The canoes that my company focuses on are the "all-wood", the type
of canoes that were in use before canvas covered canoes  were invented.
These canoe were made of strips of wood fitted together with so much
kill that all they needed to be watertight was a few coats of varnish.
The Trent Valley of Ontario was where a number of important
innovations were made.  

Shown below left is a torpedo-decked courting canoe made by the
Peterborough Canoe Company. Courting canoes became popular in the
early part the 20th century for "girling" - when a man paddled a woman
around. This specific one is a Peterborough "Ace" model.  It is fairly 
unusual (and rare) because it represents the most luxurious of models
Peterborugh sold.  There was only one model above it and evidently only
2 of those were made!

This version has seats that tilt, allowing both occupants to sit on the
bottom of the canoe -perhaps to play footsies. The center thwart on
this canoe removes by pulling two pins. There is also a bow locker where
a picnic lunch or bottle of champagne could be stowed. The raised torpedo
decks are made of strips of alternating light and dark wood. The design,
materials and workmanship evident on this canoe is a fine example of 
Canada's proud canoe building history. 

Rob von Bitter
Heirloom Canoes