However, if you can get a good Kevlar composite canoe for the cost of a Royalex one, you may do very well to consider the bargain that is available today, but be sure to invest in a gel coat repair kit and learn from some one who has used a repair kit in the past. Like aluminum, fiberglass has been around a long time as a material for canoes. The fiberglass canoes of twenty and thirty years ago have given way to a whole new breed of materials that are integrated with other fibers including Dacron and carbon fiber. A top of the line fiberglass canoe reinforced with Kevlar can be just as durable. Fiberglass is more difficult to repair, but not as bad as Kevlar or aluminum.
Repairs are easier to hide and the canoes tend to be very resistant to abrasion.
Fiberglass is not very resistant to shock, and a hull slammed up against rocks can crack. The outer materials are sensitive to sunlight and require indoor storage. Fiberglass composite may be an excellent alternative to Royalex or Kevlar for whitewater. In it's pure form, it is best suited for limited use in flat water. Weight can vary from manufacturer and the composite blend used.