Delivery Information

At Hou Canoes, we take great care in ensuring your new canoe reaches you safely and efficiently. Because we are based in the UK, we have full control over shipping, quality, and service—so every delivery meets our high standards.

How We Deliver?

We believe in delivering canoes the right way. That’s why we handle most deliveries ourselves, using our own vehicles and experienced drivers. Canoes don’t fit neatly into a parcel van, and traditional courier networks just aren’t set up to transport them safely!

That said, we understand that sometimes speed is essential, so we offer three delivery options to suit your needs:

1. Standard Delivery – Our Own Fleet (Preferred Option)

✅ Safe, reliable transport by our own drivers

✅ Zero risk of courier mishandling

✅ Scheduled delivery with direct communication

For larger items like canoes, we use our own fleet wherever possible. This ensures safe handling from our workshop to your door.

2. Express Courier for Smaller Items

✅ Tracked next-business-day delivery

✅ Reliable, trusted courier partners

✅ Ideal for accessories and spare parts

For smaller orders (such as outfitting, accessories, and spare parts), we ship via trusted express couriers to provide a fast and trackable service.

3. Urgent Boat Delivery – Two-Man Courier Service

✅ Faster option when time is critical

✅ Two-person handling reduces damage risk

✅ Lower vehicle loads mean careful transportation

If you need a boat delivered quickly, we work with a specialist express courier. While not always the cheapest option, their two-person service ensures careful handling throughout transit, reducing the chance of damage. If your order is urgent, just let us know—we’ll find the best solution for you.

Lead Times

🛶 In-stock canoes: Dispatched within 7-10 days.

🔨 Made-to-order or custom canoes: Typically 3-5 weeks for manufacturing, with dispatch 7-10 days after completion.

📦 Smaller in-stock items: Dispatched within 48 hours.

⚡ Urgent orders: Contact us, and we’ll make it happen!

Collection from Our Workshop

We love meeting paddlers in person! If you’d prefer, you can collect your order from our workshop:

📍 Hou Canoes HQ, UK

⏳ Collections are available within 2 hours of your order being ready.

If you’re coming to pick up a canoe, let us know—we’re always happy to talk boats and share a brew! ☕

International Shipping

Shipping boats internationally can be a challenge, but we’re up for it! 🌍 If there’s a way to get your canoe to you, we’ll figure it out. Whether it’s a logistical puzzle or an opportunity for an overseas paddling adventure, we’ll help you navigate the process.

For international orders, get in touch, and we’ll work with you to find the best shipping option.

Tracking & Communication

📦 Courier Deliveries: Full tracking with automated updates.

🚚 Van Deliveries (Large Items): We’ll personally contact you with an estimated delivery time and provide the driver’s contact details for any last-minute questions.