Pelican
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersLaval, Canada
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Pelican firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pelican
- Legal name
- Pelican Intl Inc.
- Website
- https://pelicansport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pelican industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Paddlesports and Outdoor Recreational Watercraft
- NAICS
- Boat Dealers (441222)
- akta.pro industry
- Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles)Kayak & Paddle Fishing Specialty RetailPaddling & Packrafting Gear RetailWater Sports & Marine Recreation Retail (Paddle/Surf/Dive/Boat Accessories)Water Sports & Marine Recreation Gear DistributionConsumer Products & Retail/Wholesale, Distribution & Category Management/Sporting Goods, Outdoor & Recreation Distribution
Keywords
Where Pelican is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Laval
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Pelican business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Paddlesports watercraft sales: Revenue generated from manufacturing and selling kayaks, fishing kayaks, pedal boats, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) across recreational, fishing, and touring categories
- Accessories and gear sales: Revenue from paddles, safety equipment, bags, coolers, transport/storage gear, fishing gear, and replacement parts
- Hunting and outdoor products: Revenue from Catch hunting blinds and utility sleds following KL Outdoor acquisition
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium kayaks and fishing boats ($699.99 - $1,449.99) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Recreational kayaks and SUPs ($274.99 - $599.99) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pedal boats ($699.99 - $799.99) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories and parts ($8.99 - $144.99) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | ModLight Pivot modular lighting system |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pelican product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pelican designs, manufactures, and sells kayaks (recreational, fishing, touring, kids, tandem), pedal boats, fishing boats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (both inflatable and rigid), and related paddlesports gear and accessories. Through the 2026 KL Outdoor acquisition the line was extended to include hunting blinds, utility and recreational sleds. Products are sold direct-to-consumer online and through thousands of North American dealers under sub-brands such as Catch, Argo, Boost, Monaco, Flow, Sunseek, Boracay, Coastrider, and Vibe.
Product overview
Pelican is a paddlesports manufacturer offering North America's most complete product ecosystem across all price tiers. The product portfolio centers on kayaks (recreational, fishing, touring, kids, and tandem categories including Argo, Boost, and Catch sub-brands), boats (pedal and fishing boats including Monaco and Catch Bass Raider lines), SUPs (inflatable and rigid including Flow, Sunseek, Boracay, Coastrider, and Vibe series), paddles, and outdoor gear. Through the KL Outdoor acquisition, Pelican expanded into hunting blinds, sleds, and utility equipment under the CATCH Hunting sub-brand. The product lineup spans from entry-level recreational offerings under $300 to premium fishing kayaks over $1,200. Products are sold through direct-to-consumer online channels and a network of dealers and retailers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CATCH: Product line focused on fishing kayaks, fishing boats, hunting blinds, sleds, and outdoor gear targeting value-conscious consumers
- Argo
- Boost
- Monaco
- Flow
- Coastrider
- Sunseek
- Vibe
- Boracay NXT
Products and services
- Recreational Kayaks Entry-level and mid-range sit-in and sit-on-top kayaks designed for calm lakes and casual paddling, including Boost and Argo series. Targeted at recreational paddlers and families.
- Fishing Kayaks Specialized fishing kayaks with pedal-drive systems, built-in storage, rod holders, and stable platforms for standing casts under the Catch sub-brand. Targeted at kayak anglers.
- Touring Kayaks Longer kayaks designed for extended paddling trips and open-water conditions. Targeted at touring paddlers.
- Kids Kayaks Smaller-sized kayaks designed for children to ensure safe and enjoyable paddling. Targeted at families with young children.
- Tandem Kayaks Two-person kayaks designed for partner paddling. Targeted at pairs of paddlers.
- Pedal Boats Hands-free pedal-powered boats ideal for fishing and recreation, under the Monaco and Catch Bass Raider lines. Targeted at anglers and recreational boaters.
- Fishing Boats Motorized or pedal-powered fishing boats including Catch Intruder 12 and Catch Bass Raider 10E NXT. Targeted at boat anglers.
- Canoes Traditional paddle-powered canoes for various water activities. Targeted at traditional paddlers.
- Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboards Portable inflatable SUPs for easy transport and storage, including Sunseek, Boracay NXT, and Coastrider series. Targeted at recreational paddleboarders and travelers.
- Rigid Stand-Up Paddleboards Solid-core rigid SUPs for performance paddleboarding, including Flow 106 and Vibe 80. Targeted at performance paddleboarders.
- Inflatable Kayaks Portable inflatable kayaks for easy transport and storage. Targeted at traveling paddlers and storage-conscious consumers.
- Paddles (Recreational, Fishing, SUP) Recreational, fishing, and SUP-specific paddles including the Poseidon Angler and Catch paddle lines. Targeted at paddlesports participants.
- Safety Gear (PFDs and life jackets) Life jackets, PFDs, and other on-water safety equipment for paddlesports. Targeted at all paddlesports participants.
- Bags and Coolers Waterproof bags and cooler solutions for gear protection and storage during paddlesports activities. Targeted at paddlers needing dry storage.
- Transport and Storage Solutions Carts, straps, and storage solutions for transporting and storing kayaks, boats, and gear. Targeted at paddlers needing to move or store craft.
- Fishing Gear and Accessories Angling accessories including anchors, rod holders, tackle storage, and electronics mounts. Targeted at kayak and boat anglers.
- Replacement Parts (Care Centre) Replacement and repair parts including drain plugs, scupper plugs, seat brackets, and motor mounts. Targeted at existing Pelican product owners.
- Utility and Recreational Sleds Heavy-duty utility sleds and family-oriented recreational sleds for transporting gear in outdoor and winter conditions. Targeted at hunters and outdoor winter users.
- Catch Hunting Blinds Hunting blinds under the Catch Hunting sub-brand for waterfowl and game hunting. Targeted at hunters.
- GSI Outdoors Cookware and Campware Outdoor cookware, campware, and adventure dining products under the GSI Outdoors brand. Targeted at campers and outdoor adventurers.
- ModLight Pivot Modular Lighting System Compact modular lighting system designed to fit inside Pelican protective cases with tri-color lighting modes and up to 18 hours of runtime. Targeted at first responders, industrial technicians, and field professionals.
- Aegis Case Series (including Aegis 4-Wheel Case) Premium protective cases including the Aegis 4-wheel case designed for travel and field durability, promoted through the Chris Burkard 'Case Chronicles' content series. Targeted at travelers, professionals, and outdoor users needing rugged equipment protection.
- DRYOUT Moisture Control System for Protective Cases Reusable, power-free moisture-wicking panels integrated into Pelican protective cases to prevent corrosion and electronic degradation of sensitive equipment. Targeted at military and defense users protecting sensitive gear.
Quantifiable outcome
- Market presence in over 50 countries
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Pelican
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Pelican technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature2 records
Pelican partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Chris BurkardflagshipYear-long global partnership with renowned photographer and explorer Chris Burkard as Global Ambassador to celebrate Pelican's 50th anniversary in 2026. Partnership includes 'Case Chronicles' content series chronicling extraordinary missions from March through December, with Burkard testing products including the Aegis 4-wheel case across diverse terrains such as Japan. Burkard serves as 'test pilot' integrating into storytelling, community engagement, and field testing operations.
- DRYOUTcoreStrategic partnership to develop moisture control system integrated into Pelican's protective cases. The system uses moisture-wicking panels that absorb and hold moisture, preventing corrosion and electronic degradation. Technology works across various environmental conditions without requiring power and is reusable. Specifically targeting military equipment protection.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pelican competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hobie Cat Company: Hobie is a leading manufacturer of pedal-drive kayaks, fishing kayaks, and watercraft, directly competing with Pelican's Catch and Monaco pedal/fishing product lines. Both target the kayak fishing enthusiast segment with premium-positioned pedal propulsion.
- Jackson Kayak: Jackson Kayak specializes in premium fishing kayaks with pedal-drive and pedal-assist systems, competing head-to-head with Pelican's Catch fishing kayak line. Both serve the serious kayak angler segment with similar price points and feature sets.
- Native Watercraft: Native Watercraft is a fishing kayak specialist known for its Propel pedal-drive system, directly competing with Pelican's Catch pedal-drive fishing kayaks. Both brands emphasize hands-free propulsion and stability for standing anglers.
- Old Town Canoe (Johnson Outdoors): Old Town is a heritage North American canoe and kayak manufacturer owned by Johnson Outdoors, competing directly with Pelican across recreational, fishing, and touring categories. Similar product breadth and dealer-channel distribution model.
- Sun Dolphin: Sun Dolphin manufactures recreational kayaks, pedal boats, and canoes at value price points, directly competing with Pelican's Boost and Argo entry-level recreational lines. Both target the affordable recreational paddler segment through mass retail channels.
- NRS (Northwest River Supplies): NRS is a paddlesports accessories and gear manufacturer plus retailer, overlapping with Pelican's accessories, paddles, safety gear, and bags/coolers lines. Both serve paddlers across fishing, touring, and recreational categories.
- Ocean Kayak (Old Town): Ocean Kayak specializes in sit-on-top recreational and fishing kayaks, overlapping directly with Pelican's recreational and Catch fishing product lines. Similar entry-level and mid-tier price positioning and dealer distribution.
- Sevylor (Coleman/Newell Brands): Sevylor is a major inflatable kayak and SUP manufacturer competing with Pelican's Advanced Elements-derived inflatable line. Both target the entry-level and portable-paddlesports consumer with comparable price points.
Emerging players
- Crescent Kayaks: Crescent Kayaks is an emerging premium kayak brand focused on fishing and recreational segments with rotomolded construction. It represents the type of premium-positioned niche competitor that could pressure Pelican's mid-tier fishing kayak pricing.
Broad incumbents
- Confluence Outdoor (sister brands): Confluence Outdoor is Pelican's parent and houses sister brands (Wilderness Systems, Dagger, Perception, Boardworks) that directly compete with Pelican across paddlesports categories. Internal channel overlap is a defining structural feature of this peer relationship.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pelican social profiles
Digital presencePelican financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pelican leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Pelican subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Pelican funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pelican M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pelican
What does Pelican do?
Pelican designs, manufactures, and sells kayaks (recreational, fishing, touring, kids, tandem), pedal boats, fishing boats, canoes, stand-up paddleboards (both inflatable and rigid), and related paddlesports gear and accessories. Through the 2026 KL Outdoor acquisition the line was extended to include hunting blinds, utility and recreational sleds. Products are sold direct-to-consumer online and through thousands of North American dealers under sub-brands such as Catch, Argo, Boost, Monaco, Flow, Sunseek, Boracay, Coastrider, and Vibe.
Is Pelican a public or private company?
Pelican is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pelican founded?
Pelican was founded in 1968. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Pelican based?
Pelican is headquartered in Laval, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Pelican make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Paddlesports watercraft sales are the primary driver. The others are accessories and gear sales and hunting and outdoor products.
Who are Pelican's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hobie Cat Company, Jackson Kayak, Native Watercraft, Old Town Canoe (Johnson Outdoors), Sun Dolphin, NRS (Northwest River Supplies), Ocean Kayak (Old Town) and Sevylor (Coleman/Newell Brands). Crescent Kayaks is listed as an emerging player. Confluence Outdoor (sister brands) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Pelican have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pelican.
What industry is Pelican in?
Pelican's product category is Paddlesports and Outdoor Recreational Watercraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAIAD, Paddle Sports Retail (Kayak, Canoe, SUP, Paddles), with a secondary code of CRAMALAF, Kayak & Paddle Fishing Specialty Retail. Its NAICS code is 441222.