I woke up this morning and realized it was time to build another canoe. It's probably been 6 years since my last one. At the time I was designing and building canoes like crazy. I'd actually just completed a new design and had transferred it to a thumb drive for printing the next day when suddenly I decided to sell my house. This completely changed my focus as I now had a new house to remodel and no shop to build canoes in. And while I've had multiple projects and hobbies in that time I really haven't felt the desire to build another canoe.
And then, for some reason, when I woke up this morning I suddenly realized it was now or never to build this design. Six years ago I'd began mentoring a 6 year old boy. I also had a friend with two small boys who I really enjoyed spending time with. This canoe was designed for them.
It's 13' long with a 32.5" beam. Symmetrical hull with a bit of rocker. It will be built with 3/16" strips, probably 4oz. cloth, and light trim. I want it to be light enough for kids to carry easily.
The intended uses of the canoe are day paddles as a:
A: Tandem with an adult and a little kid
B: Tandem for 2 kids
C: Adult with dog
I'm now mentoring 2 boys but they would be too big to paddle it tandem. Either of them could solo it.
My friends' boys are at the perfect size and age for paddling it tandem.
If I don't build this canoe soon they're all going to be big boys. I want this canoe to be completed so they can use it as young boys with a sense of adventure and freedom.
It will also be a great opportunity to finish cleaning up the shop and get in the habit of working in there again. Despite having a lovely heated shop full of wood and woodworking equipment I've hardly touched it the last couple years. I'm hoping this will get me excited about woodworking again.
I should have plenty of cedar and fiberglass leftover from the building days and I have plenty of wood for trim so I should only have to buy the resin. I think I have enough carbon and kevlar that I could make a composite copy of the hull as well. If I make a composite copy I'll probably leave one of the hulls with my friends in Minneapolis. They live on a slough so the boys could carry it from the yard right down to the water.
Alan
And then, for some reason, when I woke up this morning I suddenly realized it was now or never to build this design. Six years ago I'd began mentoring a 6 year old boy. I also had a friend with two small boys who I really enjoyed spending time with. This canoe was designed for them.
It's 13' long with a 32.5" beam. Symmetrical hull with a bit of rocker. It will be built with 3/16" strips, probably 4oz. cloth, and light trim. I want it to be light enough for kids to carry easily.
The intended uses of the canoe are day paddles as a:
A: Tandem with an adult and a little kid
B: Tandem for 2 kids
C: Adult with dog
I'm now mentoring 2 boys but they would be too big to paddle it tandem. Either of them could solo it.
My friends' boys are at the perfect size and age for paddling it tandem.
If I don't build this canoe soon they're all going to be big boys. I want this canoe to be completed so they can use it as young boys with a sense of adventure and freedom.
It will also be a great opportunity to finish cleaning up the shop and get in the habit of working in there again. Despite having a lovely heated shop full of wood and woodworking equipment I've hardly touched it the last couple years. I'm hoping this will get me excited about woodworking again.
I should have plenty of cedar and fiberglass leftover from the building days and I have plenty of wood for trim so I should only have to buy the resin. I think I have enough carbon and kevlar that I could make a composite copy of the hull as well. If I make a composite copy I'll probably leave one of the hulls with my friends in Minneapolis. They live on a slough so the boys could carry it from the yard right down to the water.
Alan