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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Listening Point - General Discussion My new wood canoe |
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12/31/2023 02:29PM
Having built many canoes over the years using plans from others, I finally designed my own canoe without modifying or using another canoe or plan as a basis. I also documented some of this on the builders forum.
This is my 16’ wood canvas canoe. 62 pounds. Shellac bottom, Birds-Eye maple (I love that wood) accents. Gunwales are mahogany inside and ash outside. The canoe has moderate tumblehome in the center and some flair on the ends. I love the overall shape of the canoe. Super traditional lines.
Remember, wood canoes were the only canoe people paddled until aluminum came around. Wood canoes opened up the wilderness, not Kevlar.
I love, love building canoes and I can’t wait to start the next one, which I’m doing now. If anyone is interested in building their own canoe, you might consider looking through the builders’ forum. I’ve documented at least several builds over there. Enough to get you going in the right direction. Lots of info from other builders too. It’s a small but proud crowd over there so not too much action.
Tom
This is my 16’ wood canvas canoe. 62 pounds. Shellac bottom, Birds-Eye maple (I love that wood) accents. Gunwales are mahogany inside and ash outside. The canoe has moderate tumblehome in the center and some flair on the ends. I love the overall shape of the canoe. Super traditional lines.
Remember, wood canoes were the only canoe people paddled until aluminum came around. Wood canoes opened up the wilderness, not Kevlar.
I love, love building canoes and I can’t wait to start the next one, which I’m doing now. If anyone is interested in building their own canoe, you might consider looking through the builders’ forum. I’ve documented at least several builds over there. Enough to get you going in the right direction. Lots of info from other builders too. It’s a small but proud crowd over there so not too much action.
Tom
01/02/2024 09:21AM
Beautiful Canoe! Thanks for sharing. Did you have design software in putting the hull together or drafter skills? Curious about the process in figuring out the lines and such?
"Fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me, can't get fooled again" - W
01/02/2024 09:28AM
A few things to answer some questions.
I have not built a skin on frame canoe before but have contemplated it.
For the design of this canoe, I did not use any software. I lofted the form on paper completely by hand. I've built a lot of canoes so I sort of know where to start.
One thing that helped me is that I layed out the top of the canoe on the floor. Basically how the gunwales would look if looking down on the canoe.
And then I measured the distance of the gunwales every 12" so I knew what the width of the forms would be at each station.
Then I sort of just sketched everything out. The canoe overall was really nice but I had to rework the ends. The last form was a little too wide and the planking didn't flow nicely to the stems. So I had to do some on the spot work. I have 'fixed' the form now so the next build should be a little easier.
Tom
I have not built a skin on frame canoe before but have contemplated it.
For the design of this canoe, I did not use any software. I lofted the form on paper completely by hand. I've built a lot of canoes so I sort of know where to start.
One thing that helped me is that I layed out the top of the canoe on the floor. Basically how the gunwales would look if looking down on the canoe.
And then I measured the distance of the gunwales every 12" so I knew what the width of the forms would be at each station.
Then I sort of just sketched everything out. The canoe overall was really nice but I had to rework the ends. The last form was a little too wide and the planking didn't flow nicely to the stems. So I had to do some on the spot work. I have 'fixed' the form now so the next build should be a little easier.
Tom
01/02/2024 11:01AM
tumblehome: "A few things to answer some questions.
I have not built a skin on frame canoe before but have contemplated it.
For the design of this canoe, I did not use any software. I lofted the form on paper completely by hand. I've built a lot of canoes so I sort of know where to start.
One thing that helped me is that I layed out the top of the canoe on the floor. Basically how the gunwales would look if looking down on the canoe.
And then I measured the distance of the gunwales every 12" so I knew what the width of the forms would be at each station.
Then I sort of just sketched everything out. The canoe overall was really nice but I had to rework the ends. The last form was a little too wide and the planking didn't flow nicely to the stems. So I had to do some on the spot work. I have 'fixed' the form now so the next build should be a little easier.
Tom"
Very nice, you sir are a true Craftsmen.
01/02/2024 01:18PM
This canoe is gorgeous. I’ve restored three prospector canoes, much different and I imagine far dirtier that all that fresh, non rotten wood. I was wondering what you used for canvas filler and what weight canvas you used.
There is no feeling like paddling a canoe you’ve created. The sound and feel of these boats in the water is something you need to experience.
There is no feeling like paddling a canoe you’ve created. The sound and feel of these boats in the water is something you need to experience.
01/04/2024 11:12AM
Exquisite work! My wife and I have restored an 18 foot Penn Yann Owasco, an Old Town Yankee, and an Old Town 20 foot guide. Unfortunately, I no longer trip with them. The Guide needs recanvasing again, but I probably won't do it because of the expense.
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