T-Formex is a high-tech laminated material consisting of an ABS foam core, ABS sheets, and protective outer plastic skin. Its resistance to abrasion and heavy impacts make it an excellent material for recreational, whitewater, and expedition canoes. Once heated and moulded, T-Formex sheets form a hull that has an unmatched structural memory. So even after being folded around a rock, an Esquif T-Formex canoe will return to its original shape with minimal distortion. Stronger than fibreglass and lighter than polyethylene, T-Formex gives Esquif’s designers a material with superior characteristics.

We recommend cleaning your craft with a mild household cleaner to remove dirt and grit. To protect the surface from UV and avoid color fading and to bring up a nice shine you can apply a 303 protectant 2 or 3 times a year. CAUTION: Do not use petroleum based products or strong solvents as this will cause discolouration and damage to the laminate. Hard impacts on T-Formex canoes can cause an indentation in the laminate. They will usually work themselves out after warming up in the sun. Larger dents can be worked out by gently warming the area with a hair dryer or hot air gun. The trick is to keep the hot air source moving to warm the area gradually until the dent comes out. CAUTION: applying heat too quickly will burn the surface, be very careful with heat. 

Ideally your canoe should be stored inside, upside down on racks in a cool and dry environment. If you store your canoes outside it should also be upside down on racks and the wooden gunnels should never touch the ground. Do not store it where it will be exposed to ice and snow loads as this can distort your canoe. See the wooden gunnels section for specific care instructions.

Wood trim canoes – there are a variety of opinions about cold cracking. During extreme temperature fluctuations, T-Formex has a thermal expansion factor different than wood, it can expand or contract faster than wood which can cause cracks from where the wood trim has been screwed, this results in cracks in the hull generally located near the saddles. Ideally, you are better off storing your canoe in an attached and insulated or heated and weatherproof storage.

If stored outside, we suggest unscrewing the screws from the deck plates over a distance of 36 inches without touching the seat hangers or thwarts to prevent cold-cracking.