NWC Cruiser build

[Sven]

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Sorry for the lack of updates...progress has been slow since the ground thawed, and I have many outdoor projects to complete.

I decided to make the outwales from some leftover hickory flooring I had on hand. Inwales will be cedar. I got the floatations chambers installed today. Seats are made from a laminate of cedar and hickory, webbing should be here this week.

It's really starting to look like a canoe at this point!

 

[sailsman63]

Looking nice. Sorry the composite build didn't work out. Hope that you get another chance at it.

 

[Sven]

Thanks sailsman,
That was certainly a live and learn experience. I think I'm really going to like the look of the wood versus the composite. I already have plans to build a solo next winter, haven't settled on a design yet. I will use the solo as a mold and make another go of the composite build at that point.

 

[Sven]

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More progress, more pictures!

 

[Jim Dodd]

Lookin good !
Did you order the thwarts, or make them yourself ?

Jim

 

[Sven]

ThAnks, I made them by using the ones from my old town plastic beast as a template. I used a leftover cedar deck board and I plan on glassing the top sides of them before varnish. I plan on putting a strip of glass along the top of the gunwales as well once I get them sanded.

 

[deerfly]

Excellent build thread Sven, a must read for first timers and experienced builders alike. Whether we like to admit it or not the school of hard knocks is the best way to learn. Even the most rigorously engineered projects will reveal unforeseen issues from design through application and implementation. You could build this canoe 3 times on the same forms and run into different challenges each time.

Again thanks for taking the time to share, can't wait to see the first trip report.

 

[Sven]

Thanks deerfly, I could not agree more with the hard knocks statement! My failures seem to be more memorable than my success stories. In the end persistence pays off.

 

[Sven]

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Finally got around to rolling it outside and taking some pictures, even one from the roof of the garage! Gunwales are sanded and almost ready for a sacrificial layer of glass on the top side seeing that the inwales are cedar. I can see the finish line!

 

[Sven]

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I know this is the important part...more pictures!

 

[Sven]

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It's done! I'm now working on a couple paddles.

And now for the pictures!

 

[Sven]

Done in time for my Labor Day bwca trip to iron lake!

 

[Sven]

Wishing I could have kept the weight under 60#.
Weighed in at 70#
Good thing I have a strong back and a weak mind....either way it is lighter than my old town plastic beast!

 

[wingnut]

You've got a good looking boat there. I'm sure you'll get a lot of compliments when your on the water.

 

[Jim Dodd]

Looks SUPER ! I Love it !

Make comfy portage pads, and try them out before the trip ! You won't even notice the weight !

Congrats ! A dead line always motivated me to get a canoe done ! You are way ahead of schedule !

Jim

 

[Jim Dodd]

Oh ! And we want to know how you like the design !!!!

Jim

 

[latremorej]

Sweet canoe!

70# is a little heavy though! Jim has the right idea, pads. My bell north wind (royalex) is 68lbs from the factory, add in a couple lbs of spray cover mounting hardware and I'm at 71lbs according to my bathroom scale. I made and used pads but after a couple trips I found that wearing a backpack (loaded lightly) helps me more. The yoke sits on the padded shoulder straps and really spreads out the weight. It's also easier to get the canoe in position as you don't have to maneuver your head around the bolted on yoke pads. Another padding option would be the flat, yoke shaped pad that covers the whole center portion of the yoke. I haven't tried one yet.

Jason

 

[stripperguy]

Sven,
Congrats on finishing your build, you'll be happy with it on the water...
Now, get ready for "the questions",
What kind of boat is that?
Was that a kit?
Did you build that?
What kind of wood is it?

These questions will swell your head (at least the first 1,000 times) and slow your travels.

 

[Sven]

Wingnut,
Thanks for the kind words!

Jim,
Thanks for the compliments, encouragement, and guidance throughout the build!
I do have portage pads for it, they are not on yet.
On another note I purchased one of those shinto rasps you rave about, and I love it!
A question for you, how do you like that glue bot?

Jason,
Thanks for the compliment! I equate the excessive weight to my inexperience with fiberglass. I probably have way more resin on it than I should....

SG,
Thank you as well for your encouragement and guidance along the way. I am already experiencing some of "the questions" you speak of. I assume that has a lot to do with the fact that 99% of people wouldn't have the gumption to do what so many of the people on this forum have done. Build a boat!

I'm very excited to get her wet for the first time...

Thanks to everyone else out there who followed along/participated in my build! It has been a very rewarding process!

 

[Jim Dodd]

On another note I purchased one of those shinto rasps you rave about, and I love it!
A question for you, how do you like that glue bot?

I truly love those rasps ! I mostly use them without the handle, so if anyone wants one, just purchase the replacement blade, instead of the complete rasp.

I do have two of those glue bots, and I think I will like them, once I start my next build.

Bought planks last week, and they look at me every time I walk into the shop ! Like they are saying, "Well are you ready ?"

Jim