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My 12 foot canoe is ready for launching! I installed the first strips on April 11th and today (June 4th) I installed the seats and thwart. It tips the scales at 29 pounds (13.2kg). I designed it myself using Ross Leidy's "Kayak Foundry" software and the lines were inspired by the "Chemaunis" from Carrying Place Canoe Works. The hull is 3/16" thick Eastern White Cedar, the inner stems are white cedar, the outer stems and keel are Ash, the accent stripes are Basswood and dark brown WRC, the gunwales are Cherry, the seats and thwart are Ash, the decks are Walnut. I copied John Caldeira's accent stripe design, thanks John. There is one layer of 4 ounce cloth inside and outside. I used West 105/207 inside and I used Citadel 14-02 & 14-08 outside. The varnish is Varathane water-based Urethane. I applied 6 coats of satin on the inside, 9 coats of gloss on the gunwales and decks and 8 coats of gloss on the outer hull. I will have to get it outside for some better pictures but for now you can look at these ones: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/ ... anoe%2012/, the latest pics are on page 3.
Wow, when an artist meets a craftsman.
Outstanding.
All the best,
Doug
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"Some people hear the song in the quiet mist of a cold morning..... But for other people the song is loudest in the evening when they are sitting in front of a tent, basking in the camp fire's warmth. This is when I hear it loudest ...." BM
Thanks everyone for the kind words. I will probably use this canoe on a fishing trip in about 10 days so it should get a good test then.
The varnish used is very thin and it takes at least 6 coats before any gloss starts to appear but you can apply 3 or 4 coats in one day so it isn't too bad. It does make for a lot of sanding though!
I will be bringing this canoe to the Rendezvous so anyone who wants to see it or paddle it, come along.
Actually, I do have another one to build but that's another story. I hauled the canoe out today so I could take a few pictures in natural lighting. They can be viewed here: http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/ ... 20Outside/
Randy, what makes you think the snow is all gone? Actually there is a pile of it in the field behind the house. They are currently building houses there and in early Spring a bulldozer pushed all the snow into one huge pile. The brown crud on it is protecting it from the heat of the sun and the pile is still about 5 feet high.
Thanks Mark, this wasn't really an easy project since I built from my own plans and the majority of the cedar I used was from a pile of "rejects" that almost ended up as kindling. It took less than 7 weeks to build it but I spent many long hours on the design phase.
The Boatmaster has once again produced a fine piece of work! Your project turned out VERY spectacular! Congratulations on another job well done. You will have to let us know how she paddles (and how the fishing was). Keep us posted!
Glen,
Fantastic looking canoe! And I really admire your speed.
Your photos give me many ideas for future projects. I especially like the look of the light colored Eastern white cedar and the grain patterns in the walnut decks. Wonderful contrasts.
Given my difficulties with varnish, I am really curious about the Varathane water-based Urethane that you used. How does the application compare with Epifanes? Particularly, the leveling characteristics (and bubbles, or lack thereof). I have applied water based urethane to hardwood floors, and have been very pleased with the hardness and durability. How much experience is there with water-based urethane in marine applications?