so I am thinking about building a cedar strip canoe. It sounds like fun, and they look great, but I was hopeing someone here with exp could shed some light on plans and buying your own materials vs kits etc? Also I was thinking either Prospector 16’ or Nomad 17’, or possibly going smaller with a bob special 15’, any thoughts on that? Any advice here would be appreciated, I have read a lot of sites, and perused a lot of plans, watched some youtube vids, going to buy a book tomorrow…
and how much better do they paddle than say a comp or kevlar etc? ( I have never been in a wood canoe of any kind)
thank you
haven’t seen that site, or anything that indepth/similar, than you 
Building
Building a cedar stripper is a blast. I’ve done a few. You’ll save lots of money milling your own strips, etc., but buying a kit saves several days of work.
Personally, I’d go with the Nomad over the Prospector, but my favorite is Bear Mountain’s Freedom 17.
I’d say that they paddle about the same as a kevlar canoe. You’re essentially building a fiberglass canoe with a wood core.
You might want to check in at the canoe builder’s forum: http://www.bearmountainboats.com/phpbb2/index.php
YAHOO groups
cedar strip building . alot of good inf Also Check with the Northwest canoe shop in minnesota, they also have a great web messege site.
lots of info
The Wooden Canoe Heritage Assoc: More info that you can imagine:
http://www.wcha.org/
Wooden Canoe Builders Guild:
http://www.wcbguild.com/
Northwoods Canoe Co:
http://www.wooden-canoes.com/
this is good too:
http://www.steveambrose.net/woodshed/canoe-building/
In My Opinion
the best book on wood strip canoe construction is CanoeCraft by Ted Moores. He is the master and covers all the bases so that you can build a canoe that is both functional and beautiful.
Many years ago I participated in one of his classes, run through the Wooden Boat School. Ted is a great craftsman who also know how to teach.
Marc Ornstein
Dogpaddle Canoe Works
Custom Canoe Paddles and Wood Strip Canoes
my two cents
Try this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cedarstripcanoes/
They’ll be happy to answer any newbie questions.
Also, keep in mind that if you decide to not go with a kit and mill your material you’ll need lots of room. You’ll need infeed and outfeed area for 18’ long stock.
Build a cedar strip. It’s fun and rewarding to paddle a boat you made yourself.
thank you all
for the good info! much appreciated. I have plenty of room too, I have a 4 bay shop we only use two bays of at work, where I coincidentally live, so plenty of room. Will just have to get my dad to let me borrow his miter and table saw (the shop is a mechanic type shop not a wood shop) It will be a few weeks till I actually start the project, but when I do I will post some pics and vids, the more I read and see the more I want to do this
Joy in the making
– Last Updated: Apr-15-11 6:54 AM EST –
I have learned a great deal from other builders. The forums mentioned above are loaded with folks willing to share their expertise. My library is full of books on the subject and I have gained insight from all of them but I must agree with Marc that Ted Moores Canoecraft is superb. I have adopted many of his techniques and referenced its pages more frequently than any of my other books.
To the question of purchasing your own materials vs. a kit. If you have the ability to mill your own stock you can expect a tremendous savings. Shipping cost on long linear materials adds to the cost of kits. But don’t believe that building yourself will save tons of cash. Cedar, epoxy, glass, plans, materials for the strong back and station forms… it will all add up! Not to mention various tools that you will convince yourself you must have. The value in a strip built canoe comes from the joy in the making; there is also the pride factor when paddling. These are the only real advantages to paddling a stripper.
Not knowing your intended use, whether you paddle solo or tandem, I cannot recommend a particular plan. I probably wouldn’t even if I did. You will fall in love with one of the designs for some reason and it should be your first build. You must realize that this is an addictive hobby and there will be many canoes in your future. I will say that my first build was one of the smaller solo canoes. My thinking was that I’d learn and make mistakes on something small.
My latest build came off the strong back yesterday. It is a commission for Hemlock Canoe, a prototype design for a 14ft. systematical solo.
https://picasaweb.google.com/conk46er/TheHarrier#
conk
i have a copy coming, of the canoecraft. It seems to be the canoe building bible by popular vote I can def see where it would be addicting.
seeing as I own 2 tandems, i was orig thinking of another tandem, but think I am going to go solo. I already have seats, thwart, port yoke, grab handles, gunwales from a trashed canoe (the wood is in great shape) to use, so it will save me some cash clueless on the design though. Will primarily use it on flatwater, and maybe some solo trips with a dog for a week or so… any ideas (I am 5’10" 200 lbs fit I am dense & sink in water if i stop swimming for a sec) dog is 82lbs so with gear for us both a week I need atleast a 375lb weight disp prob maybe?? May have to build a 16’ tandem and just outfit it for a solo??
i was
looking at this northwest passage solo desing, but that kipiwas looks impresive with its weight allowance… could eve bring both dogs haha
Kipawa
The Kip is a fun boat to paddle solo, Canadian style, heeled to one side (with you kneeling off center). As a true solo, though, (including cross strokes) it’s awfully wide. I wouldn’t want to use one in any whitewater bigger than a riffle. Well, maybe a nice deep Class I.
I’m talking about the composite Kip, but I think the wood-strip version is the same design.
I don’t think you’ve said what kind of paddling you plan to do. That will affect what design you should build.
Mark
Mark
mostly I will use it for flatwater and tripping/camping solo, and slow rivers, but some WW would be cool if i could find a versatile enough hull, though prob nothing over a classIII, my exp is tripping etc, little WW exp, though better than a beginner, the Naty is no big deal though the ocoee would be challenging and wet for me I would like it to hold me, my dog, and gear for a week (I am a minimalist when camping alone and pack light as poss gear wise) I am 5’10" 200 lbs, my dog is 85-90 for when she goes so needs atleast 400 lbs weight rating or close to it. For the record I have no problem soloing a big boat, but like the 15’ shorter craft for river nav.
Great Photos
Paul,
Your photos wonderfully show the build process and your attention to detail. I’d like to see what Dave does with the concept.
Bruce