From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Royalex is a composite material , comprising an outer layer of vinyl and hard acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS) and an inner layer of ABS foam. The layers are bonded by heat treatment. It is used for manufacture of durable, mid-priced canoes.
How do you know if a canoe is Royalex?
When examining a Royalex canoe, look for creases or wrinkles running up and down the hull , which can indicate if it has been wrapped and then punched out. If there are new-looking skid plates, take a look at the boat from the inside to determine if they may be hiding damage.
Is a Royalex canoe good?
Royalex® is a highly durable canoe material that is strong, flexible, and abrasion-resistant. Royalex canoes are incredibly tough. This makes them the ideal choice for sportsmen, whitewater paddlers, families and kids, or anybody who wants a very durable canoe.
How long will a Royalex canoe last?
A Canoe will usually last for about 10-15 years before it needs major repairs or to be replaced.
Is Royalex the same as Kevlar?
Royalex is also less sensitive to U.V. ... So if you are looking for a durable canoe that is lighter and more affordable than the more expensive Kevlar and Carbon canoes, Royalex is a great option. Kevlar Canoes. Lightweight with extreme performance capabilities would some up the benefits of a Kevlar Canoe.
Why is Royalex discontinued?
In 2013, plastics company PolyOne, of Avon Lake, Ohio purchased Spartech, and decided to shut down Royalex production due to its low volume . The last sheets of Royalex were shipped from the factory in December, 2013.
Is a canoe or kayak better?
While a canoe is undoubtedly harder to capsize than a kayak — though they're both pretty stable, honestly — a kayak has the advantage of being able to be righted in the event of a rollover. ... In general, canoes are wider and more stable than kayaks, but kayaks are faster and easier to maneuver.
Which canoe material is best?
Royalex . For years Royalex has been the go-to material for most casual canoe buyers. Lighter than polyethylene and with more variety of design than aluminum, Royalex is essentially a plastic sandwich made of layers of vinyl, plastic and rigid foam.
What is Tformex?
T-Formex is a high tech ABS plastic laminate , specially designed for products that require structural memory and a resistance to abrasion and impacts. These characteristics make it the best choice for canoes. When we produce T-Formex we build it in sheets and these sheets of material are baked in an oven.
Can you wax a Royalex canoe?
To beautify, we suggest a vinyl protectant product such as Armor All®, 303 Products or Pledge. These are safe for use on any of our Polyethylene, Superlinear, Royalex® and Fiberglass canoes or kayaks. We do not recommend waxing your hull with a paste wax, such as most car waxes.
How long does an Old Town canoe last?
HOW LONG DOES COVERAGE LAST? The hull and deck of any Old Town canoe and kayak products are covered the lifetime of the boat from the Consumer's original purchase date . For blemished boats or those marked as BLEMS, the hull and deck are covered (5) five years from Consumer's original purchase date.
Is Royalex heavier than fiberglass?
Compared to Fiberglass and Kevlar composites, these canoes are heavier , but far more resilient to impact and abrasion. Some Royalex hulls are designed for whitewater and dangerous rapids. ... If damaged, a Royalex hull is difficult to repair. Best to consult a canoe shop for a professional repair.
What has replaced Royalex?
When the supply of Royalex dried up years ago, Arkansas-based canoe makers who rely on the material found themselves up a creek without a paddle. But these days, with the help of Canadian canoe company Esquif's replacement product dubbed T-Formex , two Northwest Arkansas canoe makers are back in business.
How do you tell if a canoe is fiberglass or Kevlar?
If there's damage the kevlar will “fuzz up” and look like felt material. Fiberglass will break off and grind smooth . In the end, a nice kevlar boat will be easily identified by weight, color, and construction.
Are kayaks made of fiberglass?
Composite: Fiberglass , aramid, carbon fiber kayaks
Composite kayaks include those made from laminates of fiberglass, aramid, carbon fiber, or a blending of these and other high-tech fabrics, with some adding foam or honeycomb cores. ... Fiberglass tape and resin join the deck and the hull together.
What is Oltonar?
In the early 1970s the company began using Royalex in canoe manufacture (called “Oltonar” by Old Town for many years), an ABS composite plastic . This successfully competed with aluminum and fibre glass canoe makers who nearly put many of the handcrafted wood and canvas builders out of business.
