wooden canoe/kayak

[gjgm]

Is this the right place to ask?
I was thinking about building one , big enough for two people...do I need a kit or is it easy enough from plans? Is it cheaper with a kit anyway, as maybe they get the wood in bulk...
Any suggestions..I was thinking of something like this
http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/canoes/sassafras/

How do I build it in the lounge without SWMBO noticing?

 

[Poignard]

Plans available here also:

http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-local...0005&cart_id=ceaab23886c1ec36051b6970e5f1923c

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Kayak.htm

The now defunct (I think) Hobbies magazine used to offer plans for canoes designed by Percy Blandford (the PBK range). One of them was an all-wooden canoe. You might be able to track the plans down.

One of my pleasantest childhood memories is of helping my Dad build a PBK18 kayak.

 

[dylanwinter]

Build a duck punt

looks like a canoe

paddles like a canoe

sails like a goodun

first cut to first sail in seven days

send swmbo away for a week

build it

tidy up the lounge

job done

every conceivable aspect is here
including the free plans

serioulsy.... look no further

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/category/duck-punt-films/

 

[gjgm]

thanks both;I ll have a look

 

[BarryH]

I built a Selway Esk 14. Didn't need it, just fancied having a go. The Selway plans are excellent. Along with the plans you get a manual, well a few sheets of A4 instructions, and a DVD explaining building technique, stitch and glue etc.

Cheapest way to get afloat in a new craft IMHO. Ive used mine a fair bit now, especially in the winter. A wooden kayak is warmer than my rotomoulded Necky sea Kayak.
You don't have to stick rigidly to the plans. I scaled mine up to give a bit more knee room and a touch more length.

I did a 4 day tour on the Thames with it. Big enough to take all the camping gear and comfortable enough to paddle for 8 hours or so.
The Esk too four sheets of 6mm ply, I used exterior grade, and a 50m roll of tape with 2kg of resin. Still got some resin and tape left over.
All in all it came to less than 100 quid.

Currently looking over the plans for a Christine open canoe. Have a go, what have you got to loose.......

 

[Tranona]

Have a look at Watercraft magazine www.watercraft-magazine.com . This is where all the small boat builders and kit/plan providers hang out. several articles on building canoes in the past.

 

[gjgm]

I built a Selway Esk 14. Didn't need it, just fancied having a go. Currently looking over the plans for a Christine open canoe. Have a go, what have you got to loose.......

Ah.. sounds familiar !

 

[uxb]

If you do - then please go and get lessons.

They are fun but are leathal if you get it wrong - even on a nice day.

 

[dylanwinter]

canoeing lessons!

If you do - then please go and get lessons.

They are fun but are leathal if you get it wrong - even on a nice day.

really

Lessons in using a canoe

surely some mistake

yours

dangerous Dyl

 

[LittleSister]

I have to admit I've never actually built a canoe/kayak, but I've spent many a happy hour contemplating the prospect (and paddled plastic boats in the meantime).

I've read of several people who have been happy with their Selway-Fisher canoe or other boat, but to me they always lack a certain je ne sais quoi visually, whereas Iain Oughtred designs (including canoes) have je ne sais quoi in abundance. You can get plans direct from him, and kits for some of his boats from http://jordanboats.co.uk/JB/iain_oughtred.htm

There's also an American publication 'Canoes for the Backyard Builder' (available from Seachest Nautical Bookshop online, amongst others) which includes plans for simple to build canoes. You can probably find Percy Blandford books in second hand bookshops (incl. online) with plans in.

Good luck with your project.

 

[LittleSister]

Lessons in using a canoe

surely some mistake

Not if you're planning to canoe or kayak in fast moving inland water, or out to sea. Better to find out what you don't know before you go!

Happy paddling.

 

[VicS]

I built a plywood kayak from a kit many years ago.

A Ken Littledyke / Granta Boats design

Easy enough to do using the stitch and glue method.

The panels for mine were cut to size and shape but I see no problems in making one from plans.

 

[uxb]

really

Lessons in using a canoe

surely some mistake

yours

dangerous Dyl

No mistake- if your farting about in inches of water then you should be OK but once in deeper water you might well die if it all goes wrong- do you know how to get back into your boat if it tips over?

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Is this the right place to ask?
I was thinking about building one , big enough for two people...do I need a kit or is it easy enough from plans? Is it cheaper with a kit anyway, as maybe they get the wood in bulk...
Any suggestions..I was thinking of something like this
http://www.fyneboatkits.co.uk/kits/canoes/sassafras/

How do I build it in the lounge without SWMBO noticing?

I built a Mill Creek from that company.
With a kit you get the plans, but the advantage is that you do not have to buy big bits of wood and cut out the bit you want, therefore no wastage.

I did mine with no power tools at all.

Don't be fooled into thinking that kit parts are just screwed together. Ever part needs finishing to size and fit. That's the fun in it for me as you can make it as beautifully accurate and varnished as you like, or you can just slap it together in a week and paint it with domestic paint.

Thoroughly recommend the company.

 

[gjgm]

Thanks again all;

 

[dylanwinter]

you are dead right and I am utterly wrongheaded

No mistake- if your farting about in inches of water then you should be OK but once in deeper water you might well die if it all goes wrong- do you know how to get back into your boat if it tips over?

No mistake- if your farting about in inches of water then you should be OK but once in deeper water you might well die if it all goes wrong- do you know how to get back into your boat if it tips over?

what a silly man I am

I was only joshing

obviously before building my seven day wonder duckpunt canoe thingy I went on several courses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXvN5C_DsrQ

Lofting plans - three day course

measuring wood - two days

handling power tools safely - eight day course

Hazmat courses on - cutting fibreglass - one day course

handling epoxy - three days

sanding epoxy - one day

painting courses - lid prizing - one morning

- stirring paint

cleaning brushes including Hazmat on white spirit storage

watching paint dry - two day course

then I had to do the heavy weight handling course so that I could put the boat ontop of the car

Car driving....... no lessons in my day apart from my dad.... but I did have to pass a test

unloading safely - that was a two day course involving cordoning off a safety area with tapes and plastic cones


I am a member of the BCU and that cost me £40 to join so although untrained I feel that I will be okay now that I have an oraneg card

Sailing - obviously I have 37 RYA courses under my belt


So my advice to anyone considering building a canoe is that you should make sure that you get properly trained first - by the time you are my age you will have enough qualification to do it

just a bit of fun chaps - don't take it seriously



Dylan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3t9So-yJYw

 

[LittleSister]

just a bit of fun chaps - don't take it seriously

We're all in it for the fun, Dylan, but just be aware there will quite possibly be people reading the thread who will not be aware of the dangers of canoeing. In the Slug, or any keelboat, if it it all goes pear-shaped or you hurt yourself, you can just lie in the bottom of the boat and you and the boat will almost certainly be fine. Capsize your canoe or kayak at sea (easily done) even inshore or on an estuary, loose your paddle, or sprain your wrist, and you could easily suddenly have a life threatening situation on your hands if you're not prepared. Don't want to put anyone off - I love sea-kayaking, but don't want anyone to be seduced by the simplicty of a small, simple craft into overlooking the vulnerability involved and the ways to manage the risks. You can take it seriously and still have all the fun.

Happy paddling!

 

[scorpion395]

Hi,
come and join us in the UKHBBR at http://ukhbbr.wordpress.com/ plenty of boat and canoe building addicts plus we are doing a Thames trip in June!
Steve

 

[gjgm]

oohh not sure I ll have got far by then !

 

[dylanwinter]

you could be

oohh not sure I ll have got far by then !

you could be if you built a duck punt

one week from first cut to first sail

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/ubuilding-a-duck-punt-dylan-winter-blog-jan-17-2012/

dylan