samb
Wooden Canoe Maniac
Back in December last year I asked for advice on altering a 16 ft form into a 14 ft one. The general advice was that it could be done but the results might not be too good. I did it anyway and am not far from finishing canoe #1.
This is the shortened form. The stations were set at 1 ft centres so removing two gave me the 14ft I wanted
Off the form it looks ok, but obviously I'll not know till it's on the water. I'm guessing the original form was designed around a prospector shape. It will be interesting to compare it with my 14 ft chestnut prospector ( which I don't think is very nice to paddle).
Canvas went on nicely and then filling and painting. Now just needs the gunnels shaping and varnishing, one more undercoat and then topcoat.
I'm pleased with how it's looking, but there are things I'll be changing for the next one:
The way I altered the form left me with an even number of ribs so I have two screws next to each other in the middle. This will be changed when I address the second problem which is quite a few of the metal strips are not tight to the form and those that are at the ends are nowhere near the correct angle. I'll be removing them all and re fitting them better.
I'm fairly sure the canoe is too deep. The channels for the inwales are not in line with the tumblehome on the form so when fixing that I can reduce the depth quite easily.
I'll probably be done in time for our WCHA UK meeting but the paint won't be hard enough to strap it on the car so I'll have to take another.
Sam
This is the shortened form. The stations were set at 1 ft centres so removing two gave me the 14ft I wanted
Off the form it looks ok, but obviously I'll not know till it's on the water. I'm guessing the original form was designed around a prospector shape. It will be interesting to compare it with my 14 ft chestnut prospector ( which I don't think is very nice to paddle).
Canvas went on nicely and then filling and painting. Now just needs the gunnels shaping and varnishing, one more undercoat and then topcoat.
I'm pleased with how it's looking, but there are things I'll be changing for the next one:
The way I altered the form left me with an even number of ribs so I have two screws next to each other in the middle. This will be changed when I address the second problem which is quite a few of the metal strips are not tight to the form and those that are at the ends are nowhere near the correct angle. I'll be removing them all and re fitting them better.
I'm fairly sure the canoe is too deep. The channels for the inwales are not in line with the tumblehome on the form so when fixing that I can reduce the depth quite easily.
I'll probably be done in time for our WCHA UK meeting but the paint won't be hard enough to strap it on the car so I'll have to take another.
Sam
