At Lincoln, our goal is to build the lightest and most durable Canoes & Kayaks possible, by using innovative designs, high-tech materials, and renowned Maine craftsmanship.  We have developed a unique line of strong, light, high-performance boats that are stable and very easy to handle. We use two laminating processes in the construction of our boats.

The first is a conventional, open-mold hand-lay process used almost universally by all manufacturers. This process allows us to produce a competitive canoe at an economical price.

The second process is ideal for those who desire a stronger and lighter boat.  These boats are built using Kevlar, or a combination of Kevlar and fiberglass. To take full advantage of the potential of these advanced materials, Lincoln developed the Paddle-Lite® process.

The Paddle-Lite® process is a unique vacuum-bag, resin-infusion process that allows us to use both modern and traditional materials in the manufacturing process. While some manufacturers claim to build Canoes and Kayaks under vacuum, they actually only vacuum the core and the last layer of material. In contrast, Lincoln's Paddle-Lite® Canoes & Kayaks, the entire boat is laminated under vacuum for the ultimate strength-to-weight ratio.

The resin infusion takes place after all layers of the boat are laid in the mold. This sequence allows us to carefully place all dry materials in their proper place without the normal restrictions of a fast resin curing time. After all the materials are laid in the mold, we apply a vacuum bag over the entire layup. With the bag in place, we then infuse a special vinylester resin into the Kevlar fabric. No excess resin is allowed to build up which means no extra weight need burden your shoulders.

Time Lapse of Building a Kevlar Kayak

The Paddle-Lite® process is why Lincoln's Paddle-Lite® Canoes & Kayaks are stronger and lighter than any other Canoes and Kayaks built today. The Paddle-Lite® process makes Lincoln the undisputed leader in modern lightweight Canoe and Kayak construction!

Lincoln's innovative hull designs are developed by experts in the field, each having many years of racing, touring and building experience. Lincoln builds Canoes and Kayaks using Shallow-Arch, V-Arch and Shallow-V hull designs, each developed for a particular type of performance.

Lincoln offers a wide variety of materials. Your choice depends on the type of use your boat will see.