Well, almost. Just need a day with light winds (given that I'm in Oklahoma that might be awhile) to spray a few coats of finish on the hull. Can't wait to show you guys.

A few details - 16' Merlin solo. 44 lbs (a 6lb improvement over my last one!). African Paduk decks with walnut inlay. Walnut accent strip just above the waterline. Oak gunnels and thwarts stained to match the walnut strips and inlays. Clampless yoke system.

JD

Looking forward to pictures!

I think I'm going to call her Charmaine.

Nice looking ride!

Very pretty. Great job!

Very nice, so sweet looking.

Best of luck with her.

Sweeeeeet!

Nice looking ride. I like the seat/yolk combo. Have you had a chance to paddle her yet?

I read in your past post that you were having issues with bubbling / glassing. How was the experience overall? The glassing scares the heck outta me. I suck at it and I don't want to do all that work just to mess it up in the end.

Sweet canoe and at 44 lbs, ya done good.
I like the way you planked it and really like the grain (picture 1)
Merlin, Merlin, Merlin........ which Merlin design is that? I see very little rocker and I am thinking that it looks like the Kunz design.

Couple of answers to questions/observations

1 - haven't paddled her yet, given that I'm in Oklahoma it's not the weather, but because I haven't modified my racks yet.

2 - the bubbles during glassing were no big deal, they sanded out and are not noticeable at all. My biggest problem with glassing was the inside at the stern and bow. I ended up with a couple of spots that did not adhere to the wood.

3 - the unusual grain was actually problematic. It looks great but it's actually quite wavy and difficult to plane and sand.

4 - it's whatever Merlin plan NW canoe sent me back in 2005 when I built my first one.

JD

very, very, nice!!!!

JD
I also had my moments working with flat grain. I never realized how different the densities of spring and summer wood were until I started fairing the hull. That is where the long board sander really shines. Just don't point out the waves and no one will notice ;)

A real nice canoe and I think that the "proper name" of that hull is the NW Merlin.