Search found 33 matches

by Bill Robb
Sun Jul 08, 2012 7:29 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
Replies: 4
Views: 2756

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...
by Bill Robb
Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:43 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Cracked Hull on a Freedom 17
Replies: 4
Views: 2756

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...
by Bill Robb
Wed May 05, 2010 8:27 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Patina?
Replies: 7
Views: 2618

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 ...
by Bill Robb
Tue May 04, 2010 10:11 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Patina?
Replies: 7
Views: 2618

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...
by Bill Robb
Mon Nov 09, 2009 10:28 pm
Forum: Choosing a Design
Topic: Narrowing down design options
Replies: 4
Views: 6063

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...
by Bill Robb
Wed Jul 08, 2009 10:31 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Time for Touch-Ups and a Minor Repair
Replies: 0
Views: 11982

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...
by Bill Robb
Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:26 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: canoe shop
Replies: 8
Views: 3428

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...
by Bill Robb
Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:56 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
Replies: 13
Views: 4712

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...
by Bill Robb
Wed Sep 24, 2008 11:20 am
Forum: Paddles, Techniques, Boat Transportation, Storage & Maintenance
Topic: Storage
Replies: 10
Views: 24905

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 ...
by Bill Robb
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 ...
by Bill Robb
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 -...
by Bill Robb
Wed May 28, 2008 10:35 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
Replies: 13
Views: 4712

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...
by Bill Robb
Wed May 28, 2008 5:33 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
Replies: 13
Views: 4712

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...
by Bill Robb
Mon May 26, 2008 7:41 pm
Forum: Builders' Forum
Topic: Freedom 17 - Unveiled Yesterday
Replies: 13
Views: 4712

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...
by Bill Robb
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"...