Kevlar Skid Plates for Your Canoe or Kayak

If you spend enough time paddling around Muskoka or Algonquin Park, eventually your canoe is going to collect a few bumps and bruises. Rocky shorelines, shallow rivers, sandy beaches, and rough portages all wear away at the bow and stern of a canoe over time. Around the shop we call it “shoreline rash,” and it’s one of the most common types of wear we see every paddling season.

That’s where Kevlar skid plates come in.

Think of skid plates as protective bumpers for your canoe or kayak. They’re installed on the bow and stern of composite boats to help absorb abrasion and impacts before the hull itself starts taking damage. Skid plates can be added to both new and used canoes, and they’re a great way to extend the life of your boat while keeping it looking clean and well maintained.

Kevlar skid plates are made from lightweight Kevlar felt saturated with resin. Once cured, they create a strong, durable protective layer designed to handle rocky landings and repeated wear. At Johnny’s Boat Shop, we install skid plates on fiberglass, Kevlar, carbon fibre, and Royalex canoes and kayaks. Every hull material requires a slightly different installation process, and we tailor the repair to match your specific boat.

Some paddlers choose to install skid plates on a brand new canoe as preventative protection. Others wait until they start noticing chips, cracks, or worn gelcoat along the stems. Both approaches work well, and skid plates are often one of the most cost-effective ways to repair and reinforce worn ends on an older canoe.

At the end of every season, we always recommend flipping your boat over and inspecting the bow and stern closely. If you notice abrasion, exposed material, or cracking, it’s a good time to repair the damage before it spreads further.

Whenever possible, we tint the skid plates to closely match the colour of your canoe at no extra charge. We also pay close attention to maintaining the lightweight feel and balance of your boat so it still performs the way it should on the water.

At Johnny’s Boat Shop, we take pride in clean, professional installations with quick turnaround times whenever possible. We know paddling season in Ontario is short, and every day on the water matters.