The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

I was bonding walnut scupper blocks to a cherry inner gunnel last weekend (thickened West Systems epoxy and 205 hardener). A few days later I picked up the assembly and immediately heard the sound of the epoxy cracking when the piece bent. Sure enough I could remove all blocks with a bit of a pull a...

Glen, I seem to remember plans for the curved seats being posted at one time but I can't find them now. Do you have a copy you could share? Are they steam bent?

What a little beauty!!! I can't wait to do one! Well, maybe after I finish the Redbird..... Please let us know how she handles. I'm very interested to know as the Rice Lake was what I was going to build for fishing. How many horses is the motor?
Really nice job Dave.

I think that I've always paddled stern heavy. :x High winds definitely make it more exciting and more of a workout. I guess that I could also put my wife in the bow, the dog right behind her (he can take the place of a 5gal water jug plus he can carry himself) and the heavier pack behind him and get...

I don't know if I buy into that one either but thanks "J". I don't do enough solo paddling to worry about it. Plus, I'd solo in a smaller canoe than a Redbird.
Thanks guys.

Hey Glen, if you don't get an answer, then I'm not going to bother. I may just put a slider in and see what happens. Hopefully, the canoe cops don't write me up.[/i]

This was the article that I had read earlier by Martin Step. I can understand why they would want sliders in asymmetic canoes. What I don't understand is why he is so adamant that they can't be placed in symmetrical canoes. He states at the end of the article " By the way, just so that we're cl...

Glen, I've read somewhere that you shouldn't put a slider in a symmetrical canoe. Do you know what the reasoning is behind this? I'm building a Redbird. I'm 215lbs. and my wife is 115lbs. The trim of the canoe would likely benefit from an adjustable seat.

Glen, I've read somewhere that you shouldn't put a slider in a symmetrical canoe. Do you know what the reasoning is behind this? I'm building a Redbird. I'm 215lbs. and my wife is 115lbs. The trim of the canoe would likely benefit from an adjustable seat.

Someone else in the forum (I think his name is also Tom) used rope coated in graphite and epoxy on each stem and used that to take the wear. I imagine you could just grind it off when too worn and replace it with fresh rope/epoxy/graphite.

Hi guys. I'm currently building a Redbird but thinking of a small fishing boat next. I'd pretty much decided on a Cosine Wherry until I saw the Rice Lake. Now I'm not sure. Reinbilt, have you tried a small motor on the Wherry yet and if you did, how'd it go? The transom on the Rice lake looks like i...

Try doing a web search for a "Cosine Wherry". It's the subject of the book "Rip, Strip and Row". I forget the author. It may be what you want.

Thanks Glen. No doubt will be talking to you again soon.

Hi Glenn and Tony. I was just reading Canoecraft last night and looking at my Redbird stems. To facilitate bonding and looks Ted tells us to round off the inside portion of the inner stem where it is exposed to the inside of the canoe. I'm just not sure if he means all surfaces, just the end or some...

Impressive work Erik! The inlay looks great. Did you lay it in and strip up to it or trim existing strips to fit and then lay it in. Looks like you got a great fit. Being new to canoe building, I'm looking for the best way to do things. Please excuse if the answer seems obvious.