The Chestnut Canoe Company introduced the Bob Special to meet the demand for a lightweight canoe equally at home on solo day trips and casual tandem paddles. Its wider-than-average beam delivers exceptional stability, while the optimized hull shape keeps it surprisingly quick on the water.
Our version builds on the original Chestnut design with refinements for improved speed and seaworthiness. It excels as a tandem day-tripper with enough capacity for a weekend load, and it truly shines when paddled solo by a confident paddler. The Bob Special strikes a rare balance — approachable for beginners, rewarding for experts.
Made in Canada.
Construction: TuffStuff
TuffStuff is a proprietary composite woven from basalt and Innegra fibers — basalt derived from melted volcanic rock, Innegra from high-performance polypropylene. Infused with a high-impact vinylester resin system, the result is a hull that is light, stiff, and exceptionally tough. An ideal choice for extended flatwater tripping where durability matters as much as weight.
Specifications
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Length: 15′ / 457 cm
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Width: 35″ / 88.9 cm
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Center Depth: 14″ / 35.6 cm
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End Depth: 21″ / 53.3 cm
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Capacity: 800 lb / 363 kg
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Weight (TuffStuff): 50 lb / 22.7 kg
Weights are based on year-long production averages and may vary.
Hull Design
- Symmetrical hull
- Shallow arch bottom
- Slight rocker with raised ends
