The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Thanks guys. Valuable advice for sure. Great job on the scarf John.

Thanks Karkauai...I may try to go that route, but the 16 foot ones are close and I wouldn't have to pay anything for them.

I'm having a problem getting full length pieces of hardwood for outwales and inwales. I understand that they are an integral part of the strength of the canoe. Which way would be best to join them? The canoe will be 17 feet. I can get 16 foot pieces of ash. So, would it be better to add one foot to ...

I don't know if it's the same design you are looking for, but in Gil Gilpatrick's book, Building a Strip Canoe" he has included plans for what he calls "The Grand Laker". It's a 19.5 foot square stern.

The router I'm using uses 1/2" shanked bits. I'm not sure there is an advantage. As Dean says, there are some bits that only come in 1/2" shanks. Maybe it is the tool time thing...who knows. I just had to get the one that would fit my router.l

Thanks guys. I ordered the one form MlC...should be here in a week or so. Yep, 1/2 shaft is the way to go.

A bit confused...if you use 3/16th strips, whick B&C bit do you need to use. Whch do you use for 1/4" strips? I've seen single bits in sizes 3/16th, 1/8th and 1/4. I've also seen a bit with both the bead and cove bit on the same shank. I'm about ready to start cutting strips and need advice...

Thanks to everyone who chimed in. Everyone made some great points to consider. Reading your thoughts and comments is the difference in making a decision and an informed decision. I'm getting closer to choosing a design than ever. There is something that I don't grasp though. Perhaps someone could ex...

Dean, I've looked at the Redbird. I've looked at the Redbird many, many times. Beautiful lines! I've also looked at the Nomad. These are the two designs Bear Mtn offers that I like the best. I think I may be trying to make function follow form. Can anyone compare the handling characteristics of the ...

Jim...no problem. I appreciate your input. It does provide some food for thought. It's kinda fun thinking thru all these variables and learning how one tweak here may affect an area over there. Thanks to all for your input. I'll just keep looking at designs.

Excellent points Todd. Perhaps I should rethink this a bit and do a bit more research. Sure don't want to end up with a canoe that won't fit my needs. It's hard finding the right one though.

Great idea Jim. Let me make sure I have this straight...I can go ahead and loft the plans to full size. Then, take them to a print shop and have them reduced by 5.5% ( roughly). Then, do I still reduce the spacing of the stations by 1"? 17 inches apart instead of 18? I've never attempted anythi...

Thanks for the advice guys. Moving each station in equally to achieve a 12 reduction in length is probably best for this mathmatically challenged dude. Rick..haven't cut out the plans yet. I am lofting them from a 2:1 scale plan in Gilpatrick's book. The plans are drawn on 1 inch graph paper that si...

Oh yeah, I'm referring to the 18.5 footer in the book.

After tons of research, I've decided that the White Guide design canoe in Gilpatrick's book is best suited for my needs, however, due to available building/storage space, I need to shorten it by a foot. Can anyone advise me on the best route to take in doing this? Move the stems in 6 inches each? Mo...