Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: John K on June 28, 2010, 01:19:37 pm

Title: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 28, 2010, 01:19:37 pm
Anybody out there ever built a strip canoe  ???

I'm going to give it a try  ;D
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: Josh on June 28, 2010, 02:02:57 pm
 I am refinishing an old canoe right now, it's FG though... not as cool a project as yours... I would really like to see pics of your progress Good luck!   :)
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 28, 2010, 02:26:55 pm
Josh, I'm going to document the process, first i need to get all my supplies and a strongback and Moulds made, i'm going to go with a 16' Chestnut Prospecter as the design. I was warned by a friend of my Dads that you just can't build one, where have i heard this before  ::)  :D   Wish me luck !
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 28, 2010, 02:44:12 pm
Never built a canoe.
However, I am reading a book on the subject.  Canoecraft.
If I had a place to build one...  I suspect that I would have to give it a try.
Please take lots of photos.

David
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: aaron on June 28, 2010, 10:51:17 pm
have ya got the wood yet? if not, i have some rough sawn sitka......
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: JW_Halverson on June 28, 2010, 10:54:27 pm
There are a number of good books on the subject of cedar strip canoes.  I have read several of them and know two guys that made several of them.  It can be done. 

In fact the two books I had read were fairly easy to understand and rather in depth to the subject.  From what I can tell the fiberglass shell to seal the wood is the hard part. 

Post pics as you go!
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 29, 2010, 11:16:19 am
aaron, Washington is a little far for me, i'm in Wiscosin, but thanks for the offer !

JW i'm lucky enough to have a friend of my Dads thats built about 6 of them , so he set me up with some books and i can always pick his brain when i have questions  :)

I'm going to try and post pics as i go along, it's going to be a long process thou .
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 30, 2010, 01:27:07 pm
First thing i need to do is  get my plans from the book to full size on graph paper. You only make half the pattern and flip the pattern over for the other half.

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Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 30, 2010, 01:28:17 pm
The graph paper

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Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 30, 2010, 01:29:12 pm
Getting there. More to come  :)

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Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 30, 2010, 01:53:09 pm
That is the exact same book I am reading.
Just got to the part where the strongback is built.

Keep the photos comming.  This is going to be fun to watch.

David
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 30, 2010, 02:07:10 pm
Very informative book isn't  it David ?  i heard to stay away from the Hiawatha design.
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 30, 2010, 05:03:54 pm
Yes, that book is infomative.

Use dry lumber in that strongback.  Dont want it warping into an "S" curve. :D

What kind of tools are you going to be using?

David
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: John K on June 30, 2010, 05:56:57 pm



What kind of tools are you going to be using?

David
[/quote]

To many to list  :D
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: RidgeRunner on June 30, 2010, 06:34:05 pm
10-4. 
I have read the book.
Should of known the answere to that. ;D

David
Title: Re: Sitka Spruce strip canoe
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 01, 2010, 11:00:37 pm
I have long wondered about using the engineered timbers for making the strongback.  Engineered lumber is that stuff that looks like plywood 2x6's or 2x8's.   They should not warp, twist, go snakey on you.