The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Does anyone know of the differences between the Pal compared to either the Ranger or Prospector? Alternatively are there strip plans for the Pal available anywhere. I've only begun my search, but can only find Pal in wood/canvas layup. In my search, I've found the Bill Mason used both teh Prospector...

This is somewhat of a late reply concerning station mold 8. If I were to build another Redbird, I would not use station mold 8. I think the strips would fair well enough without that one. I believe that other Redbird builders have done the same.

I precoat before I epoxy, with one coat of epoxy. I find that I can do a better job of glassing that way. Undulations should not create a negative structural concern. The fiberglass will go with the waves nicely. It is up to you how even you want the surface. Likely, you will be the only one that wi...

On the kayak I'm building I used 1:8 scarf, and glued them before cutting coves or striping. The large 2" binder clips worked wonderful as clamps. I can't remember who to credit for that trick - somewhere on a building forum. I think the scarf does a great job of concealing the joint. Many join...

I have now trimmed my centre line and am going to fill in the bottom of the boat. Is it feasible to measure the angle of the cut to be made on the mating plank and make the cut on the table saw using a mitre? Then fine tune everything with a block plane? You could, but it would be lots of extra wor...

I agree with everything PD has to say - good advice. However, if you take just a few seconds to wipe the epoxy off of the squeegee with a rag damped in lacquer thinner when you are done, the squeegee will retain the nice edge for much longer and won't have any dried epoxy on the surface. Until I dis...

hoz,

I'd be interested in seeing how you made your seat. I'm wanting to build an Osprey in the near future.

Dale
dbenham@bluestempaddler.com

Bryan,

Thanks for you answer. That's just what I needed!

Dale

Randy and Patrick,

What a great looking bird! It looks good with one, two, or three aboard. You've done a great job on the boat and spending lots of meaningful time together. Congratulations.

Dale

I've read that a figure 8 knot on a blight is a good knot for the painter. I have found images of the knot, but I can't see how it would be tied to a painter hole or a loop through the painter hole. It must be a "special" version of the knot. Can anyone help?

Cliff Jacobson devotes a few pages to canoe trailers in his book "Expedition Canoeing, 3rd : A Guide to Canoeing Wild Rivers in North America". He doesn't give the measurements for the trailer, but has some good information on construction. It is worth reading as you ponder a trailer.

I found it much easier to use Gorilla glue rather than epoxy for the stem laminations. It cleans up much easier than epoxy and from my experience with the stem (and also the gunwales - you can glue with Gorilla, then steam and bend without separation - I tried this and it worked well) and the number...

I agree with hoz that screwing your seats in place through the hull is a bad idea. I hung my seats from the inwales, leaving about 1/4" between the seat edge and the hull.

I would want the outwales thicker than 3/8"...twice that thick is the way I would go.

Nice looking canoe! I really like the seats. Is the pattern from Green Valley? Seat height is a personal matter, as you can tell by the responses. The seats on my Redbird are close to yours - I had about 10" below the seat - my big feet prevented the seats being any lower. How much does your cy...

I use 1 quart plastic paint containers (Walmart was the cheapest price at $.57 ea) when mixing larger quantities (4 squirts of West System) It is difficult to remove ALL of the hardened epoxy, but it can be done and thus the container reused. I use 8oz plastic cups for mixing small amounts (1 squirt...