How I'm spending my summer

[gsmittle]

Building a 20 ' cedar strip canoe in my 24' shop. I'd actually started it in June, but had to redo what stripping I'd started. Seems I misread the book and made the strips too wide.

g.

[leehljp]

That looks like it would be FUN to build!

[Black wallnut]

Good project.

[atgcpaul]

Can't wait to see more project pics. How many board feet of cedar did you start with?

[capncarl]

I've always talked about building a strip canoe. My son wants us to build strip kayaks, so today while in the Apalachicola Maritime Museum I signed up for information on their boat building classes for a Coho kayak. Maybe we can both go to class one week while the wives and children are at the beach. It's not a strip canoe but it is a good way to start.


not aoe

[gsmittle]

I've always talked about building a strip canoe. My son wants us to build strip kayaks, so today while in the Apalachicola Maritime Museum I signed up for information on their boat building classes for a Coho kayak. Maybe we can both go to class one week while the wives and children are at the beach. It's not a strip canoe but it is a good way to start.

A kayak is just a canoe with a lid! Let me know how the class is. There's a kayak on my project list, too. Unfortunately, the last couple of days have been FAR too hot & humid to work on it. Spending my time indoors pushing furniture around and planning a model railroad.

g.

[gsmittle]

Some progress the last couple of weekends.

g.

[capncarl]

Good progress! The weather is changing and you will be able to work on it with more comfort.
My son and I postponed our kayak class/build. $750 tuition (each) and kit cost of $1000 + (each ) is more that we wanted to spend wrecking our families week long vacation.

[LCHIEN]

Some progress the last couple of weekends.

g.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n827408[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n827409[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n827410[/ATTACH]

Wow! are those strips (looks like) stapled on? or are they glued on and glued to each other? What kind of glue?

[gsmittle]

Wow! are those strips (looks like) stapled on? or are they glued on and glued to each other? What kind of glue?

The strips are stapled to the forms, with some staples in between to keep the strips aligned. The strips are glued edge-to-edge to each other. The glue is Titebond II.

Once the shell is complete, I'll pull the staples, sand the whole thing, then cover it in fiberglass cloth and epoxy. Then do the same to the inside. Then add gunwales, thwarts, seats, make paddles, etc. I'm hoping to get it in the water next spring.

g.

[capncarl]

gsmittle, have you considered using the stitch and glue method for any of this construction? I've watched a number of boat builders use copper wire through holes in nearby slats and twist the wire to pull it together. It works better than clamps. Once glued the wire removes easily.

[gsmittle]

gsmittle, have you considered using the stitch and glue method for any of this construction? I've watched a number of boat builders use copper wire through holes in nearby slats and twist the wire to pull it together. It works better than clamps. Once glued the wire removes easily.

I hadn't thought of that! I have seen books that describe the stitch and glue method for plywood boats. It never occurred to me to use the method on cedar slats. That WOULD be easier than clamps. I'll give it a try.

g.