American Indian/ Explorer-type Box

[dugkim]

I can't remember where I saw this but I saw a special on American Indian or explorer type canoes and they did a featurette on a box to hold your stuff that was made to fit over the gunwales and in the center of your canoe.

Does anyone know what I speak of? Do you know what these boxes are called or if plans are available to build them? I think it would be quite easy to do myself, but interested in a bit of history and examples of period boxes.

 

[Benson Gray]

I believe that a wannigan is what you are looking for. The thread at http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?t=2438 has lots of good information about these. The Wooden Canoe Journal issue 114 from December, 2002 has an article about how to build a nice one as shown in the images below. Copies of this are available on the CD at http://woodencanoe.org/catalog/prod...d=464&osCsid=94d5aaef66479e3a1d39320c8f9c423a or individual copies are available also. Feel free to reply here if this doesn't answer your question.

Benson

 

[Denis M. Kallery]

Benson,
Think your avatar is great! Very pleased you were able to get this canoe. Denis

 

[dugkim]

That's it!

The amount of knowledge available in this forum continually impresses me. Thanks, Benson. I had purchased the CD archive a few weeks back and will look up the article you reference.

Although I can appreicate the aesthetic, I agree and would not be interested in a curve-bottom design. The convenience of the "box" wins in my mind. Additionally, I am thinking of one that does not sit on the bottom of the canoe, but rather is suspended from the gunwales, as mentioned above. I have a design in mind that would allow a friend's two small boys to sit abreast atop the box. I am working it through in my mind presently as we're planning a trip to the White Cliffs on the Upper Missouri this summer.

Any input/insight on the Montana trip would be greatly appreciated.

Any other wanigan sites, articles or input would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Benson Gray]

I am thinking of one that does not sit on the bottom of the canoe, but rather is suspended from the gunwales, as mentioned above. I have a design in mind that would allow a friend's two small boys to sit abreast atop the box.

You may find that two small boys high on top of a box in a canoe may not work well. I found that it was better to put small children in the bottom of the canoe if you want everyone to stay dry. Your mileage may vary...

Benson

 

[garypete]

Cedar/Canvas Wannigan

Jack Hurley of Dwight, ON, builds a furniture-grade wannigan with steamed cedar ribs on the outside and a smooth planking finish on the inside. His are purchased more as furniture accent tables than as working wannigans.

See Jack's work at:

​

http://www.greenval.com/hurley.html

Gary