About Us

Orca Boats offers you years of experience custom building wooden canoes and wooden kayaks. We believe that every boat we build should exceed the customer's unique vision for their craft. We promise to turn your “Paddling Dreams into Reality”.

Our goal is to give you the opportunity to own your own custom, wood strip canoe or kayak by either building it for you or instructing you on how to build it yourself. We work closely with you to determine your paddling needs and what your vision is. We discuss options, features and the benefits of each. Whether you are a novice paddler or an experienced enthusiast, we ensure the right fit for you. All our wooden boats are built one at a time to your wishes and specifications. We won't sell you what you don't need. If our current designs do not suit you, we will assist you in your search to find one that does and then build it for you.

In mass produced boats, you are often required to give up one feature for another in your search for a suitable canoe or kayak. With our boats, all decisions are yours. We can adjust sizes, lengths and add or subtract features.

Benefits:

• Control in decisions
• Choice in color and accessories
• Guaranteed comfort
• Less weight than other materials
• Custom sizing to fit every customer
• Fulfilling your dream to own a unique piece of art

Control means your choice regarding:

• Color of wood used for decks and gunwales in canoes
• Type and placement of seats in canoes
• Type and color of carrying thwart
• Weight and placement of fiberglass cloth
• Pattern of wood in hull and decks that creates uniqueness
• Keels and stem bands for protection
• Carrying straps and handles
• Placement of foot braces
• Safety features
• Cockpit and hatch sizes in kayaks

The Construction Process

All Orca Boats (unless specifically requested) are constructed using a “stapleless” strip building method in which only the finest “edge grain” cedar strips and hardwoods are used. Without nails, staples or brads, no residual holes or marks are left on the final product when nails or staples are removed.

Each boat begins with individual cedar strips being applied to a custom frame. By using different colors and types of wood, your unique pattern is created. We have created some of the most unique deck designs. Each customer's features and requirements are taken into consideration throughout the building process and adjustments are made to suit you. The wooden boat is covered in fiberglass cloth and top quality epoxy resin is applied. Resins used are strong, flexible and durable. Each boat is hand finished with a quality marine “spar” varnish, which protects the boat from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

For information on construction materials and kit supplies, Contact Us.

Where did we get the names of our boats?

The resident Orcas (Killer Whales) of the west coast of Canada and the Northern States have long been the symbol of freedom, majesty, and legend. Known as skilled hunters, these playful mammals are soon becoming an endangered species with the encroachment of civilization and tourism. To honor these beautiful creatures of our coast, Orca Boats has decided to name all our kayak designs after Orcas that have captured the hearts of British Columbians and the world over.

“Luna” (L98) resided in the wild in Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island . Having been separated from his pod in 2001, Luna managed to survive on his own; however, he had become overly friendly with tourist boats, recreational boaters and the residents of Gold River and became the topic of much controversy. This over interaction with humans was detrimental to his well-being.

In the winter of 2006, Luna was killed in a tragic accident with a tug boat.

“Springer” (A73) has a similar story. Separated and orphaned from her pod off the coast of northern Washington State in the United States , Springer was successfully re-united with her extended family in Johnstone Strait , British Columbia on July 14, 2003 . Much of the world watched as she was released from her special enclosure to swim and hunt with her family again.

“Skana”, originally named “Walter”, was caught off the Washington State coast in 1979 and brought to Vancouver for the annual Boat Show. The Vancouver Aquarium purchased the whale and when it was realized that he was a she, they renamed her “Skana”. Skana soon became the Aquarium's star attraction. At the time of her death at age 18 in 1980, Skana held the record as the longest living Orca in captivity.

“Hyak” was captured along with another Orca in 1980 in Pender Harbour , B.C. by a commercial fisherman and was also purchased and brought to the Vancouver Aquarium. Hyak would be Skana's companion until her death. Hyak died of a lung infection at age 26 at the Vancouver Aquarium in 1991.

“Bjossa” arrived from Iceland and was introduced to the Aquarium in December of 1980 to replace Skana. During her long stay in Vancouver , Bjossa twice gave birth to calves fathered by Hyak. The first, named K'yosha, was removed from Bjossa after three weeks since she was not able to sustain feedings. The calf died two months later from a massive brain infection. Late in the 1990's, public pressure caused the Vancouver Aquarium to re-evaluate its policies on capturing and maintaining Orcas in captivity. In 2001 it was decided that since a mate could not be found for Bjossa, she was to be transferred to San Diego 's Sea World. The transfer took place on April 18, 2001 . Unfortunately, following a long illness, Bjossa died later that year on October 9 th , 2001 at the age of 25

Kiska ” was captured of the coast of Iceland in the winter of 1979. She currently lives at Marineland in Ontario , Canada and currently weighs in at over 6500 lbs. Named after the island “Kiska” in the Aleutian group of islands of Alaska .

For more information on Orcas in captivity or Orcas in general, contact the Vancouver Aquarium at www.vanaqua.org or visit www.orca-live.net to view live Orcas and listen to them without disturbing their natural habitat.