Wenonah Canoes and Kayaks Too

Our friends down in Winona, Minnesota are keeping busy building Wenonah Canoes and Kayaks.  It’s been a few years since we visited them and saw their operation first hand but the memory is fresh in my mind.  It was like a child in Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory but minus the smell of candy.  It was so fun to see the process of canoe and kayak making first hand.

We love Wenonah canoes and kayaks for taking Boundary Waters canoe camping trips and are happy to support a Minnesota company at Voyageur Canoe Outfitters.

Building adventures: Workers at Wenonah Canoe craft kayaks for outdoor enthusiasts

Made in Winona
October 27, 2013 12:00 am  •  By Andrew Link

Hidden behind the big box stores on Winona’s east end is a starting point for an outdoor adventure.

At Wenonah Canoe, kayaks are made with molds and assembled by hand, one at a time. The kayaks reveal the brands Current Designs and QCC Kayaks, but are part of the Wenonah Canoe family.

The companies offer two types of boats: rotomold, which are highly durable and affordable, and composites, light-weight models built for speed in flat water. A staff of 35 to 40 produce the quality, light-weight kayaks from starting mold to finished assembly.

The composite kayaks are made to order with more than 4 million custom combinations to choose from. Each have about 40 hours of individual craftsmanship put into them.

Whether for a whitewater adventure or a relaxing lake paddle, Current Designs and QCC Kayaks have a boat to satisfy kayakers all over the world.

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