Valkyrie Craft:

Canoes and Classic Boats

FAQs

All of Valkyrie craft canoes are transportable on a car fitted with suitable roof bars.  When carrying a canoe on a car roof it is very important to use suitable straps or ties that are in good condition.  For added safety the canoe should also be tied down to the front and back of the car.

The fibreglass material is strong and durable in itself.  It is used commercially in a wide range of applications including fishing boats, yachts, day sailing boats and dinghies.  Like any material, the high shine finish will dull over time depending on both the general level of care taken and the environment the boat is stored in.  Carried with reasonable care and launched on the water (not dragged down the slipway!!) the boats retain a fine look for years.

Yes.  Our workshop is only a matter of minutes from the River Bann and we are happy to arrange a time for you to take a boat out.  Occasionally we arrange for boats to be tried out during outings with the CCKA also.

All of our seats are made by us.  Choice of seat essentially depends on the use it is put to.  In general we fit solid timber or slat seats for the Erne Tourer due to its wide beam and would recommend the same seats in other boats for people who intend lots of hard wear and soaking.  For more leisurely users cane seats look nicest but have a shorter life span than webbing seats, however replacements can be purchased in the future if required.

A glancing blow or scrape along the material will leave a scratch/ abrasion mark that shows white against the hull colour.  A direct blow can damage the material but it is relatively easy to repair using resin and fibreglass cloth.  Valkyrie craft can do these repairs or advise on doing them yourself - if needed, John would be happy to talk this process through over the phone.

This is a difficult question to answer in a small space since both materials come in a range of forms and qualities so a direct comparison is likely to be simplistic.  However as a general summary fibreglass canoes are lighter than standard plastic boats.  A fibreglass boat will tend to run on the water better due to its high shine surface finish.  Both materials are abraded by rough treatment or scratches and scrapes over rocks and gravel which will increase surface drag making them slower and 'heavier' in the water.  However where plastic scratches tend to result in 'curls' of plastic, fibreglass scrapes tend to be cleaner and therefore produce less drag.  Fibreglass boats definitely are less robust in white-water conditions, but a serious spill in any boat can result in a pinning and potential ruin no matter what the material.  Fibreglass can be fairly easily repaired as covered in a previous FAQ whereas plastic punctures and splits are more difficult to repair well and will need professional attention.  Both materials exposed to the elements for long periods become brittle and less able to cope with damage.

All of the boats are finished in quality yacht varnish.  A minimum of three coats are applied with four coats on heavy wear and exposed areas and six coats on the hull of the cedar strip boats.  All deck surfaces are first reinforced with fibreglass prior to varnishing.

Delivery can be arranged.  In each case the most cost efficient means is used.  To most areas of Ireland the cost is around £50.  Delivery to the UK can be as low as £50 but this depends on the specific location.

The lifespan of any wood is dependant on its subsequent treatment.  Even without any maintenance the timberwork will remain serviceable for many years.  Reasonable care coupled with sanding and re-varnishing every few years will greatly extend both the life of the timberwork and enhance its appearance.  As an interesting aside, in 1989 an oak canoe was pulled out of the ground in County Clare that was dated to 1550BC!!!!  Not one of ours but probably not finished in quality yacht varnish!!

We are happy to look at damage to fibreglass and wooden boats and make repairs where this is feasible.  Cost of any repair is based on the materials and the labour required.  Prior to doing any work we will provide a quote and ensure that you are sure you wish to proceed.  If subsequent inspection whilst the work is underway reveals that the damage is more significant or requires more time we will contact you and indicate the problems before proceeding further.

We can replace gunnels on plastic boats.  Essentially we fit the same ash gunnels and decks that we use on our own boats.  In some cases these have to be modified to fit and seal the double skin of some plastic boats.  The cost of this process depends on the amount of additional work required but usually costs in the vicinity of £150.00 for materials and labour.