Chestnut Pal Canoe Review - Rivers West

A newly completed review of the Chestnut Pal canoe. Last summer I drove from MN to NY to pick up this very sweet canoe that was almost being given away. The history of wood and canvas canoes is fascinating, and there are many old and newer examples of this construction method, which generally reversed the long used and awesome method of constructing birchbark canoes that have been made for thousands of years. While wood and canvas can be bit heavier than newer layups, sometimes the difference is not all that much. Here the Chestnut Pal exemplifies a sweet design, and one I can easily carry on portages. Today there are many awesome craftspeople carrying o the tradition! Check out the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association for more info.

[@donalddakota8069]

You are right about Bill Mason. He praised the prospector but his go to was a pal. Funny how people worry so much about canoe weight. I have a new wood canvas prospector, off original Chestnut form, from Headwaters canoe in Wakefield Quebec. They build very good canoes and they are built to be used alot. I know my wood canoe weighs less than my old Sawyer fiberglass. Anyways, glad you got a pal, enjoy it and use it!