Hello everyone,

I’m starting in the process of researching, planning, and building my first cedar strip canoe, and was wondering if anyone’s experience could guide me in which style of wooden canoes are the most versatile? Meaning, I’d like to take it out for anything from a day on a lake, fishing, to camping. Additionally, I’d like one easy enough to paddle solo, but capable enough to take my wife or possibly young daughters with me. I may only get one shot to build such a canoe, so I wanna make sure I choose the design with the best chance of suiting my POSSIBLE needs.

Subscribe to the canoe building forum on this site. You will find a wealth of knowledge.

Thanks, I browsed briefly through the forum topics and thought this may be a good place. I didn’t see that one, but I’ll take a look. Thanks again.

Click on Messageboard on the top right. Then scroll all the way to the bottom to "See More Groups", then "View All Public Special Interest Groups and Private Groups Open for Application". Follow the steps to apply, it takes a click or two and a few seconds to be approved. You want to join "BWCA.com Builders Group".

Besides the canoe forum here, check out bear mountain boats, for plans and their forum, Greenval.com for plans, northwest canoe for plans, Wood canoe heritage association. There are a few other sites but that is a good start.

You will really have to parr down your list of wants a bit, as no canoe will do all that you want well. If you have tripped the boundary waters previously you can find plans that approximate the canoe you used (if you liked it). You can get any type of canoe in wood, they are typically just a bit heavier. My one word of advice on models is that if you want something that can trip, possibly big enough to also take two kids and wife, but with maybe the occasional solo then a boat you can control and maneuver well should be a priority. So say 16-17 feet, some rocker at both ends with a bit more at bow than stern, 35-36” approx max beam. Lots of info online. Also if you build one you will more than likely build another!

Moonman.