Are you looking for an aluminum canoe? Aluminum canoes have mostly fallen out of popularity due to the introduction of cheaper and lighter materials, such as Kevlar, fiberglass, and rotomolded plastic.
However, many people still prefer them. Aluminum canoes are often incredibly affordable for the value they offer. Contrary to popular belief, aluminum canoes are often lightweight.
Nowadays, many manufacturers use thin aluminum metal to ensure that aluminum canoes are no longer heavyweight vessels. These canoes are best used in calm waters.
They can get dented when crashing against rocks, so it’s best not to use them on whitewater.
Of course, you should also avoid using them in a thunderstorm, as they pose a risk when lightning strikes due to the conductivity of metal. In this article, I will show you the 17 best aluminum canoes on the market, so read on!
Quick Summary
Some of the best aluminum canoes include:
- Grumman 1350C, 1550C, 1750C, 1550CS, & 1750CS
- Osagian 12 SOLO.1, 15 STD.2, 17 STD, 17 STDX, 16 FMX.2, & 17 FMX.3
- Waterstream S-11, S-15, & X-13
- Michicraft L-12
- Radisson Canoe 14-foot Square Stern & Wide Transom Canoes
For the full list, as well as the features and pros and cons of each, continue reading!
Best Aluminum Canoes
1. Grumman 1350C 13-foot Double-Ender Canoe
Grumman is probably the biggest name in aluminum canoe manufacturing. Aluminum canoes exploded in popularity after the second world war, when aluminum was king.
This was before other materials, like fiberglass, became popular alternatives for building canoes. At the time, these cheaper and more convenient (in terms of weight and maintenance) materials were not yet around.
Grumman was the largest producer of carrier fighter planes during the war. After the war, it used the same aluminum it used to produce its planes to produce its famous canoes as well, starting with a 13-foot canoe.
Now, years later, Grumman still sells high-quality aluminum canoes. However, since the demand for aluminum canoes is not so high nowadays, all of its canoes are made to order instead of being mass manufactured.
That means that you can expect to wait a bit longer for your canoe to be built and ready. Once it is ready, it can be picked up from a Grumman factory.
Shipping can also be arranged to your location. The Grumman 1350C 13-foot Double-Ender Canoe is a 13-foot canoe with a width of about 35 inches and a center depth of around 13 inches.
It has three ribs and a standard keel. It has a weight capacity of 585 pounds. Despite being an aluminum canoe, it weighs a mere 58 pounds, making it easy to transport.
The material this canoe is made of is age-hardened, stretch-formed aluminum alloy.
2. Grumman 1550C 15-foot Double-Ender Canoe
For something a bit larger, check out the Grumman 1550C, which is a 15-foot canoe made of stretch-formed aluminum alloy.
It has an arched hull and keel to improve stability, tracking, and overall performance. It weighs just 69 pounds, making it a great lightweight option.
It has three ribs. The ribs and added thwarts and gunwales are Grumman’s trademarks, and they add extra rigidity and stiffness to the canoe, ensuring it is durable and almost indestructible.
This canoe has a width of around 35 inches and a center depth of around 12 inches. Like other Grumman canoes, it is made to order.
3. Grumman 1750C 17-foot Double-Ender Canoe
If you need an even larger canoe, try the Grumman 1750C, which is a 17-foot double-ender canoe. At around 36 inches wide and with a center depth of around 13 inches, this 17-foot canoe offers plenty of space for you, your buddies, and your gear.
It is great for fishing, recreational use, and touring expeditions. It has a massive weight capacity of 755 pounds, making it perfect for three anglers plus gear.
Furthermore, it weighs just 75 pounds, so it won’t be too difficult to carry around. You can even get it in custom colors instead of the drag gray you might expect from an aluminum canoe.
Custom colors include black, burgundy, sea foam, hunter green, insignia blue, and olive drab. Like other Grumman canoes, it is designed and manufactured entirely in the United States, in Grumman’s headquarters in Marathon, NY.
4. Grumman 1750CS 17-foot Square Stern Canoe
The Grumman 1750CS is a bit different from the canoes we have seen from Grumman so far. All the canoes we have seen so far are double-ender canoes, meaning they have the same shape on both ends.
This canoe, on the other hand, has a square stern. The advantage here is that you can fit a motor on this canoe. You can also simply paddle it without a motor.
The choice is yours! It weighs only 85 pounds, so you can transport it on your roof racks without any difficulty. If you do have trouble lifting it, you can always get a lift-assist system.
Due to the lightweight nature of this canoe, you won’t have to worry about purchasing a separate trailer, although it’s always an option if you prefer it.
5. Grumman 1550CS 15-foot Canoe and Sportboat
This 1550CS 15-foot canoe and sport boat from Grumman has wide, comfortable seats. It also features a bulb-T keel and a square stern.
It can handle a 7HP motor, saving you the trouble of paddling. Enjoy your time on the water with an efficient motor that allows you to avoid strenuous exercise.
This three-in-one boat can be used in three ways: paddling, rowing, and with a motor. It has 10 ribs, a lot more than most other Grumman boats.
It is pretty wide, too, with a width of 43 inches. It has a center depth of 14 inches. It weighs a bit more than other Grumman canoes, though, coming in at 122 pounds. It has a weight capacity of 450 pounds.
6. Osagian 12 SOLO.1
The Osagian 12 SOLO.1 is a sort of hybrid between a solo canoe and a kayak, giving you the best of both worlds. It is paddled like a kayak, but the overall outer design is like a canoe, offering excellent stability that won’t tip over.
It also has buoyancy built in on both sides to prevent sinking. Furthermore, there are two carry handles to make it easy to carry this canoe without a kayak cart.
It’s a single person canoe, so if you are looking for a canoe that can fit two or more people, it’s not the right choice. But, if you enjoy canoeing by yourself, it’s an excellent option.
Osagian canoes are handmade in Denmark and in the US. This canoe is made of high-quality aluminum. It has a seat with a backrest, unlike most canoes, allowing for a comfortable ride.
It even boasts footrests to make things even more comfortable. These footrests are adjustable to fit your height. Furthermore, it has a luggage strap to help secure your luggage behind the seat.
7. Osagian 15 STD.2
The Osagian 15 STD.2 can fit two adults and one child. It comes with two fixed seats and offers the option of adding an extra seat on the crossbars for a child.
Alternatively, you can fit a dog or some luggage. Overall, it is an affordable canoe for family adventures. It is still small, lightweight, and great for beginners.
Despite being able to fit three people, it can be paddled by just one person. The design of the canoe is interesting. The front and back ends are a bit lower than the rest of the canoe.
That increases stability by increasing resistance to heavy winds.
8. Osagian 17 STD
The Osagian 17 STD is a 17-foot canoe that comes with either two or three fixed seats, depending on the version. You can also add additional loose seats to fit one or two children.
It is a large and very stable canoe. It is perfect for family outings with mom, dad, and two kids. The Osagian 17 STD is also pretty lightweight, making it easy to transport on the roof of your vehicle.
Furthermore, it has plenty of space for cargo, making it a useful fishing canoe as well. Due to its stability, it’s great for long expeditions, including camping trips, as well.
9. Osagian 17 STDX
The Osagian 17 STDX is an extra-wide 17-foot canoe. It comes with two or three seats, and you can add one or two loose seats in addition to the fixed seats.
In total, you can have up to four people (three adults and one child or two adults and two children) on this canoe. Although all Osagian canoes are made to be stable, the added width of this canoe makes it virtually unsinkable.
If you are worried about your family’s safety, its stability makes it a great choice. Of course, you should still make sure that your entire family is wearing life jackets.
Due to the wide nature of this canoe, it’s best for calm, still waters. I would not recommend taking it into choppy waters.
10. Osagian 16 FMX.2
The Osagian FMX.2 is the premier canoe for fishing. It is 16 feet long and comes with two fixed seats. Although it has two seats, it is perfect for solo fishing adventures as well, as it can be paddled by just one person.
Not only can it be paddled, though, but you can attach a motor to this canoe as well. That makes it easier for you to get around. It has plenty of space for your fishing gear, tackle boxes, and catches.
11. Osagian 17 FMX.3
The 17 FMX.3 is another great fishing canoe from Osagian. It has three fixed seats but also provides space for a dog. It is pretty lightweight, despite its size.
It can be paddled easily, or you can attach a motor. The 17 FMX.3 is incredibly stable, making it perfect for beginners as well. It is highly durable and will last you for a long time.
12. Waterstream S-11 Square Stern Canoe
This S-11 Square Stern Canoe is made of hardened, stretch-form aircraft aluminum. However, it is also lined with ethafoam. One of the problems with aluminum canoes is that they tend to be very loud.
However, the ethafoam lining allows you to enjoy all the benefits of an aluminum canoe while also enjoying a quiet paddling experience. The canoe is incredibly stable. It was designed for fishing and hunting.
It comes with a gunwale bench stern seat and a foam porta seat in the bow. However, these are interchangeable. You can choose between both types of seats on both the stern and the bow.
For example, you can have a gunwale bench seat on both the stern and bow. Just choose the option you want from the drop-down menu.
One of the great things about this canoe is how customizable it is. We saw how you can customize which seats you get, but you can also customize the color, touch-up paint, and more.
13. Waterstream S-15 Square Stern Canoe
The S-15 Square Stern Canoe is a stable, 15-foot canoe that can float even when it is filled with water. It’s designed to allow you or your dog to climb in and out of the water without tipping over.
Lined with ethafoam, it provides a quieter and more enjoyable experience. The S-15 is designed for hunting and fishing. It’s also great for recreational use and long camping trips.
There is a seat in the front and another in the back, and for each one, you can choose between a gunwale seat and a porta foam seat. You can also add paddle locks when you place your order.
14. Waterstream X-13 Wide Transom Canoe
The X-13 Wide Transom Canoe is a great option if you like hunting or fishing. Made of hardened aluminum, the X-13 has a wide, flat bottom to promote stability.
It is lined with ethafoam, which not only helps it stay afloat but also ensures you can have a quiet canoeing experience. The canoe comes with a gunwale mounted padded bench seat in the stern and a foam porta seat in the bow.
As with other Waterstream canoes available on DirectBoats, though, you can select which seats you want. In addition, while there is no middle seat by default, you can add a middle seat in addition to the front and back seats.
You can add a porta foam seat or a bench in either a rowing or paddle position. You can also add an aluminum boat dolly with air tires as an add-on when purchasing the canoe.
A boat dolly is a small transportation device that makes it easier to transport canoes and other small vessels.
15. Michicraft L-12
The Michicraft L-12 is a 12-foot canoe. It has a square stern. Despite weighing just 54 pounds, making it an incredibly lightweight vessel, it has a whopping weight capacity of 690 pounds.
That makes it an excellent choice if you are looking for a good weight to load capacity ratio. It has three ribs. It can fit a motor with a max horsepower of three. It can also fit up to four people.
16. Radisson Canoe 14-foot Square Stern Canoe With Web Seats
The Radisson Canoe 14-foot Square Stern Canoe is made of aluminum, but it has a 2.5 percent magnesium content as well. This magnesium content adds a bit of elasticity to the canoe.
It has several benefits, but most of all, the magnesium helps fortify the canoe so that it is resistant to punctures and damages. It weighs only 41 pounds.
Nevertheless, it has a weight capacity of up to 800 pounds, giving it one of the best weight to load capacity ratios on the market.
The Radisson Canoe 14-foot Square Stern Canoe can carry up to three people. It can handle a motor with a 3 HP rating.
17. Radisson 14-foot Wide Transom Canoe With Web Seats
If you’re looking for something wide and stable, try the Radisson 14-foot Wide Transom Canoe. It has a wide hull and foam side sponsors, which make this canoe one of the most stable canoes you will find.
Made of aluminum, it comes with three keels. This canoe can transport up to three people. It has a weight capacity of 614 pounds, but the canoe itself only weighs 56 pounds.
This canoe has a max horsepower rating of 2 HP. You can attach a motor with that or a lower horsepower rating, or you can just paddle it.
Conclusion
Aluminum canoes are harder to find than in the past, but they’re great options if you want something with a rugged feel. They are quite lightweight most of the time and still have a high load capacity.
If you don’t mind the noise, an aluminum canoe is a great choice. And, if you do mind the noise but still want an aluminum canoe, we’ve listed some quieter options as well!
