our repair services for professional assistance. 

Storing your Silverbirch canoe properly is crucial for maintaining its shape and integrity over time. While our high-quality polyethylene materials offer excellent UV resistance, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can still cause fading and gradual degradation of any plastic. Therefore, it's essential to store your canoe in a cool, dry, and shaded area.

To store your canoe, take the following precautions to prevent hull deformation:

Support: Place padded supports beneath the canoe at multiple points along its length. Avoid placing the canoe directly on a flat surface, as this can cause the hull to flatten over time.

Orientation: storing the canoe on its side, or upside down is preferable to storing it right way up.

Ventilation: Ensure adequate ventilation around the canoe to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mould or mildew.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Store the canoe in a location where it won't be subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations, as this can cause the plastic to expand and contract.

If your canoe is fitted with wooden gunwales, it is important to treat these with a suitable wood oil prior to long term storage, and also to ensure that they are kept dry.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your Silverbirch canoe remains in excellent condition for years to come.

Store your canoe out of direct sunlight when not in use. UV radiation can cause fading and weaken the polyethylene over time. We also recommend using a UV protectant spray to further protect your canoe.

The average lead time for a custom-built Silverbirch canoe is approximately 45 days. However, this may vary slightly depending on the complexity of your customisation and our current production schedule. We will confirm the estimated lead time when you place your order.

Yes, we provide tracking information for all canoe shipments. You will receive an email with tracking details once your canoe has been dispatched.

We package canoes in polyethylene plastic to protect them during warehouse storage and delivery.

Want to reduce plastic waste? Customers can opt-out of plastic packaging at the time of order.

Prioritising durability: A long-lasting canoe is the most sustainable option.

Circular economy: Repairs, the Wonky Boat Scheme, and recycling initiatives keep materials in use.

Local manufacturing: UK-based production minimises transport emissions.

Yes! Every Silverbirch canoe is designed to be as eco-friendly as possible. However, we do not use recycled materials in hulls due to UV degradation and strength concerns.

Instead, all surplus plastic is recycled into underground tanks and ducts, where performance properties are less critical.

Repair First: We offer free plastic weld repairs at paddling events.

Wonky Boat Scheme: Factory rejects and damaged returns are restored and given to community projects.

Recycling: We are developing a take-back scheme for repurposing old boats.

Precision rotomoulding minimises excess material use.

Recycling offcuts into secondary plastic-based products.

Continuous improvements to reduce overall waste.

Local manufacturing reduces emissions.

Durability-first approach prevents waste from frequent replacements.

We are researching legitimate carbon offset initiatives.

Yes! We support projects that:

Protect and restore waterways.

Promote responsible paddling practices.

Encourage biodiversity in outdoor spaces.