The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

I also worried about boring holes in the hull. However, my solution worked out very well and requires no dowels, tubes, or pipes to keep the hull watertight. I simply bored a hole through both sides of the inner stem, sealed it with epoxy, and trimmed it on each side with the larger half of an unass...

Robbie, I also wanted some additional abrasion resistance on the bottom of my canoe, so I decided to add a football shaped glass layer on the bottom. Being mindful of excess weight, I made the extra layer only 4oz cloth, and put it under the 6oz cloth to avoid problems with the cut edges. I wet-out ...

Hello Tim, Every person probably has their own solution. As a beginner, I varnished the outer hull surface first, because I thought it would be easier (I still do). I did not mask off the gunwales, but simply used them as a natural break line. I cut in with the brush into the corner between the gunw...

Steve, You may want to do a search in this forum for related topics (for example "appraisals and insurance" from October 2006). I was able to add a "rider" to my homeowners policy to insure my canoe against loss. While your existing policy may cover personal watercraft to some de...

Tim, Another idea is to purchase or construct a canoe cover. I purchased a cover from "The Bag Lady" at http://www.waterworkscanoe.com/the_bag_lady.htm. The cover is custom made to fit the dimensions that you supply. My canoe is about 17.5 feet long and the cover cost about $125 if I recal...

Kerry, An eye bolt through the stem is kind of brutal, and probably eliminates the possibility of attaching a brass stem band. I have an alternative that is easier than you might imagine. If you constructed your canoe with inner and outer stems, you should have plenty of wood to drill through from s...

John, I am glad to hear that I am not the only slow builder! I took about three and a half years to finish my first (but not last) canoe. During that time, there were many interruptions including all the usual: work, home relocation, repairs & remodeling, and of course weather. At one point, the...

I tried to obtain a HIN after completing my canoe last year. I live in Michigan and was told to contact the Secretary of State office. Their subject matter expert in the capital confirmed that they could issue a HIN, but the local Secretary of State office was totally confounded. They asked for all ...

I would very much like to attend this event since I live in Michigan. However, I haven't been able to get in contact with Don Harper.
Does anyone else have any other details on this event (contacts, where to meet, schedule, etc)?

Another easy method to cut the scuppers is to pass the inwale laterally over a "dish cutter" bit in a router table. The dish cutter has a rounded edge and a flat bottom. The flat bottom of the bit cuts the inside surface of the scupper, while the rounded edge cuts the radius in the corner ...

Hello Charles, As described in Canoecraft, cut and bend the brass stem bands to fit the stem profile before drilling any holes. After it is bent to shape, mark the hole locations, then drill and countersink the holes. Space the holes every 6-8 inches. I don't have a keel on my canoe so I cannot comm...

Hello Ray, I built my canoe in my basement up to and including fiberglassing the hull. Before sanding the cedar, I hung clear plastic sheeting from the ceiling to the floor around the work area, and this was very successful in keeping the cedar dust contained. Note that the dust is very fine and it ...

Mike, Sorry to hear about your scupper difficulties. I really like the look and functionality of scuppers, but they can be a serious pain throughout the building process. They are worth the trouble, but just wait until to have to varnish them! I used a very simple method to cut my scuppers which I d...

Mike, I was also very apprehensive about tapering the gunwales. However, I found this to be much easier than it would seem. A hand plan is probably the best tool. Before the gunwale was installed, I clamped the length to be tapered in my "workmate" folding workbench. This straightens the g...

Hello Tom, I had the same thoughts as I was nearing completion of my first (and hopefully not last) canoe. While no insurance settlement could compensate for your time and efforts, it would be better than nothing, I think. My insurance agent said that they could put a "rider" on my homeown...