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Happy 1st Sighting of Pacific Ocean by Lewis & Clark (1805)! 🧭
Freedom Solo 16'
- Thread starter Cruiser
- Start date
OK, got a chance for a first test float down at the harbor mouth today ...
Getting the canoe loaded up to go
Ready to carry to the water
Trim is very good, it tracks well .... but I felt a little smaller in the pic
Even got a short clip ..... not long, but I am pretty happy, it is very responsive and stable
https://photos.google.com/u/0/search/_tv_Videos/photo/AF1QipNXflCDJTr_cUhzlpsuhPNZWLAGTViJlEWE6YA_
Brian
Getting the canoe loaded up to go
Ready to carry to the water
Trim is very good, it tracks well .... but I felt a little smaller in the pic
Even got a short clip ..... not long, but I am pretty happy, it is very responsive and stable
https://photos.google.com/u/0/search/_tv_Videos/photo/AF1QipNXflCDJTr_cUhzlpsuhPNZWLAGTViJlEWE6YA_
Brian
Just for those interested in such things, I kept a record of the components weights as I put this canoe together .... it isn't exact, but it is pretty close. The goal for this build was to lose weight, increase seat strength and not lose any structural strength, so I needed to know where I was spending my weight credits.
As Alan pointed out in another thread, it is the things you add on after the hull is complete that will make the biggest difference in the final weight, I personally believe that gunnels are almost always overbuilt and add the most unnecessary weight to a build, followed by the decks and thwarts, I also cut down on the handle size and trimmed all the hardware to length.
Component Weight Summary
Component Lbs
Cedar Hull weight 18.59
Inner Glass 5.50
Outter Glass 6.05
Gunnel/Decks 2.86
Handles/Thwarts 0.75
Foot Braces 1.55
Seat Cleats 0.96
Seat 1.32
Varnish (7 coats) 1.80
Total 39.38 ( Goal was 40 pounds)
Just to give an example, using standard 3/4" x 3/4" x 16' ash gunnels will weigh in the neighbourhood of 10-11 #s ... add a couple of 3/4" decks and that would easily float into the 13# region, this build spent 2.86 #s on the decks and gunnels, a difference of 10 pounds and I used cherry gunnels .... I didn't resort to softwoods.
I used 6 oz glass with 3 epoxy coats outside and 2 inside ... using lighter glass would give some weight savings, but it is clear from the list that this area a) isn't a major weight area b) it does/may compromise hull strength.
Just a few thoughts and extended build info ... I learned quite a bit on this build about where the weight piles on.
Brian
As Alan pointed out in another thread, it is the things you add on after the hull is complete that will make the biggest difference in the final weight, I personally believe that gunnels are almost always overbuilt and add the most unnecessary weight to a build, followed by the decks and thwarts, I also cut down on the handle size and trimmed all the hardware to length.
Component Weight Summary
Component Lbs
Cedar Hull weight 18.59
Inner Glass 5.50
Outter Glass 6.05
Gunnel/Decks 2.86
Handles/Thwarts 0.75
Foot Braces 1.55
Seat Cleats 0.96
Seat 1.32
Varnish (7 coats) 1.80
Total 39.38 ( Goal was 40 pounds)
Just to give an example, using standard 3/4" x 3/4" x 16' ash gunnels will weigh in the neighbourhood of 10-11 #s ... add a couple of 3/4" decks and that would easily float into the 13# region, this build spent 2.86 #s on the decks and gunnels, a difference of 10 pounds and I used cherry gunnels .... I didn't resort to softwoods.
I used 6 oz glass with 3 epoxy coats outside and 2 inside ... using lighter glass would give some weight savings, but it is clear from the list that this area a) isn't a major weight area b) it does/may compromise hull strength.
Just a few thoughts and extended build info ... I learned quite a bit on this build about where the weight piles on.
Brian
Great weight summary ! Did you record the amount of resin you used ? Guessing close to 2 gallons, at least for my solos .
The new Composite canoes are making carbon/innegra gunnels, and they are saving a lot of weight !
Again an excellent build ! Thanks for sharing !!!
Jim
The new Composite canoes are making carbon/innegra gunnels, and they are saving a lot of weight !
Again an excellent build ! Thanks for sharing !!!
Jim
Hi Jim (and Boatstall&Mrindy), TY for the kind words
I ordered 2 gallons for the build .... I have about .5 gallons left after doing the canoe, laminating the gunnels, 2 coats on gunnels,laminating seat, mounting the seat cleats.
Something I find interesting is that once I size the wood gunnels to what I consider appropriate for purpose, the weight saving I can get with composites largely vanishes ... and I have to pay a lot to get those much smaller weight savings.
Brian
I ordered 2 gallons for the build .... I have about .5 gallons left after doing the canoe, laminating the gunnels, 2 coats on gunnels,laminating seat, mounting the seat cleats.
Something I find interesting is that once I size the wood gunnels to what I consider appropriate for purpose, the weight saving I can get with composites largely vanishes ... and I have to pay a lot to get those much smaller weight savings.
Brian
Boatstall took the words right out of my mouth, WOW. Nice canoe!
Jason
Jason
