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Wood strip canoe building

5K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  Magnum 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I am looking for a good guide or book to building a wood strip canoe. Anyone have experience building a wood strip canoe and what did you use to learn the process?

Thanks
YT75
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the book Harry mentioned. "Building a Strip Canoe" by Gil Gilpatrick. Mine was published in 1979. by "DeLorme Publishing Company", Yarmouth, Maine,04096" ISBN 0-89933-000-2 in case you decide to go looking for it.

The last few Pages have 1/2 Size Form Templates for a number of canoes. And. Surprise! It also has Full Size Form Templates in a Pocket in the back of the book for a 14' Puddle Duck, a 16' Laker, a 16' Whitewater, and a 19' River Runner.

I've wanted to do one for a Long Time Now. I helped a friend in Ottawa build 2 of them from the same book. Very Easy to follow, Hundreds of Diagrams and Well Explained. They where Beautiful when they were done!! It's not hard work by any means but it does take a lot of time.

It's the "Strong Back" Method with Forms attached to it. Lay up the 1/4"x 3/4" Cedar or Pine Strips on the Forms and on and on. He prefers Cedar to Pine because of the Final Color and also the Weight is less.

The Strips are Natural Square Edge, butted together and glued. Fiberglass In & Out.

At one time I know that Lee Valley sold 2 Special Router Bits. One for cutting a Convex Edge on the Strips and one for cutting a Concave Edge on the Strips. Makes for a better and Tighter Fit, but not sure if it's worth the effort.

Hope it's of some help YT,

EDIT: I just checked Lee Valley. They are known as "Large Diameter Flute & Bead Bits" Item # 16J42.10 at $54.40 for the Pair and about $30.00 Each. Link is HERE if it works…LOL..

WOW! It Works!!

Rick
 
#7 ·
Remember to save some money and hit up your local library!

If they don't have what you are looking for, they can request specific titles through the Inter-Library Loan system.

Saves you some money for buying the materials for your canoe! Best of luck!
 
#8 ·
I bought a set of router bits on ebay. They were around $30 with shipping. Do a search for "canoe bits" or "flute and bead". I've used them for two canoes so far and they should last for quite a few more.

Get the latest editions of both books listed here. THey each have multiple plans in them.

You can buy them both for less than you would pay for just one set of plans
 
#12 ·
Rick, I came to this post, well, you know why I came to this post.
Anyway, I have a question.
You commented about the book that…..
"The last few Pages have 1/2 Size Form Templates for a number of canoes. And. Surprise! It also has Full Size Form Templates in a Pocket in the back of the book for a 14' Puddle Duck, a 16' Laker, a 16' Whitewater, and a 19' River Runner"
Now maybe I'm talking about different kinds of patterns.
Does this mean that in the pocket is full size patterns to build a 14 - 19' (that's feet) boats?
If I'm reading this right, then WOW!
I'm sorry. I'm not interested in building a boat, but when I read this, I couldn't help but notice because I have paid upwards of thirty bucks for full size plans of simple furniture pieces. I don't mind paying top dollar for good plans, especially when they include full size pattern, because full size makes things easier. It means I don't have to resize stuff (something I'm not good at and hate doing).
So do you or anyone else know the price of this book?
 
#13 ·
William:

Think I might have ben a little to Vague about "Full Size Plans". They are Full Size "Profiles" of the "Form Pieces" (1/2" or 3/4" Plywood) that you attach Standing Vertically to a "Strongback" that is probably attached to "Saw Horses" or has Legs of it's own.

The Canoe is basically Upside down at this Point. The "Forms" are spaced (18" to 22"apart) from one end of the Strongback/Canoe to the other. You "Lay Up" (Glue & Staple/Nail) the 1/4"x3/4' Cedar or Pine Strips ONTO those "Forms" (Horizontally) running from one end of the Canoe to the other until you've completed the "Bottom or Hull" of the Canoe.

Once that is complete a LOT of Scrapping and Sanding to smooth it all down, then 2/3 Layers of Fiberglass Epoxied on.

The Book I speak of above is ONLY Canoes. I've had my copy for at least 12/15 Years. The Price Tag says $10.95.

BUT! There would be a HUGE Difference between this Book and one that had Full Size Furniture Plans.

Hope that explains it. I'll keep this Post on MY "Watch List" if you need more Info., or you can PM me if you'd rather.

Regards:Rick
 
#14 ·
I think you explained it well. I was confused I think because I didn't really give much thought to how to build a canoe. After reading your response though, it makes sense that full size forms would have to be build to actuall form the shape of the canoe.
Now to explain to you how easily I get confused. I was trying to figure out how they made full size patterns for a nineteen foot piece. Yea, I think I had what I call a brain fart.
 
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