Launch of Freedom 17'9"

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sel4sel4
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:13 pm
Location: Gatineau, QC CANADA

Launch of Freedom 17'9"

Post by sel4sel4 »

Hello Everyone,

After three years of work I finally launched my canoe at the beginning of this summer.

Here are a few pics.

My son trying out the seats.... but backwards:

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The inlays (there is an identical one on the other side)

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The decks
Here you can see my pale imitation of Martin Step's wraparound inlay
The decks are composed of curly maple, cherry, and lacewood.

Image

The boat was launched on June 15th at Lac Leamy (Gatineau, QC)
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I hope you enjoy the pics.

I even took the canoe out for a 3 day expedition in the Papineau Labelle Reserve... and put a few scratches on her.

The boat weighs in at 72 pounds. It is heavy because my decks are over-sized and the trim is mostly hard maple. The seats are my design and also made of hard maple and of plastic cane in the daisy pattern. I carved the yoke out of the same wood as well, and I fitted it perfectly for my shoulders.
I also used Martin Step's hidden hardware (the helicoils) to attach the seats, thwarts and yoke.

Despite the weight she is a dream to paddle and portage (I am on the heavy side too so I can handle her). She runs effortlessly through the water and tracks really well. I am quite pleased of the result of my first boat building experience.

Thanks to all of you for the inspiration and for all the problem solving and troubleshooting advice I found here on this forum. I must have spent as much time reading on this forum as I did working on the boat ... no kidding. I probably would not have been able to do half the stuff I did without the information I found here.

The next step is now to prepare her for canoe sailing ... build a mast, leeboards, and the rudder and sew some sails. I guess I'll be busy for the next three years...

Cheers

Martin, Gatineau
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep. - Scott Adams

http://s133.photobucket.com/albums/q49/ ... 20prjoect/
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Juneaudave
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 12:42 pm
Location: Juneau, Alaska
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Post by Juneaudave »

:applause :applause :applause Congratulations!!! She is a beautiful canoe...I think your son, and your son's son, are going to enjoy it the most!!!
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Glen Smith
Posts: 3719
Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 9:08 am
Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Post by Glen Smith »

Wow Martin! She is a true beauty.
BearLeeAlive
Posts: 196
Joined: Tue Aug 18, 2009 7:00 pm

Post by BearLeeAlive »

Great job Martin. Your work on the inlay and decks is fantastic.
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Patricks Dad
Posts: 1476
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 1:11 pm
Location: Warrenville, Illinois

Post by Patricks Dad »

Awesome looking craft! Nice job!
Randy Pfeifer
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sluggo
Posts: 244
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:17 pm
Location: Vancouver BC

Post by sluggo »

Looks fantastic!
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mtpocket
Posts: 562
Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 2:48 pm
Location: Indiana

Post by mtpocket »

It was well worth the wait. Beautiful work. :applause
Big Woody
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:18 pm

Post by Big Woody »

Beautiful! :applause

I'd love to see more photos of it out on the water.
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