BWCA Cedar canoe dependability question Boundary Waters Group Forum: Boat Builders and Repair
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KarlBAndersen1
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06/14/2014 06:27AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
I hope I can ask this - how tough is a cedar strip canoe?
I really, really, really want to solo in my own strip-built canoe, but don't want to end up the creek without a paddle.
Or a roll of duct tape.

Will they take some abuse?
 
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tumblehome
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06/14/2014 07:28AM  
They're as tough as any Kevlar canoe.

My stripper turns 18 years old this year and has perhaps 2000 Quetico and BWCA miles on her. Tough as nails.

Build your canoe with 5oz glass on the outside and 4oz glass on the inside. My particular canoe also has another layer of 4oz glass below the waterline on the outside. I own a Merlin, the best wilderness solo canoe ever designed IMO.

I don't know where you live but I'll let you take mine for a test drive if you want to get a feel for one. I'm in northern MN. I see by your profile that you fit the bill for a wood canoe. Anyone that shoots muzzleloader and builds knives by hand needs a cedar canoe too. Really.
 
KarlBAndersen1
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06/14/2014 09:06AM  
I live near Warba on Rte 2 about 20 miles east of Grand Rapids.

I would be thrilled to paddle your canoe.

I have my Merlin plans from Northwest Canoe and would love to have it built before temp becomes an issue for glass lay-up.

And please feel free to check the edged tools sub-forum to see what I make.

quote tumblehome:
I don't know where you live but I'll let you take mine for a test drive if you want to get a feel for one. I'm in northern MN. I see by your profile that you fit the bill for a wood canoe. Anyone that shoots muzzleloader and builds knives by hand needs a cedar canoe too. Really."
 
tumblehome
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06/14/2014 11:01AM  
I'll check out your knives. I'm in Duluth. I passed through Warba last weekend on my way to Bemidji.

Tom
 
tumblehome
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06/14/2014 02:18PM  
Hopefully HighPlainsDrifter will chime in. He has one too but would prefer some rocker in it. My canoe has no rocker. However, I've paddled this canoe for so many years that I would not want to change a thing about it. It's up to the owner I guess.

Tom
 
06/15/2014 09:50PM  
You are welcome to test drive mine in Duluth as well. It is a .38 Special version
(3.8% larger) of the NW Canoe plans, but I modified the bow and stern to be built with inner and outer stems ala Canoecraft. When I modified it, I also took about half of the rocker out, so it is mid way between Tom's original design and the MN Canoe design. The forms are gathering dust, and I would sell them outright, or lend them out for a small donation of grain, yeast, and hops, or maybe an edged tool of some sort :). My strongback is gathering dust, too, so you could borrow that as well.

BTW, your knives are STUNNING!
 
KarlBAndersen1
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06/16/2014 07:03AM  
Thanks for the offer - and one I may take you up on.
I also plan for inner and outer gunwales.
I may just need to take a drive one of these days soon.

quote Wables: "You are welcome to test drive mine in Duluth as well. It is a .38 Special version
(3.8% larger) of the NW Canoe plans, but I modified the bow and stern to be built with inner and outer stems ala Canoecraft. When I modified it, I also took about half of the rocker out, so it is mid way between Tom's original design and the MN Canoe design. The forms are gathering dust, and I would sell them outright, or lend them out for a small donation of grain, yeast, and hops, or maybe an edged tool of some sort :). My strongback is gathering dust, too, so you could borrow that as well.

BTW, your knives are STUNNING!"
 
Red Beard
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06/18/2014 09:18PM  
They can take an amazing amount of punishment. Some maintenance is required but hey, it's a labor of love.
 
HighPlainsDrifter
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08/22/2014 08:47PM  
quote tumblehome: "Hopefully HighPlainsDrifter will chime in. He has one too but would prefer some rocker in it. My canoe has no rocker. However, I've paddled this canoe for so many years that I would not want to change a thing about it. It's up to the owner I guess.


Tom"


Day late and dollar short on chiming in..... Tom, it was by paddling your flat-keel-line Merlin that I was sold me on the Merlin (the original 1985 Kunz model). I once said that I would like more rocker, but I have changed. I do like my no rocker Merlin...... she is my first and as such she is a special canoe.
 
wingnut
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08/23/2014 08:16AM  
And a very good looking boat. Nice job on the build.
 
tumblehome
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08/25/2014 08:00AM  
HPD,

With a canoe like that it makes you wonder why anyone would paddle anything other than a wood canoe. That thing is just gorgeous.

I've had my Merlin since 1996 and I still marvel at her lines every time I look at her.

Tom
 
KarlBAndersen1
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08/26/2014 07:39AM  
If I am half as successful on my build as that one right there - I will be thrilled.
 
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