Lofted the Wee Lassie II

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

Well it is official! I am hooked! One wasn't enough. I lofted the Wee Lassie II from Mac MacCarthy's book and have the molds traced and ready to be cut. I am going to build another strongback and build this and another ranger this coming winter since I will be joblesss again come october. I realized that I can maximize my time if I have two going at the same time shifted just a bit in time frame.

I was thinking of going to a 3/16" strip on this one. Any thoughts or concerns I should look out for?


Thanks

Todd

[Jim Dodd]

You will have fun !
I have a set of plans for the Wee Lasse II from Mac.
I compared them to other plans and found them nearly Identical to the Arkansa Traveler from the Adirondak Museum, only closer station spacing.
Back to your original question.
I think 3/16" strips would be ideal ! I'd bead and cove for sure.
Making the bends near the stems are tough, and the thinner strips would help.
As far as strength, that little hull does'nt need 1/4" strips.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Funny how building one canoe leads to another !
Jim

[John Michne]

Todd -

I built the Wee Lassie II from 3/16 Honduras mahogany using bead and cove strips cut with 1/4" router bits. The whole build is documented on my web site, http://michneboat.com. Click through to my site, then click Builder's Corner. Scroll down to BUilding the Wee Lassie II.

- John

[Jim Dodd]

Great site John !!
A wealth of knowledge there !

I think every builder has come up with a different way to skin a cat. I guess that's why I like this site !

Nice job of the Wee Lasse II !
Jim

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

I got my molds sanded down and ready to mount on my stongback. I am looking forward to this project this winter.

On a side note I am going to pick up all of the molds for a haven 12 1/2. It was a deal i couldn't pass up. It looks like I may be branching out into daysailer construction!!

Todd

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

Stems are bent and glued and I got half of my mold sset last night so it is time to get some strips cut!

I really want a light colored canoe this time and was thinking of going with basswood for the strips. My trim will me ash.

Thoughts?

Thanks

Todd

[Glen Smith]

If using basswood, you could reduce the strip thickness to 3/16" to compensate for the extra weight of the basswood. Scratches don't show as much on light colored strips so they are ideal for the bottom of the hull.

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

How is the bending/twisting property of Basswood? I am concered mainly with the cheeks and bilge curve at the bow and stern on this design.

[Glen Smith]

I have only used it as accent strips but I had no problem with bending and/or twisting when using 3/16" strips.

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

A few candid shots of my basement laboratory.....and my new build.





My stem steam box made up of my wifes kettle, a piece of aluminum gutter downspout and a few rags oh yeah and the gas grill side burner. worked great.

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

I placed the first strip last noght on each side and found that the middle station mold is way to high and about 3/16" to narrow at the shear on each side. I nailed the strip to each mold so at this station I just pulled it out the 3/16" on each side to give, what looks to me, a fairer curve at the shear. I will have to add material to this mold now but no biggy just a little more difficult now that I have one strip run.

I guess my question is has there ever been a correction published anywhere to fix it? Once I started looking at the station hieghts at the keel line I noticed(why not when I lifted it to paper i will never know!) that three stations from the middle are all at 16-1/2" at the keel line and the middle statiion jumps way up to 16-7/8".

Thanks

Todd

[Glen Smith]

Hi Todd, I have some corrections for the Wee Lassie II.
Mold 3 height = 16 & 5/8".
Mold 2 height = 16 & 3/4".

[Glen Smith]

I found this info on Mac's website: http://www.feathercanoes.com/html/q&a.html

Hmm, I didn't realize Mac passed away in March.

[TC in Twin Lake 1]

Well, looks like my wee lassie will be a little flatter in the middle or I try to glue some wood on and refair in place. Hmmm.

I am leaning towards running with what I got. The bottom is more flat but I don't think that will make too much difference?

Ugg.

Todd

[Bryan Hansel]

If you only have one strip on each side, pull it off and fix the problem. You'll be happier in the long run.