Has anyone ever built a canoe?
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Chrisz
Über Member
- Location
- Sittingbourne
I built one years and years ago (I'll try and find a pic later) - it was actually a kayak mind you!
A couple of basics, measure twice, measure again and cut once
Don't be in a rush with the GRP and always use decent quality resin/clear hardener - I got mine from a ships chandlers in quite large quantities.
Get yourself a pack of disposable latex gloves and tie your hair back (I ended up with a kayak stuck to my head once!!)
Enjoy the experience
A couple of basics, measure twice, measure again and cut once
Don't be in a rush with the GRP and always use decent quality resin/clear hardener - I got mine from a ships chandlers in quite large quantities.
Get yourself a pack of disposable latex gloves and tie your hair back (I ended up with a kayak stuck to my head once!!)
Enjoy the experience
Seen it done by a mate but never tried it.
I assume you've seen Ray Mears make his Birch Bark Canoe - amazing programme.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=c1J1-bup-7s
I assume you've seen Ray Mears make his Birch Bark Canoe - amazing programme.
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=c1J1-bup-7s
downfader
extimus uero philosophus
- Location
- 'ampsheeeer
[QUOTE 1174476"]
No, it wasn't Ray Mears that has inspired me. I have an inflatable canoe, and although it's dead good, I really fancy making one over the coming months. A friend pointed me towrads 'Song of the Paddle' a forum on open canoeing, and lots of people on there have made their own. It looks (moderately) straight forward so I thought why not....... what can possibly go wrong
[/quote]
My Father half made one. He made a rig to hold a moulding frame and layered the materials around it, if you get me. Trouble is he's a) easily distracted and b) c**p at DIY
No, it wasn't Ray Mears that has inspired me. I have an inflatable canoe, and although it's dead good, I really fancy making one over the coming months. A friend pointed me towrads 'Song of the Paddle' a forum on open canoeing, and lots of people on there have made their own. It looks (moderately) straight forward so I thought why not....... what can possibly go wrong
[/quote]
My Father half made one. He made a rig to hold a moulding frame and layered the materials around it, if you get me. Trouble is he's a) easily distracted and b) c**p at DIY
C
chillyuk
Guest
I have built a couple of boats, one a kayak and one a conventional row boat, using stitch and glue. It is easy as long as you are accurate with your jigsaw.
The rowboat was stitched with copper wire, but the kayak was done with cable ties. I invested in a cable tie pulling tool for that.
Both boats are still in use (but not by me) and are still in good order after 10 years use.
What I would like is a sit-on kayak plan for stitch and glue.
This is a good site with good instructionals, some free plans and good links.
Bateau
The rowboat was stitched with copper wire, but the kayak was done with cable ties. I invested in a cable tie pulling tool for that.
Both boats are still in use (but not by me) and are still in good order after 10 years use.
What I would like is a sit-on kayak plan for stitch and glue.
This is a good site with good instructionals, some free plans and good links.
Bateau
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
[QUOTE 1174473"]
Has anyone else ever built their own? How did it go? Did you cover yourself in epoxy resin and have been waterproof since?
[/quote]
Yes, I first built a Mirror sailing dinghy, then a rowing skiff, which is really just a canoe hull, then a 26Ft catamaran, all by the stitch and glue method, it was fun and is tolerant of minor deviations regarding accuracy when cutting the wood.
I think the main thing to watch for is ensuring the hull is true before applying any resin.
Even with all stitching tight, there can be a bit of flexing. You might find it helpful to build a small jig or cradle to hold the hull and ensure everything is square, then apply the resin and check again for true before the resin sets.
Maybe things have changed since my last boat, but I don't think you should get in too much of a mess with the resin, but do wear the gloves and have a place covered in newspapers to set things down. The brushes can only be used once, don't even bother trying to clean them. Have hot water available for handwashing, and wash immediately rather than waiting until the end of the session if the resin gets on your skin.
I used the WEST Epoxy system for the catamaran which required several 5 gallon drums of resin, but the canoe was much more straightforward.
Good Luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the construction.
Has anyone else ever built their own? How did it go? Did you cover yourself in epoxy resin and have been waterproof since?
[/quote]
Yes, I first built a Mirror sailing dinghy, then a rowing skiff, which is really just a canoe hull, then a 26Ft catamaran, all by the stitch and glue method, it was fun and is tolerant of minor deviations regarding accuracy when cutting the wood.
I think the main thing to watch for is ensuring the hull is true before applying any resin.
Even with all stitching tight, there can be a bit of flexing. You might find it helpful to build a small jig or cradle to hold the hull and ensure everything is square, then apply the resin and check again for true before the resin sets.
Maybe things have changed since my last boat, but I don't think you should get in too much of a mess with the resin, but do wear the gloves and have a place covered in newspapers to set things down. The brushes can only be used once, don't even bother trying to clean them. Have hot water available for handwashing, and wash immediately rather than waiting until the end of the session if the resin gets on your skin.
I used the WEST Epoxy system for the catamaran which required several 5 gallon drums of resin, but the canoe was much more straightforward.
Good Luck, I'm sure you will enjoy the construction.
Piemaster
Guru
- Location
- UK City of Culture
Not built one, but I do sail one, and have an inflatable too.
The west system I found good to use when patching up an old Phantom dinghy. It didn't look very pretty at the end but then I was just aiming to get it on the water and one season out of it (it was particularly decrepit). Looks were not important, an I did actually get 3 seasons from it.
The sailing canoe is 40" wide so not great to paddle - but then I'm more a sailor than a paddler anyway.
The west system I found good to use when patching up an old Phantom dinghy. It didn't look very pretty at the end but then I was just aiming to get it on the water and one season out of it (it was particularly decrepit). Looks were not important, an I did actually get 3 seasons from it.
The sailing canoe is 40" wide so not great to paddle - but then I'm more a sailor than a paddler anyway.
Randochap
Senior hunter
- Location
- British Columbia, Canada
I helped a friend build a kayak -- marine ply/fibreglass resin. It was a stinky process though not too difficult. Unfortunately, it rode a bit high in the water for his taste and so he sold it to some poor, unsuspecting sod.
Damn you Maggot! My mind is working overtime now. Seen these fellas. Ultimately I want to make a sailing boat but an easy kit canoe is very tempting to see if I have the skills and ability first.
PpPete
Legendary Member
- Location
- Chandler's Ford
Friend of mine built a stitch&glue kayak.
I put a big hole in it when I went through some white water following a bunch of mates in GRP boats
I put a big hole in it when I went through some white water following a bunch of mates in GRP boats
Piemaster
Guru
- Location
- UK City of Culture
You could stick a small rig on it. Go have a look here. The group has regular camping excursions and has just had one to Loch Lomond.
C'mon Maggott where you up to? I'm pretty sure I'm going to build one now (was going to buy one anyway). I've sized out the shed, read lots of blogs and unlocked the mysteries of ply, chines, Inwhales and Outwhaes, scarf joints, epoxy, seat making etc.... I'm pretty sure I'll buy a Selway Fisher plan because there's a Yahoo support group for the build, just can't quite decide which one, a Christine or a Waterman which as Piemaster suggests, I could fit sails too.
Of course planning is one thing but I've got a few things to do before I actually start it and a few bits of kit to buy too. Mind you I'm way ahead in my mind, i've already started building a pram dinghy for me and the kids after the canoe
Of course planning is one thing but I've got a few things to do before I actually start it and a few bits of kit to buy too. Mind you I'm way ahead in my mind, i've already started building a pram dinghy for me and the kids after the canoe
