The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

I am building the 16' Prospector as my first canoe. Using numerous reference materials to guide me. I have bent and glued the stems on the mold while it is clamped to a work surface. What I am confused about is when to cut the stems to length. Seems the best way is when they are still clamped to the...

I am a first time canoe builder. First build will be the 16' Prospector. I have read the the strongback should be at long as the canoe. Also that the strongback can be shorter than the canoe to make the end of the stem mold more accessable. In the case of Bob's Special (at 15' / 180") the stron...