My first stripper, started nearly a year ago with some time off in between. I previously built a Snowshoe 16 Geodesic Airolite, skin on frame canoe.

I can't say enough good things about Northwest Canoe and the many things I learned attending one of Dennis's building workshops. My daughter attended with me and was a great help during the build.

Now, if the ice would hurry up and melt so I could try it out!

That's a fine canoe! Congrats on getting her finished just in time for the paddling season. Or perhaps you finished her a few months early the way things are going.

It looks like a fine craft and I really love that webbed seat. I've seen too many people build their beautiful canoes and then put a factory-made seat in it.

Enjoy that fresh varnish smell!

Tom

Looks great! Not just the build, but the finish!

Nice job.

Beautiful....

Your work is beautiful. Beautiful canoe. Congratulations. I also noticed your shop. Nice.

I am not familiar with the the NW passage. The canoe looks very similar to the Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker). Even the tumble home looked the same.

Beautiful job!

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Your work is beautiful. Beautiful canoe. Congratulations. I also noticed your shop. Nice.


I am not familiar with the the NW passage. The canoe looks very similar to the Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker). Even the tumble home looked the same. "

Thanks everyone for the nice feedback. The NW Passage is described by Dennis Davidson (owner of NWC and designer of this canoe) as a Merlin with more rocker, 2" bow/1" stern. I struggled with deciding between the Merlin, Osprey or this model and just took a chance. If it doesn't track well enough for tripping, I guess I'll have to build a different one :)

More pics of the shop and detail of the seat. I still am working on sliding blocks to attach the seat to the rails. My wife found the PP strapping with the pin stripes and at first I wasn't so sure, but once I mocked up a few webs over the frame it grew on me and I like the added flare.

Really Nice... like how you kept your color matching right.

Very nice. I like the split football on the bottom.

quote DeterminedOrange: "

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Your work is beautiful. Beautiful canoe. Congratulations. I also noticed your shop. Nice.



I am not familiar with the the NW passage. The canoe looks very similar to the Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker). Even the tumble home looked the same. "

Thanks everyone for the nice feedback. The NW Passage is described by Dennis Davidson (owner of NWC and designer of this canoe) as a Merlin with more rocker, 2" bow/1" stern. I struggled with deciding between the Merlin, Osprey or this model and just took a chance. If it doesn't track well enough for tripping, I guess I'll have to build a different one :)


More pics of the shop and detail of the seat. I still am working on sliding blocks to attach the seat to the rails. My wife found the PP strapping with the pin stripes and at first I wasn't so sure, but once I mocked up a few webs over the frame it grew on me and I like the added flare.



"

I built a Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker) and my only complaint about the hull design is that it tracks TOO good. Maneuverability in tight spots is difficult. In hindsight I should have gone with the NW Merlin with rocker.

Thanks much. I did a herringbone pattern (maybe not the right terminology, alternating might be a better description) where the strips come together on the ends. It was a a lot of work fitting them but looks nice even though it is hard to see unless you really look for it. The whole boat is hand beveled (not bead and cove) so I was pretty handy at tweaking angles by that point.

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "

quote DeterminedOrange: "

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Your work is beautiful. Beautiful canoe. Congratulations. I also noticed your shop. Nice.



I am not familiar with the the NW passage. The canoe looks very similar to the Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker). Even the tumble home looked the same. "

Thanks everyone for the nice feedback. The NW Passage is described by Dennis Davidson (owner of NWC and designer of this canoe) as a Merlin with more rocker, 2" bow/1" stern. I struggled with deciding between the Merlin, Osprey or this model and just took a chance. If it doesn't track well enough for tripping, I guess I'll have to build a different one :)



More pics of the shop and detail of the seat. I still am working on sliding blocks to attach the seat to the rails. My wife found the PP strapping with the pin stripes and at first I wasn't so sure, but once I mocked up a few webs over the frame it grew on me and I like the added flare.



"

I built a Merlin (Bruce Kunz design with no rocker) and my only complaint about the hull design is that it tracks TOO good. Maneuverability in tight spots is difficult. In hindsight I should have gone with the NW Merlin with rocker."

HPD, what other differences are there between the NW Merlin and Kunz Merlin you built (outstanding job by the way!)? Where did you get your plans?
Bryan

Stunning job on your canoe, love the seat as well, very well done.

Moonman.

Beautiful! I love the way that you handled the football!

Bryan
You asked about differences between the NW Merlin and the Kunz 1985 Merlin. The plans were obtained from a friend. As you can see, there are subtle differences between the two in most specs except length and rocker.

Kunz no rocker Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 15’ 6”
Beam at gunwales: 27.25”
Maximum beam: 29.5”
Beam 3” water line: 27.75”
Sheer bow: 15.5”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 11.75”
Finished weight: 42.5 lbs (my build)

NW Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 16'
Rocker bow: 1"
Rocker stern: 0.5"
Beam at gunwales: 26.5”
Maximum beam: 29”
Beam 3” water line: 27”
Sheer bow: 16”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 12”
Finished weight: ?

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Bryan
You asked about differences between the NW Merlin and the Kunz 1985 Merlin. The plans were obtained from a friend. As you can see, there are subtle differences between the two in most specs except length and rocker.


Kunz no rocker Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 15’ 6”
Beam at gunwales: 27.25”
Maximum beam: 29.5”
Beam 3” water line: 27.75”
Sheer bow: 15.5”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 11.75”
Finished weight: 42.5 lbs (my build)


NW Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 16'
Rocker bow: 1"
Rocker stern: 0.5"
Beam at gunwales: 26.5”
Maximum beam: 29”
Beam 3” water line: 27”
Sheer bow: 16”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 12”
Finished weight: ?"

Thanks for the interesting data. I was surprised by how subtle the differences are but can imagine the effect they have. Looking back through my notes I made the final decision to go with the Passage over the NW Merlin due to length. Since I want to do some solo tripping I liked the idea of less weight and was less concerned about speed. Fun stuff to think about.

quote HighPlainsDrifter: "
Bryan
You asked about differences between the NW Merlin and the Kunz 1985 Merlin. The plans were obtained from a friend. As you can see, there are subtle differences between the two in most specs except length and rocker.


Kunz no rocker Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 15’ 6”
Beam at gunwales: 27.25”
Maximum beam: 29.5”
Beam 3” water line: 27.75”
Sheer bow: 15.5”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 11.75”
Finished weight: 42.5 lbs (my build)


NW Merlin Specifications:
Asymmetric hull
Length: 16'
Rocker bow: 1"
Rocker stern: 0.5"
Beam at gunwales: 26.5”
Maximum beam: 29”
Beam 3” water line: 27”
Sheer bow: 16”
Sheer stern: 14.5”
Center depth: 12”
Finished weight: ?"

I should have a finished weight on a 38 special for you in about 2 weeks. Stay tuned for pictures. :)

Beautiful work. I like what you did with the gunwales, particularly at the stems.