Project Lame Duct

TNRiverRat

Curious about Wooden Canoes
Hey whats goin on. I just joined the forum a few days ago, my names Brendan. Theres alot of good information here, im glad i found the place :cool: Anyways I'm building my first tape and glue canoe. I've got a little experience in construction, machining, fabrication, and done quite a bit of wood working. Built docks for 6 years, owned a few boats. Spent alot of time on the water. Jack of all trades, master of none! Im an avid canoer, takin a couple trips a summer using rental canoe's. I drive almost 2 hours to rent canoes, and I live 5 minutes from the lake, river, and creeks. I decided I wanted my own canoe, and after looking at the prices of the canoes that had the things i want, building myself was an easy choice! I'm basically using the method for tape and glue. I did a little reading, and the asymmetrical hull seemed like it suited my purpose. The sides are almost straight up and down, bottom is flat with a very slight curve up at the front and back. I added a 1x2 strip on the bottom, vertically if you will, to allow an attachment point with screws, and give the bottom a little strength to the bottom. I'm unsure about a keel. The boat is 16' tip to tip, and 32" wide. I dont really want the keel for tracking, more for rocks and such. I'm planning on spraying bedliner smooth on the bottom. I'm using fiberglass mat for all the seams inside and out, and butt blocks sealed with liquid nails, and will be glassed over. I'm planning on making a cooler in the middle, essentially a plywood box to strengthen the canoe with a styrofoam cooler inserted. I want a dry storage box on each end, for camping gear and what not. I guess my biggest question is where to put the seats? My girlfriend is about 95lbs, i'm about 220. Another advantage of the asymmetrical hull design, was i could sit closer to the widest part of the canoe for better weight distribution...i hope :p I dont think i want my seat at the widest part of the hull, for paddling purposes. I'm guessing 18"-24"? I've also got alot of 1x2 strips, im planning on ribbing the inside every 24" to strengthen the canoe. This 1/4" plywood makes me a little nervous. It's 16' long. The widest point is 32" and is 9' from the front of the boat. The angles came from a piece of pvc. I didnt have any scientific formulas to figure out the best curves, just kinda winged it. I'm not planning on hitting any rapids, or doing anything crazy. I want a cheap, fun canoe for me, my girl, and the dogs to use. Any input/suggestions is very appreciated!!

923560_10200599636386540_1034189971_n.jpg


376169_10200599638466592_185306313_n.jpg


68528_10200599637826576_713381261_n.jpg


65660_10200599637906578_1743481870_n.jpg


430491_10200599638586595_1184098148_n.jpg


525215_10200599641826676_1111706354_n.jpg


315666_10200599641706673_1423495082_n.jpg
 
Welcome. I don't know much about stich and glue I think it is called. But welcome. And careful of the bug. You might find another canoe, cheap, only needing a litttle TLC.
 
Ingenuity! Have fun and try to think about the delicate balance between light weight and strength/durability.
 
:cool: Just messing with you guys. Believe me there will be 25 cameras out there. Everyone I know thinks it's gonna sink!
 
Did a little bit of work on the Canoe this evening after work. I guess its called the outwale. Hopefully tomorrow i'll get the inwale put in, the dry storage lids cut out, and all the inside seams fiberglassed. Thursday build the cooler and paint, this weekend test her out!

44441_10200619778610083_1081909264_n.jpg


301903_10200619780010118_784188324_n.jpg
 
My best guess is that you're hooked. Your next one likely be a different design and probably lighter in weight. Looks good.
 
You don't have to lie Gil, I know it looks like hammered shat! But thats not what my focus is on for this canoe. This canoe is just built to have fun. As long as it floats, its a success. I have learned quite a bit for future canoes. One day i'll take my time, use some nice materials, and build something that'll last a lifetime. This canoe will let me know what i like/dont like, and what works and doesnt work. I'm excited to get it done and on the water! I'll post some more pics tomorrow. Thanks for the advice!
 
TNRiverRat, Your canoe looks great compared to my plywood canoe. I have built at least 5 or6 solo plywood canoes of many different designs. The one that I have now is 13 1/2' long, 32" wide, and made of 2 sheets of 1/8" Luaun "door skin" with 1oz. fiberglass cloth on the exterior of the bottom. It has scarphed cedar inwales and no outwales. The design is flat bottom, flared sides, raked stem, and 1" rocker. It weighs about 40 lbs and is quite ugly. After 12 years, I like this simple design best for small river fishing. I take it places that I would never take a more expensive canoe.
 
I'm having a blast building this thing! I can't wait to get it out on the water. Looking like nice weather tomorrow, somewhere in the 70's. Should be warm enough for the resin to harden. I've still got to build the tops for the storage boxes. I think im just gonna use piano hinges and some kind of rubber gasket to help keep water out. Also gotta seal the inside seams, a few more trim pieces, build the cooler box, and paint. Sounds like alot left as i type it :p Oh well, back at it tomorrow.
 
Alright, I know its been awhile, but the weather really hasnt been cooperating. Had a day or two of nice weather. Was planning to have the resin on the inside seams done, but apparently i put too much of the hardener in, i had jelly in about 10 minutes. Oh well, live and learn. I did get the tops cut, decided to fiberglass them in and make some kind of sealable access hole. Also decided some steel i had laying around, to use as supports and bumpers. used some 1x3's to make front and rear bumpers. Slow, but making progress. Ill post some more pics Sunday, supposed to be nice this weekend, might get something done!

This is the front support. Its screwed to the 1x3 that is glued and screwed to the plywood

954774_10200713934203914_1896843517_n.jpg


Here is the rear support/bumper.

947271_10200713934283916_1970121559_n.jpg



A couple shots of the tops for the dry storage boxes/crush zones. I'm gonna fill the first 12" from the front and rear points with foam, just incase something does get punctured. The rest of the box will be used for dry storage of camping supplies/clothes/etc..

163504_10200713934483921_455678609_n.jpg


480339_10200713936683976_1836129028_n.jpg
 
IMG_20130519_192547.jpg

Got the rubberized coating on the bottom, and marine paint on the side. All the inside seams are resined. Its starting to look like something
 
IMG_20130525_164201.jpg

All ready for the water! Took her out lastnight for a teat run. Took on a little water, but I found the problem and I'm confident its fixed. Paddled great, tracked straight, I'm happy! Gonna test it again tomorrow, hopefully ill be able to report a dry boat!
 
Back
Top