The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Hi Joseph, I like it! A great idea for those with backs that need some more support. When you install it in your canoe, how will you do it? Are you going to raise it up 9 to 10"? How will you make it quick and easy to take out? Cross-pieces running the same direction as the ribs? So many questi...

Morning Rob. Just got back from Calgary, hence the late reply. I'd like to see your canoe sometime. I'll contact you shortly to set up a time. Thanks.

Thanks for your replies guys. Rob, are you in Hamilton ON? I'd love to take a look at your Redbird if you are. What kind of wood did you use for your 1 piece spacers? Dimensions? Thanks Glen, now I know. I'll keep that in mind for the next one and I can still leave space between hull and seats on th...

I'm hanging my seats from the gunwales with ~2" spacers. I've pretty much cut my seats to fit tight to the hull. Do most people do this or leave space between seat and hull? Good idea WRT the scabs, I think that I may do that. Thanks.

Thanks Greg. I may try that. I was even considering putting a slight bend in the bolt just where it exits the bottom of the inwale. I don't want to compromise the strength of the bolt though. The thing that bothers me, is that I want to drill through the inwale in such a way as to maximize the stren...

Hi everyone, I'm at the stage of bolting the seats to the gunnels and have come across a bit of a problem. I'm making a Redbird which has a fair amount of tumblehome. (I also added one strip to the shearline to make things worse). This results in some degree of bevel in the gunnels, especially at th...

I thought it looked a little small but wanted to make sure. Thanks

Hi Steve, Nice canoe!
How do you think the 16'2" would perform as a tandem? I'm just completing my Redbird and I'm looking for something slightly smaller but will still need two seats. I was considering a Bob's or Prospector but these plans look really nice.
Thanks in advance.
Tom

I just looked at your photos Dave. Wow, nice seats. Martin Step strikes again. One of these days perhaps...

I've heard that book mentioned many times over the last 2 years. I'm convinced now that it's one that I'll have to get. Thanks guys.

Thanks for your quick reply Scot T. What you say makes sense. I'll try your suggestion and perhaps even the Mozart but I may have to change to Pink Floyd later.
Cheers.
Tom

Hi all. I'm just about ready to try my hand at caning. I've made traditional 10" x 15" seats and was wondering about hole size and spacing. Does anyone have a favourite spacing or one that works and looks better? Also, what size cane is best? I'm likely going to do the 7 step weave. Thanks...

Oy! More development in one of the most beautiful wilderness parks around. Kind of depressing. I did the Silhouette trail in Killarney in September and camped on David Lake. It was really nice although several cottages and powerboats could be seen in the near vicinity. Unfortunately, they have been ...

I left my fully stripped Redbird on the forms in an unheated garage this past winter and had no problems. It was not glassed. I covered it with an old sheet but otherwise it was exposed to the ambient conditions inside the garage. These conditions ranged from extreme cold (-20F) to mild (30+ F) and ...

Thanks Glen. I did the unthickened epoxy on both walnut and cherry until saturated but the walnut obviously was not interested. I'll try the solvent and sanding next time. Right now, I'm off for a 7 day backpacking trip in Killarney. The canoe will have to wait a week. Yeeha!