Well, does it exist or is it just a "Grainy" photo like a picture of Bigfoot (LOL)? Did Wenonah really find some and make boats with it? Your thoughts IF it really was there? Have a great weekend!

Haha. Wondering the same. Please someone look and snag some photos?

Did not talk to anyone at Wenonah but saw nothing new. Bell did have a demo "Inegra" section and a 3 pound mash hammer to bash it with, big boom in the hall! Grey/black weave a few pounds heavier than Kevlar per canoe depending on layup. Swift is on hand first time but very busy. Will be looking more today.

butthead

Yes Wenonah had a Prospector in T-Formex. According to the person I talked to molded in the same mold used for Royalex. Weighs the same, is as stiff as the original Royalex, a bit stiffer than the last several runs of Royalex material sheets.



butthead

Butthead beat me to posting a pic. They are not shipping t-formex canoes yet.

The Wenonah FB page had a demo video at Canoecopia regarding T Formex Friday morning. I just took a glance earlier today. Most of my canoe looking time was a Northstar. I got a great tutorial from Neil on the best way to install the Carbon foot brace for my Northwind17.

That canoe at 'Copia was four days old. They made it the same day they got the material.

I looked at it, and the canoe looked great! Very stiff. I tried to flex the side and it would not flex much, if any at all. Looks just like Royalex, and it seems to me it would be a very good substitute. Nice smooth interior, and the exterior was totally smooth.

All that being said, I have only seen Royalex canoes in the past. Never paddled one. Didn't try to pick up the one at the show today, so I have no info on the weight.

Tomster

Thanks folks. Not quite on the scale of Sasquatch, as this seems to exist in a rare form. Maybe more like the Ivory Bill Woodpecker circa 2005. Seems like T Formex might happen. Maybe I'll stop hoarding Royalex, but not yet ;)

quote quark2222: "...Didn't try to pick up the one at the show today, so I have no info on the weight."

But, in general, where does this miracle material rank with the others on the range of pounds per square foot? Anyone with a table of all (?) available materials?

The video on the canoecopia and wenonah Facebook pages says that it is being marketed as a 1:1 replacement of Royalex. Presumably the weights will be in the ballpark.
T Formex At Canoecopia

Forgot to mention Esquif. They had about 6 models molded with T-Formex on display.

butthead

I asked about T-Formex at the Wenonah booth and was told that Wenonah has been shipping boats to stores. He said that they are able to use the same molds that were used for Royalex. He went on to say that Wenonah has contracted to receive all of the first years production of T-Formex and that they are expecting strong demand for the T-Formex boats.

Wenonah had their models Prospector, Adrironack, and Spirit II in T Format. They said that is all the models they are making for now, but plan to make all their past royalex models in T Formed in the future.

quote KarlBAndersen1: "That canoe at 'Copia was four days old. They made it the same day they got the material."

WOW, THAT was pushing it (LOL)! Thanks everyone for the info, and thanks for the pictures, butthead!

Sounds like it's a bit stiffer than royalex too? That would be even better, IMHO, as long as it doesn't warp like poly? My royalex Prospector should be fine for years, but my nephews whom I'm getting into paddling will need their own boats one day. Plus, I'd like to see companies like Esquif and Mohawk still produce boats. I'm hopeful that this will make a good replacement for royalex? Because as much as I like composite canoes and have used them on the river, Ozark streams just love to "Eat" composites. You can be careful, but every once in awhile you scrape to a halt. Poly canoes work well but, besides being heavy, they warp. It's never a matter of "If," but "When." Look at the liveries, some are so hogbacked, it looks like they were stored wrapped around a barrel? I hope T-formex is the "Real deal" to replace royalex?

Thanks again!

ozarkpaddler, Esquif is certainly making them in T-Formex, sorry no photo but they had a rack of them and 2 other racks of canoes on display.
Nova craft is apparently keeping with Toughstuff, Inegra/BlueSteel layup, for now.

butthead

DP.

butthead

I believe Esquif is the mfr of T formex..
I hope it succeeds.. We have lots more Esquifs in my neck of the woods than Wenonahs but if the other makers have to buy from Esquif that makes them more secure. Its been a long time coming.

quote yellowcanoe: "I believe Esquif is the mfr of T formex..
I hope it succeeds.. We have lots more Esquifs in my neck of the woods than Wenonahs but if the other makers have to buy from Esquif that makes them more secure. Its been a long time coming."

I too hope Esquif makes a go of it, they're good folks. You have to give them kudos for trying so hard!

Sorry, lots of double posts lately?