Impulse 13 "Fish Catcher" Vacuum Infused Canoe | Natural Kevlar Carbon Hybrid

The Impulse 13 is a remarkably versatile canoe that adapts to your adventure style. Paddle it traditionally, kayak-style, or even row it across streams, lakes, and open water. Its exceptional lightweight design makes loading and one-trip portages effortless, while still offering significant carrying capacity for your gear. From quick pond-hopping excursions to epic journeys like the 740-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail or the entire Mississippi River, this canoe delivers performance that serious adventurers trust.

Experience unmatched tracking in the Impulse 13, outperforming most canoes under 16 feet. Its innovative shallow V hull transitions to a responsive arch design that makes steering effortless, while providing stability that lets you forget about balance and simply enjoy the exceptional glide. With its low profile, you'll cut through windy conditions with minimal drift, and confidently handle waves up to 24 inches. Weighing just 19 pounds with optional tandem paddling capability, this versatile canoe adapts to countless adventures without weighing you down.

The Impulse 13 comes loaded with thoughtful features including standard scupper spacers that look great while strengthening the gunnels and draining water efficiently. Sturdy grab loops at both ends make handling easy, while ultralight cedar decks and thwarts resist rot beautifully. The shallow arch hull delivers reliable stability, and with 25 color options, you can truly make it your own. For maximum versatility, add the optional removable thwart/yoke that reconfigures without tools to accommodate gear or four-legged companions.

Vacuum Infusion Process

Vacuum Infusion Process hulls are significantly different than hand laminated hulls.  The resin to fabric ratio is better with VIP so the hull is noticeably stronger than hand laminated boats.

Cost for a VIP hull is higher than for hand laminated because of the requirement for extra materials in order to achieve the same degree of stiffness.  The vacuum compresses the laminate more so than hand laminating.  As a result, the laminate is thinner and not stiff enough to paddle properly.  In order to achieve appropriate stiffness, extra layers of Kevlar, Innegra, etc. must be added to the laminate schedule.  Each extra layer increases the strength of the hull yet the weight (due to the VIP Process) is the same or slightly less than hand laminated hulls.  More layers equals more strength.

There are also increased supplies (costs) used (vacuum film, sealing tapes, flow media, peel ply, resin tubing, etc.) which are consumed in making VIP hulls.

Essentially, both methods of laminating are excellent when properly executed.  Hand laminates will be less expensive and not quite as strong as VIP.  VIP hulls cost more but offer a more hi-tech composite that is noticeably tougher.

"Fish Catcher Material"

NO JOKE FISH STORY

Several years ago Slipstream started using a unique in the industry material -- it's a 2x2 twill hybrid of Kevlar and Carbon photo shown above right.  The twill hybrid blends nicely with nature and appears greenish.  They selected the material because of the mechanical properties, workability, etc. — little did they know that there would be other advantages.

Shortly after they started building with this material, unsolicited, fishermen started contacting them and said they're catching more fish than ever.  Stan and Cathy laughed and attributed it to a typical "fish story".  But the calls kept coming so they decided to keep a tracking log.  They stopped tracking after more than fifty fishermen contacted them, unsolicited, to say they were catching more fish in boats made with this material in its natural color.

Some think the color hides the boat.  Two different fishermen dove under the boat and said the hull looks much like looking up at Lilly Pads or another safe haven.  Still others believe the way the light sparkles through the laminate it makes fish think there’s a school of minnows under the boat and ready to be feasted upon.

During an event at Coopers Lake in Slippery Rock, PA Stan was standing on the shore with several fishermen and telling them of the material and its "fish catcher" nature.  They all laughed and said he would say anything to sell a boat.  As they were talking, Cathy paddled by in a "Fish Catcher" laminate canoe.  She floated over and asked if someone could reach into the stern of her canoe and remove the Bass that had jumped into her boat. The fishermen were slack jawed and Stan was exonerated.  There's clearly something to the "fish catching" nature of the material.