Now kayaks outsell canoes, and you have many choices for either type of boat. Families are the number one purchasers of both canoes and kayaks, excluding whitewater kayaks. Women purchase almost 50 percent of our kayaks, and more than 50 percent of our canoe sales are initiated by women. We sell maybe 15 or 20 whitewater kayaks a year. With canoes, it's just the opposite.
Canoes tend to be a tandem market.
People like to paddle a canoe with a partner. The Schumachers sell with an eye for the best match of boat and owner. The purchase of a sea kayak entitles the customer to a free lesson in basic paddling skills, safety orientation, and rescue skills. No matter what type of boat we sell, we spend time talking with the customer to make sure they have life jackets, and paddles that match their ability and size. As far as we are concerned, anyone who climbs in a canoe or kayak should be wearing a life jacket, whether you are running rapids or paddling on flat water.