The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Absolutely beautiful canoe .... you did a great job.

Thanks Randy,

Definitely glad I asked, I really didn't have it ... now I do.

Hi Randy, I am still a bit confused on fitting the stems, and I figure how I cut the strips at this point is going to impact that process. Did you have any pics before (or as) you were fitting the stems. It appears that after the turn to the keel, the strip slot is formed into "V" to the i...

Coming up on the transition from vertical to horizontal on the bow and stern stems, have a few butterflies about that, but it has gone so well, so far, I just have to have faith I guess.

It's amazing how time slips by when you stripping ... the canoe. This is my progress to date, it is actually recognizable as a canoe now.




Hopefully, I got the picture load correct.


Cheers
Brian

Well, the chine didn't defeat me, it is complete, i am happy with the results and have started installing regular strips towards the keel. I really like the tape approach, but decided to try the stretchy plastic film they sell to do pallet wrapping. There was a roll left over from my speaker project...

Trimmed the first strip and actually glued the first strip in place. I didn't get ambitious, simply because I wanted to get used to the tape and cable ties. What a pleasant surprise, it worked really well and I am now set to go all out on the planking, I think the chine part is the only really tough...

I took a second look at the picture, I think it was just the size, made it appear that there was a dowel at the keel line, but it isn't really. I finished lining up the first strips on either side, what a lot of fiddling, but done and looks good. I then took a very deep breath and started carving th...

Hi Randy, I have the molds all installed and have tried the initial strip install, i couldn't wait to see that. But, I think I am going to rethink the start a little, because that step is the most important. I was reviewing your photo log of your Solo build (thank you for that, it is a very good res...

I just finished gluing up the stem strips, while they setup I plan on doing final strongback alignment and mold setup for the rest of the day. My strips are sorted, bundled and the first 21 are numbered for installation .... so I can setup the stems, on the molds tomorrow after the epoxy has setup. ...

Big project, great progress and skill to be envied ..... but the best are the gluing jigs, you just have to love that.

I can so relate to how much work the prep is, I completed my strongback (except for final alignment) and used that as the infeed table to the router, it worked really well (actually used it as infeed to the saw for the strips as well).
Just a thought that may be of use.

Hi Randy, I was hoping to have all of my molds done this weekend, but I had a minor setback with the wood. The coving and beading went so well that I routed all of the cedar strips, then realized I should have held back the ones I needed for the inner stems. So back to the lumber yard for more cedar...

Randy, I am getting very close to actually starting my canoe (read that - making a lot of sawdust currently), the strips are close to complete, strongback is done, but I have not done final setup on SB as I have subverted it as an infeed table for the strips, when that is complete, I will do final b...

Thanks for the input, I think I have the grain sorted out now. I just used the "feel" approach and marked the end of every board in the group with marker (grain goes in direction of marked end). I started with 2x4s so I kept the boards together, and kept the top and bottom strips together ...