Build A Canoe
- Thread starter Nightbird
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SweetErika
Fingers Crossed
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- Apr 27, 2004
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My father-in-law is an avid wooden boat builder. He gets a lot of advice from books and boatbuilding websites. I don't think he's ever built a canoe from scratch, but he's done major restoration/rebuilding on several wood-canvas canoes. I do know quality boat restoration and building is a hell of a lot of work and very expensive (though, I suppose if you have most of the tools, it's probably not too costly).
What kind of canoe are looking to build? Have you checked out building and restoration forums for that type of canoe, or canoes in general? Are you a novice or experienced at building boats?
If you give us more specifics, I could ask him if he recommends particular websites and books for your skill level and type of canoe.
What kind of canoe are looking to build? Have you checked out building and restoration forums for that type of canoe, or canoes in general? Are you a novice or experienced at building boats?
If you give us more specifics, I could ask him if he recommends particular websites and books for your skill level and type of canoe.
Nightbird
Literotica Guru
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- Sep 22, 2002
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Hi Erika!!
I'm totally a novice, and I was thinking for my first attempt something easy and relatively cheap.
I know there is a type that uses a couple of sheets of Plywood and fiberglass (I think it's called Stitch and Glue but I'm not really sure what that means) and it's my understanding thats much easier than the strip kind?
What I want is a canoe thats at least 15 feet long for two adults, and I'm not able to spend alot of money.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. If this wasn't enough information please let me know.
I'm totally a novice, and I was thinking for my first attempt something easy and relatively cheap.
I know there is a type that uses a couple of sheets of Plywood and fiberglass (I think it's called Stitch and Glue but I'm not really sure what that means) and it's my understanding thats much easier than the strip kind?
What I want is a canoe thats at least 15 feet long for two adults, and I'm not able to spend alot of money.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.. If this wasn't enough information please let me know.
mjl2010
Older and Wiser
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Posts
- 1,696
The stitch and glue method is fairly easy. What do you mean by expensive? If you think you'll find some plans, buy materials and spend less than say $400, forget it. The resin kit alone is over $100. By the time you buy the plywood and other materials you'll need, you'll spend over 400 for sure.
As an example, this boat building site has this Huron 15' design.
You can buy the plans, the frame kit, the fiberglass kit and the fastener kit for the measly price of $520.00 and you still haven't purchased the plywood. I'd suggest you buy the video too, building boats from plywood. Also the fiberglass video. Another $50-60.
You can beautiful boats from wood, but they are expensive.
MJL
As an example, this boat building site has this Huron 15' design.
You can buy the plans, the frame kit, the fiberglass kit and the fastener kit for the measly price of $520.00 and you still haven't purchased the plywood. I'd suggest you buy the video too, building boats from plywood. Also the fiberglass video. Another $50-60.
You can beautiful boats from wood, but they are expensive.
MJL
Nightbird
Literotica Guru
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- Sep 22, 2002
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I really am horrible at communicating..
Ok here where I live in Ontario Canada I can buy a fiberglass Canoe in the size I want for $700 Canadian.
However I can get canoe building plans for free. I can get Plywood relatively cheaply.. The most expensive part will be the fibreglassing materials.
After talking to some people and doing some rough pricing I can do it for under 700.. Which somehow in my mind sounded relatively inexpensive.
I was thinking cheap as in under thousands of dollars.
Ok here where I live in Ontario Canada I can buy a fiberglass Canoe in the size I want for $700 Canadian.
However I can get canoe building plans for free. I can get Plywood relatively cheaply.. The most expensive part will be the fibreglassing materials.
After talking to some people and doing some rough pricing I can do it for under 700.. Which somehow in my mind sounded relatively inexpensive.
I was thinking cheap as in under thousands of dollars.
mjl2010
Older and Wiser
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2007
- Posts
- 1,696
Just remember to purchase marine grade plywood. For a canoe, I'd suggest 1/4 inch. (5mm if I recall correctly.)
For a stitch and glue job, you want to make sure you take your time and make sure everything fits perfectly. Instead of long scarf joints, you'll be using butt joints. It's really easy to say, Oh I can fill that gap with resin. But the joint will be weak and as you shoot those rapids and your canoe falls apart, you'll wish you'd taken your time, measured everything six times before cutting it and followed the directions exactly.
Plan to spend two weekends on a simple design, more if it gets elaborate.
Good luck.
MJL
For a stitch and glue job, you want to make sure you take your time and make sure everything fits perfectly. Instead of long scarf joints, you'll be using butt joints. It's really easy to say, Oh I can fill that gap with resin. But the joint will be weak and as you shoot those rapids and your canoe falls apart, you'll wish you'd taken your time, measured everything six times before cutting it and followed the directions exactly.
Plan to spend two weekends on a simple design, more if it gets elaborate.
Good luck.
MJL
P
plaidpete
Guest
Also take a look at Chesepeake Light Craft - they produce a great line of kits.
clcboats.com
clcboats.com
