Hello Everyone,

I love the idea of building a canoe. I've never built a canoe but I'm a capable woodworker.

I've also never been canoe camping and I'm planning my first trip to the BWCA for next year.

In the meantime I think I might just try to build a boat.

I've looked at the Freedom 17-9 and the Green Valley Quetico (18-6?). The Quetico at least looks like a much better fit for me and my two daughters plus gear.

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

The Freedom would be an excellent choice in my opinion. I feel bigger is better when bringing kids. But a solo canoe will also be in your future, as few things are better than a evening solo paddle after a hard day at work !!!

To me canoe building was like learning to ride a bike. You don't quit after learning how !

Being an experienced wood worker is NOT a requirement. but certainly a plus !
I've helped many first timers, ranging from a girl in High School, a History teacher who's only power tool was a corded drill.
A computer programmer, a salesman, a dentist, a packing plant worker
and a Biology teacher. That is just a few.
Canoe builders come from all walks of life.

Good luck on your adventure !

Jim

I have built a couple of the John Winters Quetico, one at 18 1/2 feet the other stretched to 19 1/2 feet. Fantastic canoe, HUGE volume for 3 and turns and tracks very well. Green Valley carries most, if not all of Johns Winters designs. He is a designer for Swift canoe. Swift built the Quetico for a few years back in the early 2000s I think.
If you want bigger then the Quetico is your boat.
Green Valley I believe is a Canadian company that partners with Noahs Marine Supplies in the US for US customers. Check out the Noahs www. I got my Quetico plans from Northwest Canoe in StPaul MN. They sell John Winters design plans but had to special order the Quetico since they don't normaly carry it.
I am a big of Winters designs and have since built an Osprey solo stretched another foot and have plans to build a Winisk or Kipawa next.
CB

quote Cedarboy: "I have built a couple of the John Winters Quetico, one at 18 1/2 feet the other stretched to 19 1/2 feet. Fantastic canoe, HUGE volume for 3 and turns and tracks very well. Green Valley carries most, if not all of Johns Winters designs. He is a designer for Swift canoe. Swift built the Quetico for a few years back in the early 2000s I think.
CB"

So I'm also a bit concerned about the weight. I've seen a number of guys say that their 18.5 or 20' White Guide weighed in between 70-90 lbs. When I look at the specs on the Freedom 17-9 I think the weight is 55-60lbs*. Is this accurate based on your experience buiding the JW Quetico?

*Edit - Removed Quetico weight. I was looking at the wrong boat model when I claimed that it was 54 lbs.