The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Thanks MT, For the advice and the great picture. George.

Thanks Randy, I probably should have thought more about this before building the strongback but I got on a roll this weekend and was probably more concerned about everything being square. George.

I built my strongback this weekend and it is exactly 16 feet long, top included. I know that I can add a piece in the middle to make the top longer for a 17' 6" Redbird but is this necessary? Thanks, George.

Thanks Paul, You and others here provide a lot of inspiration to get me moving. I'm going to Lowes right now to get my strongback materials. George.

Paul, Thank you for the pictures. I am planning on using edge grain strips for my redbird but the "flat" grain strips on your boat are beautiful! Could you tell us what woods you used on different parts of the project? Thanks, George.

Glen, I forgot that the gunwales will cover these shear strip joints. Thanks!
Bassbug- Thanks for the pictues. Those are redwood strips right? Did the redwood darken naturally or when you fiberglassed it? Thanks, George.

Thanks Greg, Butt joints will work for me but I read that the first sheer strip should use scarf joints so I wanted that joint to look good. George.

Thanks Glen, I think I'm starting to get it. George.

If a butt joint is acceptable on the planking strips, and a 1:7 scarf joint across the "thickness" of the strip is okay, wouldn't any ratio in-between be acceptable as well? The reason I ask is this: If you use the 1:7 scarf joint (the joint that looks like a butt joint from the outside) I...

Matt, No, I believe I have most of the redwood I'll need and right now I have more time than extra cash. The redwood is from an old swing set that I spent a small fortune on years ago. If I can re-use this wood in the form of a beautiful redwood canoe the project will be even more satisfying to me. ...

Matt, Thanks for the pics. I've bookmarked your site because I want to see your progress. I am building a Redbird and have only just started myself. It is interesting that people start in different ways. I'm still ripping strips and I don't even have my strongback built yet. Are you steaming for mor...

Happy New Year everyone!, After months of talking the talk, I started walking the walk yesterday by cutting some wood. The redwood I have is from a decade old swing-set. The outside of the wood is rough, cracked, and dark brown in color but the inside is smooth and has a pinkish hue. I'm just making...

Nice tip Gary. Thank you, George.

Ed, I am ripping many of these strips from 4x4s so I do have a choice about the grain. Thanks for the reminder. I'll do a search on the pros and cons of each before starting. George.

Geordie, Congratulations and thanks for posting the pictures. I'll be referring to them and others during the next several months. George.