building my canoe

[jojo]

What, no varnish on the frame? the punishment for this heinous crime is that your canoe will go round and round in circles for ever....
Actually there are people who think it a bad idea anyway to put paint and such on wooden boats, because it prevent the wood breathing. Your wood will probably turn a nice silvery grey. And the skin off your knuckles will grow back

 

[jon r]

Good job!

The canvas if fully on now!!! all nails in!

I havnt got any pics yet because i was working until dark! Couldnt stop myself!!

Ive given it a final spray of water and left it in my shed for the night. Cant wait to go get the paint now!!!

 

[jon r]

Ive got the paint and ive put the first undercoat on today!! Now its a propper boat! I cant beleive ive actually made a boat! Really enjoying this project!

 

[chrisanson]

cool
chris

 

[copper_head]

Thats a gorgeous piece of work Jon R, first time i've come across this thread. Congratulations mate, hope she handles well!

 

[Mungo]

Where are you going to take it first? Take photos!

Mungo

 

[torjusg]

Great stuff!

 

[leon-b]

very nice mate well done, cant wait to see it painted
leon

 

[jojo]

Well done Jon, she look real cool! you can be proud of your work Did you get green?

 

[stovie]

It's kinda cool, that feelin' of producing something that "might" float. Good on ya Jon...she looks great...

 

[Minotaur]

Well, i dont want lessons, but i do have a life jacket ready and waiting. Im just going to practice in some shallows first! And not too far from home!

Have you got any do's and dont's for when im padling? any thing i should look oit for which could be a potential danger?

If you live near Birmingham, you used to be able to canoe on Egdbaston Resorvior.

 

[Nikolai]

Congratulations Jon! She's a real beuty!

 

[jon r]

The canoe will be finished soon, only one more coat of paint to go! (will post more pics when i can!

Before i get paddling though i want to build an Outrigger for it (one of those float things on an arm). So ive got a few questions for you:

Got any tips on building an outrigger?
How far should the foat be from the boat?
Should the float be coated in something so it doesnt absorb water?
Is it possible to tip the boat over with an outrigger still?
Should i have an outrigger on both side?
How long should the float be in comparison to the boat?

And i just want to thank everyone for their support, inspiration and advice whilst building my canoe! :You_Rock_ You really do ROCK!

Many thanks

Jon

 

[woodwalker]

I am seriously impressed mate - fantastic effort
woodwalker

 

[jojo]

I haven't much experience of "stabilizers", but have a look there to get some ideas. They don't need to be very big it seems. Perhaps something like the size of a 2 litre bottle of fizzy stuff should be enough for a practice paddle and take it from there. http://www.castlecraft.com/stabilizers.htm

 

[silvergirl]

I can't believe its taken me so long to get around to reading this thread. I'm looking at trying to build a small canoe with my son and would rather go for traditional building methods than stich and glue.

jon r you've built a brilliant looking canoe. I think I may borrow your idea :You_Rock_ .

I would't worry to much about falling in, it happens to everyone some times . When you first get in to it, I'd wade into shallow water put a hand on each gunnel and carefully put one foot right in the middle. Then with your hands pushing down equally on ech gunnel lift the other foot into the middle and kneel in the bottom. A bi blade (kayak paddle) may be easier for directional stability, but it will drip water all over you and the inside of the canoe. A single (canoe paddle) takes a little more practice but can move the canoe in any direction once you're used to it.

For a small canoe like this until you are used to manovering it it will be more stable kneeling than sitting on the seat. I'd be tempted to try it without an outrigger first just so you get to know how it handles, wear a bouancy aid and remember a change of cothes (these sould be standard for taking out any water craft)

Where did you get the canvas from?

 

[jon r]

Thanks Silvergirl!

Ive just come for a cup of tea from the middle of putting the last coat of paint on my canoe!

I got my canvas from here:

http://www.whaleys-bradford.ltd.uk/products.cfm?catID=3#446

I used the 9.5oz. Worked a treat!

There is an area of water near my house which as quite shallow so i think im going to test it out there first and stay near the edge.

Jon

 

[silvergirl]

As your earlier question said, it is a bit like learning to ride a bike. Falling off (over) is part of the learning process. Once you've got your balance you'll be fine .

Can't wait to see the finished pictures .

 

[jon r]

Im going to test it out on the lake without an outrigger but i think i will fit one later because the water is freezing at the moment. Ive actually got to wait for the ice to melt before i can go out in it!

I think having an outrigger will be like having stabelisers on your bike before you can learn to ride, just in the same way that i dont know how to paddle propperly yet.

Having an outrigger will give me more confidence too! I dont like the thought of falling out at this time of year even if it is shallow! Maybe then when it gets warmer i can learn to paddle fully and without any outrigger aid.

 

[leon-b]

any pics of it painted yet ?
leon