The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

While shaping and stripping the stems on my Freedom 17-9, I became frustrated working around the clamps holding the stems to the molds. I came up with this design that allows better access to the stem, and folds out of the way as the strips approach the clamps. Each clamp consists of: 2 - 1/4" ...

Well, I went and had my first oopsie on my Freedom 17-9. I guess that this post is both a question and a warning. When I bought my cedar, about 1/2 was WRC from the local big box stores, and the other 1/2 was EWC that I got from a local lumber yard. I planed the WRC to 0.750", and some of the E...

Thanks for all of the advice. I am going to remove the stems and shave down the mold to the bilge, then tape it. I am probably only shaving 1/16 off of each side. If I don't go far enough up the mold, I will have to wax it. My only other issue right now is that I bought too much wood, and I am havin...

Here goes - this is my first question of many to come. I am building a Freedom 17-9, and I started shaping the stems. My stem molds are made from 3/4" plywood, so I am having to plane off some of the mold material to get the angle right on the stems. I would rather not shape the entire stem unt...

I ordered the plans tonight. The strongback is built, and I am milling the strips on Saturday. The hull will be a mix of WRC and Northern White Cedar with cherry trim. Thanks for all the advice! I am sure that I will have many more questions as the project progresses! :twisted evil

Thanks to all for the advice. I am going to go with the Freedom 17-9 for the first build.

I see quite a few views, and few replies. Does that mean a consensus on the Freedom 17-9 or the Quetico? Honestly, my wife would rather have a kayak than a canoe, so that would probably be the 2010 project and also take care of my solo fishing use. I was at my sister in laws cabin tonight and realiz...

I have actually been considering adding a smaller removable 3rd seat in front of the rear thwart to either kneel at or provide a seat for my 3 year old. As far as use, probably 1/2 of the canoe's use will be on trips. The least important to me is the solo fishing. Would I be better off with a Freedo...

Long time reader, first time poster here. I am getting ready to start my first canoe, and I think I have settled on the Freedom 17. However, I need some opinions from other F17 owners on whether or not it will fit my needs. Here are my most likely uses: 1) Solo paddling and fishing 2) Cruising with ...