Search found 33 matches
- Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:29 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2758
Re: Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
Hi Glen... Thank you for the advice... One question comes to mind - if I put a couple of new layers of cloth over the crack (larger oval piece first, then a second smaller oval over it), can I do both layers at the same time? Or, should I let the first oval harden, sand it smooth, then apply the sec...
- Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:43 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
- Replies: 4
- Views: 2758
Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
Hi there... My nephew and I were heading home from a week in Algonquin Park today, and right after the last portage of the adventure, we managed to run over a deadhead (submerged true stump). We were in a Freedom 17, fully loaded with approx 550lbs of people and gear (well, maybe a bit more weight t...
- Wed May 05, 2010 8:27 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Patina?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2624
Thanks for your replies. I actually don't want to 'lighten' the appearance. On the contrary, I was hoping that over time, my canoe would take on that 'weathered veteran' type of look. Maybe I'm just rushing it and my canoe will look older when it's, well, older. By the way, I accidentally varnished ...
- Tue May 04, 2010 10:11 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Patina?
- Replies: 7
- Views: 2624
Patina?
Hello... I just got my Freedom 17 of winter storage in preparation my my first trip of the season this weekend. My canoe is now two years old, with lots of mileage on it. The hull (inside and out) was done with West System 207, then several coats of Epifanes High Gloss varnish. I oiled the trim - gu...
- Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:28 pm
- Forum: Choosing a Design
- Topic: Narrowing down design options
- Replies: 4
- Views: 6065
I built a Freedom 17 primarily as tandem, and have not had any capacity problem with with big guys on a weeklong trip (including too much beverage). But - I've also soloed it a few trips, and as easy as it was, it's making me plan a build of a second smaller canoe. I haven't yet decided whether to b...
- Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:31 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Time for Touch-Ups and a Minor Repair
- Replies: 0
- Views: 12097
Time for Touch-Ups and a Minor Repair
Hello again... I launched my Freedom 17 last season and enjoyed a summer of tripping (and as careful as I was, I 'found' a few rocks. Nothing serious, except for some scratches). I've been out on several trips this season - when I returned from my last trip, I discovered that my stern brass stem rai...
- Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:26 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: canoe shop
- Replies: 8
- Views: 3433
I built in my garage over the winter. My working space was about 8X22. The only real problem I experienced was that all my progress pictures were from one end or the other. Never could take a picture from the side. On the plus side, the smaller size allowed a kerosene heater to keep me at a comforta...
- Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:56 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4722
Hello again... Thanks again for everyone's kind words about my canoe. I had it out this summer on a total of six trips (of two to three nights). Despite being careful, I managed to meet up with more than one rock - so she ain't looking quite so pristime anymore. Fortunately, I never managed to get t...
- Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:20 am
- Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
- Topic: Storage
- Replies: 10
- Views: 24940
Folks... Here's a question related to storage... I get to store my canoe inside an unheated shed over the winter, but I have to attach two horizontal 2X4's to the studs, with a diagonal brace to support them. I plan to carpet the horizontal pieces. Is there any rule of thumb as to how far apart the ...
- Wed Sep 10, 2008 10:18 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Next Boat - Freedom 15'3" Solo perhaps...
- Replies: 8
- Views: 2937
Next Boat - Freedom 15'3" Solo perhaps...
Hello... I built my first canoe last winter - a Freedom 17. I enjoyed several trips in it this season, including a couple of solo adventures. However, I found that the Freedom 17 is just a little too much boat for me to solo in - (but then again, maybe I'm just trying to convince myself that I need ...
- Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:12 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Varnish
- Replies: 5
- Views: 2100
Hi Danny... I'm just finishing off my varnishing stage. I used Epifanes High Gloss, and followed the manafacturer's instructions - first coat was thinned 50% with Epifanes Brush Thinner. Second coat was thinned 25%. Third and fourth coats were thinned 15%. I put a final coat on the hull last night -...
- Wed May 28, 2008 10:35 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4722
Hi Brian... What timing! I was curious myself so I borrowed a bathroom scale tonight (before I saw your question) just to check. Not that the scale was professonal quality or anything, but my canoe appears to be coming in at 50 pounds sharp. I had a couple of buddies try it as well, and the weight w...
- Wed May 28, 2008 5:33 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4722
Thanks everyone for looking, and for your kind words... To answer Glenn's question, I think I will take the summer to enjoy some tripping in my new canoe, then in the fall, I'd like to build the Enterprise plywood kayak. Never really done any extensive kayaking before, so I am looking forward to thi...
- Mon May 26, 2008 7:41 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
- Replies: 13
- Views: 4722
Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
Folks... I unveiled my completed Freedom 17 yesterday. I was joined by family and friends, and I was quite proud to show off my handiwork. Here's a link to pictures of the finished craft: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bill_canoe/sets/72157605269388528/ I would like to thank everyone on this forum who...
- Fri Mar 28, 2008 6:43 pm
- Forum: Builders' Forum
- Topic: Gunwales - Preparation Order
- Replies: 2
- Views: 1422
Gunwales - Preparation Order
Hi There... I'm a couple of days away from starting my gunwales, so I've been mulling over the order of the steps. I want to have them tapered (30" long & on the hull side), scuppered (between the tapers) , bevelled on the bottom, and rounded over (exposed face). I'm starting with 3/4"...