I have started building my NW Merlin. I am at all stop till I get my interior and exterior stems bent.

I did a quick test of 1/8" pine laminates to see if I could follow the bow stem of the Merlin with a dry bend...... Not so good. I will need to steam my laminates to bend

Need advice:
1) wood for interior stem? Thinking all pine
2) use same on exterior or look for hard wood?
3) thinking of making the electric kettle/stove pipe steamer...... any advice?

Forms are done and look to be fair when face to face. I will start a building thread on this soon.

i use pine for the inner stem and either ash or walnut for the outer stem - the ash bends better.

Why are you using stems? The plans for the Merlin use stemless. Download the "builders book" for free from NWC www for reference.
CB

I am using stems because I like the look of stems on a wooden canoe...... that is the simple answer.

I have the builders book from NW canoe

Ash looks good, is cheap and bends well. Even though I decided not to use outer stems. I bought enough ash for all my stems, both ends, inner and outer. All for five dollars and some change.

HPD
I went back and I read your response to "are they neceesary"

HEH you like what you like.

What did they use at theNorth House? Why not use that?


CB

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
I am using stems because I like the look of stems on a wooden canoe...... that is the simple answer.


I have the builders book from NW canoe "

i agree... a stripper without stems looks incomplete.

I used cherry laminated stems for Bob's Special. I used a hot plate, 5qt pan with a fitted plywood lid and 1.5" pipe going into a steambox made out of plywood. I left the wood on the forms for two days to dry out before glueing.

Here was my steamer. I used white cedar for the inner stems, and cherry for the outer stems.

Cedarboy

Ken (our North House instructor) like to laminate with several different colors in the stem. He alternated pine and cedar (for color)and the finished product was pretty but I thought it looked too much like plywood.

I wanted one color. So, I believe I will go with pine on the interior (easier to finish it) and ash on the exterior (strength and color). I like the idea of a harder wood on the working ends of the canoe.

I may change my plans by tomorrow....... but today, pine and ash ;)

Your choices of wood are great. Ash bends the easiest with steam as you found out.

I too feel a canoe without stems looks a little naked. Stems are a must for all wood boats IMO