Northwest Canoe is offering a new model, the Excurzen, to their free plan offerings. Here is a link: Excurzen

I may give it a shot this winter.

From looking at the specs it appears very similar to my Winisk, should make a fine big tripping boat with good manouverability. I would love to know who designed her.

Moonman.

Dennis Davidson, owner of NWC designed the boat. It can be built in 16,17 or 18 foot versions. With 36 in max width, looks like great tripping boat. I am thinking of a 17 foot version.
CB

i know this post is old. but why do they offer these plans for free? im all for it and grabbed a couple of them. hope to do my first build this year.

I know Dennis is trying to promote canoe building, and also offers building materials.
I too think it's GREAT !

Jim

This design in a 17.5 would make a good tandem canoe, correct? I would mainly be making a canoe for week long trips. Lots of fishing, and we are not afraid to cover ground to get seclusion. Was comparing to NW cruiser model. Any thoughts from you veterans?

Took the PDF file to my local print shop. They wouldn't release the prints to me because of the copyright symbol on the bottom of one of the pages. I'll have to contact NWC to see about a release.

Anyone else have this issue? I get trying to protect a companies copyright, but thought the small print on the bottom explained they distributed plans for 'single use' for free.

I get trying to protect a companies copyright, but thought the small print on the bottom explained they distributed plans for 'single use' for free. "

I'm far from an expert but this can be a sticky area. The small print says plans are distributed for free for single use but what you're trying to do is reproduce those plans, and I imagine that's what raised a red flag for the print shop. The case could be made that "distributing the plans" was allowing you to download them. Similar to a photographer giving you digital files so you can pick which ones to print or to share on Facebook. Those digital files are what they distributed for that intended use, copying or printing those files is a copyright violation. They also have no way of knowing if this was only your first time using them.

Now I'm not saying you're doing anything wrong. We know and Northwest Canoe knows that these plans were meant to be downloaded and the forms printed. Just looking at it from the print shops point of view and why they'd be leery of handing them over.

Copyright violations occur all the time, usually not maliciously, but most everyone looks the other way. Good to see someone standing up for the creator of the material. The printer probably has the most at stake in situations like this as they risk offending customers and driving away business.

Alan

Absolutely right Alan. While I'm frustrated I'm having to wait for my plans, I too am happy (however deep down it is) seeing someone abide by the letter of the law

I guess I'm more frustrated by the wording right next to the copyright. Sure, you need to protect your work from thieves who would try to make money from NWC's designs. but if the intent is to allow people to download and print these, maybe add a better release to the file.

my sister does photography and all of her customers get a written release, on the disk/flash drive they received their files on. Then there is no issue.

Unfortunately, though, a copyright will never fully stop a thief. Anyone with a computer can airbrush anything out.

quote opolka: "This design in a 17.5 would make a good tandem canoe, correct? I would mainly be making a canoe for week long trips. Lots of fishing, and we are not afraid to cover ground to get seclusion. Was comparing to NW cruiser model. Any thoughts from you veterans? "

I haven't been in the Excurzen, but I did make a stretched out version of the Cruiser. It was fast enough, though far from a rocket, but rock solid stable. I thought it was a great fishing boat.

quote amhacker22: "I haven't been in the Excurzen, but I did make a stretched out version of the Cruiser. It was fast enough, though far from a rocket, but rock solid stable. I thought it was a great fishing boat. "

Did you just add another center form and make it 18'? How'd the weight turn out?

I added a 2nd center. I never weighed it, but it felt roughly the same as a gel-coated Bell Northwoods. Probably 60-65 lbs? I Could have reduced it by a few lbs with different trim material. I used what was close by and available.