Silverbirch Broadland 16
The Silverbirch Broadland 16 — a high-capacity British-made canoe built for families, expeditions and long-distance touring. More boat, more adventure.
Silverbirch are currently running a Duralite Spring Special in partnership with The Boathouse. This is on selected Silverbirch canoes such as the Firefly 14, Broadland 15 and Broadland 16. See the description drop down for more info or click here to see the Duralite Spring Special!
| Custom Options: Custom Options |
An Insight Into Canoe Set Up Options, Materials & Outfitting
The Broadland 16 is a versatile, all-water canoe, built for tandem paddling, family adventures, and extended trips. As the longer counterpart to the Broadland 15, it offers greater efficiency, tracking, and load capacity, while maintaining the balanced maneuverability and adaptability that define the Broadland series.
Inspired by the classic Prospector-style hull, the Broadland 16 excels on rivers, lakes, and open water, making it a reliable choice for paddlers tackling varied conditions
A popular choice for families, the Broadland 16 can also be outfitted with a third seat option, available in both polyethylene and wood/web configurations, making it an even more versatile canoe for multi-person use.
Best For:
Tandem paddlers needing a high-capacity canoe for long trips.
Expedition paddlers carrying substantial loads over long distances.
Families looking for a stable, efficient canoe with an optional third seat.
When to Think Twice About This Model:
Prioritizing maneuverability over speed? – If your paddling is mostly in tight, winding rivers, the Broadland 15 may be a better fit.
Need a more compact and lightweight canoe? – While excellent for expeditions, a shorter canoe like the Broadland 15 is easier to transport and store.
Why Choose the Broadland 16?
Greater efficiency for long-distance paddling – The longer hull tracks well and maintains speed effortlessly.
Higher carrying capacity for expeditions or tandem paddling – Designed to handle bigger loads without sacrificing stability.
Family-friendly design – Optional third seat increases versatility for multi-person paddling.
The optimum ranges are suggested for typical paddlers in a variety of different water conditions and the users can expect the craft to paddle as designed within these ranges.
The ultimate capacity is derived using an industry standard test of the amount of static weight it takes to achieve a 6” freeboard. This is not a recommendation of suitability of use at these weights.
Lowline vs Highline—What's the Difference?
The difference between highline and lowline canoes comes down to hull depth (freeboard) — essentially how high the sides of the canoe sit above the waterline. This single design choice has a noticeable impact on handling, stability, weight, and performance in different conditions.
Highline Canoes — More Depth, More Capacity
A highline canoe has deeper sidewalls, which increases internal volume and keeps more of the hull above the water.
This results in:
- Higher load capacity – better for carrying gear, additional paddlers, or expedition setups
- Improved buoyancy – sits higher in the water, especially when loaded
- Drier ride in rough water – more protection from waves and chop
Highline trims are typically chosen for expeditions, open water crossings, or paddlers carrying heavier loads.
However, the added depth also means:
- Increased weight (typically around 10–12% more depending on the model)
- More wind exposure due to the larger side profile
Lowline Canoes — Lower Profile, Greater Control
A lowline canoe has shallower sidewalls, reducing the amount of hull above the water.
This gives you:
- Less wind resistance – easier to control in breezy conditions
- Lighter overall weight – easier to carry, load, and handle off the water
- More responsive handling – ideal for technical paddling or solo use
Lowline trims are best suited to day paddling, lighter loads, sheltered waters, and paddlers who prioritise efficiency and control over carrying capacity.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Highline if you need maximum capacity, added security in rough water, or expedition capability
- Choose Lowline if you want a lighter, more responsive canoe that performs well in calmer or more sheltered conditions
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