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The Billington
Over the years we have received many requests for a canoe which
was designed with the family outing in mind. Among other
parameters, this canoe had to have a great deal of carrying
capacity, be very stable and be capable of a seat in the bow, stern
and center. A surprising number of customers wanted to be able to
bring the family dog along. The challenge was to be able to create
this canoe and still have a designed that could be controlled by one
person. I know from experience that family paddling usually means
the person in the back does most of the paddling.
Above all, if we were going to design this canoe it could not simply
be a big tub weighing in at about 100 lbs that would move with
enough brute force.
was designed with the family outing in mind. Among other
parameters, this canoe had to have a great deal of carrying
capacity, be very stable and be capable of a seat in the bow, stern
and center. A surprising number of customers wanted to be able to
bring the family dog along. The challenge was to be able to create
this canoe and still have a designed that could be controlled by one
person. I know from experience that family paddling usually means
the person in the back does most of the paddling.
Above all, if we were going to design this canoe it could not simply
be a big tub weighing in at about 100 lbs that would move with
enough brute force.
Well, we think we nailed it with "The Billington".
Even as we were finishing up the prototype, I continued to be skeptical on the ability of one person to
handle the canoe and around the shop, talk of putting a center keel in the design was kicked around
more than once. After much discussion, we all decided that a keel could be added after tests were
run.
Boy am I glad we didn't put the keel in. This boat went well past any of our expectations. It handled
very well with a solo paddler, drew less than 2" of water with a 215 lb paddler and displayed such
stability that sitting up in the seats which were mounted directly to the gunwales was completely
comfortable.
Even as we were finishing up the prototype, I continued to be skeptical on the ability of one person to
handle the canoe and around the shop, talk of putting a center keel in the design was kicked around
more than once. After much discussion, we all decided that a keel could be added after tests were
run.
Boy am I glad we didn't put the keel in. This boat went well past any of our expectations. It handled
very well with a solo paddler, drew less than 2" of water with a 215 lb paddler and displayed such
stability that sitting up in the seats which were mounted directly to the gunwales was completely
comfortable.
To make sure this boat had a bit of style, we
designed in up-sweeping stems with re-curve for a
distinctive profile. This is pictured to the right.
From the pictures above, you may be able to notice
the tumblehome designed into the sides that continue
all the way to the gunwale. this was not done as a
performance feature as it is not anticipated that you
will be rolling this canoe in waves or rivers but simply
because it looks good.
designed in up-sweeping stems with re-curve for a
distinctive profile. This is pictured to the right.
From the pictures above, you may be able to notice
the tumblehome designed into the sides that continue
all the way to the gunwale. this was not done as a
performance feature as it is not anticipated that you
will be rolling this canoe in waves or rivers but simply
because it looks good.
If you are looking for a family canoe that the dog can come along in, this is a very good choice.
Finished hull weight @ 50 lbs
Max width at gunwale = 34 1/4"
Depth at middle = 13"
Length overall = 16'
Capacity = 800lbs comfortably
Max width at gunwale = 34 1/4"
Depth at middle = 13"
Length overall = 16'
Capacity = 800lbs comfortably
