15' 0" Hiawatha

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Arctic
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Location: Harrietsville, Ontario
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Post by Arctic »

Seats, Decks and Yoke are all ready now. They are layed out on the boat for rough positioning. Still have to sand the epoxy though. I am waiting for a warm day so I can open the garage door and have good ventilation. In the mean-time I will cut all the trim pieces to size just prior to installation.

Updated photo's at:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/

Mark,
Cantley, Quebec.
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Arctic
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Location: Harrietsville, Ontario
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Post by Arctic »

Well, The end is near. After installing the trim (seats, decks, yoke, gunwales) I am ready to do the final sanding of the surface and then apply the marine Varnish. I will do the outside first then the inside- right now I am on track to finish by the end of the month- I am just waiting for some warmer weather so I can open the outside doors for the sanding process (need the ventilation- that is why I went ahead and installed the trim first).

Updated photo's at:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/

Mark
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Arctic
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Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2005 12:06 pm
Location: Harrietsville, Ontario
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Post by Arctic »

Almost there.

Today it was clear and 7 degrees C- I got the shop doors opened and spent about two hours sanding the epoxy on my boat. She is all "scratched" up now and has that cloudy/milky look to her- I sure do hope the varnish brings back her shine!
I am planning on doing the varnishing (at least one side) this weekend. After that it will just be stem bands and testing her out. Good thing- I go back to work in two weeks, and spring will be here soon!

On another note- I will once again be on the local Dragonboat team this year- 22 Paddlers, one steersman, and a whole bunch of fun- we did pretty decent last year. Pretty interesting Canoe there- wonder if anyone on the forum has built one? :thinking

Anyways, updated pictures (including one of last years Dragonboat Team on the photo- site:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/

Looking forward to finishing the job and taking her out!

Mark,
Cantley, Quebec.
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Arctic
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Location: Harrietsville, Ontario
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Post by Arctic »

Started August 10th, 2005.
Finished March 27th, 2006.

That's right, as of today she is completed!

Mark
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Patricks Dad
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Location: Warrenville, Illinois

Post by Patricks Dad »

Congratulations!
Randy Pfeifer
(847) 341-0618
Randy.Pfeifer1@gmail.com
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Glen Smith
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Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Post by Glen Smith »

Bravo Mark :applause

Now we want launch pictures and no excuses about all the water in your area being frozen. :laughing
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Arctic
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Post by Arctic »

Thanks guys.

The last coat of varnish is still drying as I write this.
I took a walk around Lac Lemay today- still about a foot of ice to melt- but soon, very soon!
I plan on making a paddle this summer, in the meantime Canadian Tire Paddles will have to suffice. This was the most challenging, "hands on" project I have done in a very long time. Some parts went amazingly well, especially the woodworking. Some parts were more difficult and frustrating, the fiberglass/epoxy wetout on the inside comes to mind!

I have learned a lot, and developed a real interest in boat building and design. I don't think it will be too long before I try a Kayak, (still have to convince Mama Bear though!)
I will post some updated photo's and launch photo's soon. I just want to get some pictures of her out of the shop, it is so "gloomy" in there.

In the meantime- a huge debt of gratitude to all the Bear Mountain Forum users, for thier posts, knowledge and support- especially Glen Smith, who was always there with expert advice and foresight. All of you guys on this forum are a class act- it truly has been a pleasure.

Mark,
Cantley, Quebec.
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Arctic
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Post by Arctic »

Here are some new photo's of the finished boat. As you can see we are still waiting for the snow to melt:

http://photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/

Mark
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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mtpocket
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Location: Indiana

Post by mtpocket »

There is some damn nice boats being built up there in Quebec. Great job. I hope you get to enjoy it on the water real soon. :applause
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davidb54321
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Post by davidb54321 »

Mark,

Nice looking canoe! I too am waiting for snow to melt. I am going to take my canoe out of the cellar for the first time this weekend.(Hope it fits through the door) :frightened
David Bartlett

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"
http://photobucket.com/albums/b81/davidb54321/
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Arctic
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Post by Arctic »

Well the snow and ice have melted! About a week ago now. After work today I couldn't wait any longer. I topped the Canoe on my truck and drove to Lac LeMay in the heart of Hull. Then she got wet. I paddled her across and then around the lake. My first impressions are good. No Leaks!!! (not that I really expected any with all that epoxy I used). She was about as stable as I expected and sits nice and low in the water, the sheer comes up nicely on both ends- looks really good on and next to the lake. I am afraid I did not have the camera with me so no pictures yet (next time though).

I was impressed by the speed and am looking forward to trying her out with a second paddle, (this first time was a solo run). All in all a great first paddle with her and it felt very satisfying to paddle a boat that I made with my own hands. Got lots of looks from the people walking around the lake as well, I think they were curious and impressed, it all felt great. Will post pics next time I remember to load the camera when I go!
Now for a homebrewed beer to celebrate!

Mark, :smile
Cantley, Quebec.
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Patricks Dad
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Post by Patricks Dad »

Congratulations! Enjoy the brew and the canoe!
Randy Pfeifer
(847) 341-0618
Randy.Pfeifer1@gmail.com
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Glen Smith
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Location: Baie-St-Paul, Quebec, Canada

Post by Glen Smith »

Mark, the first paddle in your hand-crafted canoe sure has a sweet taste to it, doesn't it? I still fondly remember my first launching, afterall it was only 5 years ago!

So, what ya' gonna' build next, huh?
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Arctic
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Post by Arctic »

Build next: a 16 or 17 foot Kayak- still deciding on design, but it wont be built for a while.

Mark
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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Arctic
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Post by Arctic »

Some thoughts on the Hiawatha after a summer of paddling:

I had the Hiawatha out for the last 4 days on the Severn River (Muskoka's in Ontario). Thought I would post a few thoughts on it.

As a double paddle it is a fast and responsive boat. I was very impressed with the responsiveness with two padlers, (or one paddler and a load in the front). As a single paddle it was also nice, but much more sensitive to being pushed around by the wind- due to the high sheer line at the front end, nonetheless I was still able to control it with a little extra work.

She sits low in the water- not as much freeboard as I thought there would be, but I loaded here down with over 600 lbs. (three large people) and she still had a comfortable amount of freeboard to work with- probably about 4-5".

If I were to build her again, I would add a keel, just to stabilize her more with a single paddle- but I did not find her any more tippy than other canoes I have been in- although with a third person moving around in the centre (three in the boat) there were a few tense moments!

She gave me some great paddles this week on some beautiful waters- and looked great on the dock and in the water- lots of rubber neckers when she went by (even while driving with her on the roof of the car).

I have added a few photo's of her on the dock- One thing I found was when I wasn't out with her, and she was on the dock- I would sit there and stare at her- she just looked so good sitting there next to the water. (Sounds like I am talking about a girl now!).

http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b265/arctic971/?

Still trying to decide what to build next- but before then my Hiawatha will be out much more these next few months- and I am really looking forward to being on the lakes of the Gatineau for the fall colours.

Any comments to this are welcome and encouraged.

Mark
Cantley, Quebec
"The journey is the reward"- Tao saying
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