The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Hi all, good to be back after two years. I need some honest criticism here, and then some suggestions. Problem- My first canoe a Redbird, was chosen from the heart (what a pretty lady) and because I’m a boy (I wanted a big one). I now need a canoe that I can handle by my self in moving and flat wate...

Very nicely done. I notice that us Southern hemisphere types have similar opinions on the Redbird stability and a similar approach to building i.e. "Make it up as you go". I launched about two months back (See: Redbird launch in South Africa) and am also very happy. My seats are about an i...

And a few more

Sorry about that: http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/GChristian/Redbird/Redbird/Canoe1.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/GChristian/Redbird/Redbird/Image063.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/GChristian/Redbird/Redbird/Image064.jpg http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/GChristian/R...

The Redbird was launched last weekend and they are still trying to get the grin off my face. She is everything I thought she would be and then some. Handling comments from someone who has no paddling experience at all. Stability???? I’m really not sure why this is ever an issue on this particular cr...

As a matter of interest Glen, Does this customer have a rudder fitted to the kayak???? A yak will be my next project and I am going through the rudder rudderless mental turmoil at the moment. The Cape Ann Storm is winking at me, but I am open to influence. The redbird is sooooooo close to getting we...

A Redbird is a matter of the heart. On paper and in theory there are " better" boats, but read through similar topics and you will see that the Bird men swear by their crafts. Hell about a year back we were going to rename this the Redbird forum. If this will be used by you and your old ma...

Dag Eric Lovely looking kayak. Please tell us what that oblong patch is, just aft and starboard of the cockpit. It looks like a cut-out, but I can't think of what for, so I presume that it's a nameplate. Also, what type of wood is the deck and hull made of?? Does this wood yellow over time?? Veels g...

Uitsteekend Erik.
Veels geluk by die skow.

van die beste
Geordie
Zuid Africa

I'm doing "That" job now on my Redbird. I have glued a piece of 80 grit paper on to a section of "pool noodle" it works just fine along with the crescent bladed pro prep. What did you guys use before pro prep???? Don’t glue the paper all the way around the noodle, otherwise your ...

I have basically smoothed the canoe down after the last filler coat of epoxy and there are a few patches where I have gone through the glass. I dread the idea of yet another epoxy coat. Is it possible to apply fresh epoxy to these areas with a sponge roller so as not to cause too many runs, or too t...

Congratulations from as far away as South Africa. I’ve been at my Bird since January and hoping for a mid October launch, just in time for our summer. Watch this space.
Mine will be christened Umoyo Omneni, the Zulu for gentle wind.

Many happy paddles
Geordie

I'm not too sure about the relationship between bending ( bend ability) and scarf joints. I would think that the last place you want any joint is where the wood bends severely. The Origin Pine should have no trouble taking the bend anyway, it’s the suitability that I am more worried about. What I ma...

Being my first project, I don't want to mess around with scarf joints, so I have searched for full-length stock. I have located some Balau decking for the outer (www.balauwood.com) and, with such a strong (heavy) outer, I considering using Origin Pine for the inners. I can get the correct dimensions...

Well done from another Birdman still busy building.
Flotation tanks??? I would rather go the pro-prep,
sand paper, epoxy and varnish route on a classic like the Redbird.
Look out for mine in a month or two and many happy paddles to you
G