The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Thank you Ed and Glen. I'm a lot clearer on mold making than I was. I tend to mull things over and wonder about them (even if they turn out to be non-problems). In this case it paid off in good advice from experienced builders. Thank you for being there.

Lee

Thanks Ed. I hadn't thought about the mold making a dent. Though it'll be awhile until I can make the molds, I'll remember that tip. I do have a router table to use as you explained. I assume little fairing is needed on molds 0 - 2, say, with increasing amounts needed as one progresses toward #7. Do...

That's good looking work in the photos. You keep a neat shop, too. I was pricing 3/4 MDF today and thinking it would be nice to get away with something less expensive. It looks like 1/2" can work. Did you use an edge guide on your router to make the clamping groove or is there a better way? I s...

Good points. The builder I mentioned puts a shim between the clamps and the strips, and the clamps also have vinyl booties on the jaws. But I had forgotten that point until you mentioned it. He and I never talked about which side to route the groove on--makes sense now that you mention it but I'm su...

It certainly does, Glen. You explained what I was wondering about but you did a better job of it than I could have. And now I know what to call the bending point: the reference edge! I was thinking of using 3/4" stock because another local strip builder does, and the extra thickness allows a ro...

You give me hope that even I can make a boat. I hope I'm able to do as well as you. More photos please!

Lee

I'm thinking of using 3/4" MDF for making the mold stations (Prospector 16). CanoeCraft suggests either 3/8 or 1/2 inch stock. Will using 3/4" stock be a problem? Specifically, I'm wondering if the thicker stock will change the shape of the boat, since the strips will be bent over stations...

Thank you all for the encouragement. I was unsure about the decking being useful, but now I'm encouraged to give it a chance. I've not been happy with the quality and cost of the cedar boards I've bought lately--the 3/4 inch stuff--and couldn't imagine it being of much use to mill strips from. We ha...

The local Menard's lumber store has 1-1/4" cedar decking in 6" widths and lengths up to 18 or 20 feet. The price isn't too bad. I'm wondering if that would be something I could rip useful strips from. They describe the wood as having "tight knots," which I assume means the rest o...