Project Canoes and Kayaks

[stuphoto]

I finished the sewing on my kayak.

The whole kayak will get painted to seal the stitch holes, however the stitching will not be blended in. Which is the easy way to tell these kayaks apart.

This is the template for the new cockpit shape.

It's pretty much the same as the original except the front is rounded.
The hole is for 1 of the many clamps I will need for steam bending the wood.
I have about a 33" waist, and I can tell you that it's pretty tight on me.

I have some cedar strips planed and roughly cut down. Now soaking in water.
In a couple days I will hopefully have the chance to bend them up.

[stuphoto]

Over the summer I tried a couple ideas for the cockpit, and split more wood than I care to think of.
Until I got some fresh cut lumber from a small mill.

Then I cut it into thin strips, soaked it several says and steam bent it around this template.




The finished product sewn on my kayak right after the paint yesterday.


Oh that was the final touch.

[stuphoto]

I weighed it today.
My goal was 35lbs or less, but after all the work it is 41.5lbs

I am still happy with it.

Then I took it out for it's maiden voyage.

It is amazing. So lively, quick and still feels light.

I did scratch up the yellow paint already, but rebuilt it to use not just stare at.

I couldn't be more happy with it.

One more pic


Oh the paint was 100% inspired from the original ( to me ) colours.
I have not named it yet, but if the wrinkles don't flatten out I am thinking of
Yellow Chefs Hat, in French or some Native language.

The heat from the sun has largely flattened them out.
Most people iron them flat, a step I chose to skip and see what happens.

[Catsumi]

Congratulations on the finished product, wet at last!

You might name it BananaBoat.

[stuphoto]

Thanks Cats,
If you are taking a road trip on Saturday you are more than welcome to take it out.
I gave you my secret lakes name in the PM

[Fancy]

Congratulations on the finished product, wet at last!

You might name it BananaBoat.

Lovely boat - but NO!! Not BananaBoat - no fish on the boat!

[stuphoto]

Don't worry Fancy,
Banana Boat reminds me of a story an old friend told me.
Even though I haven't seen her in years, I wouldn't use the name out of respect.

Plus not being a bible thumper, fishermen or someone who would even eat fish means your safe.

[dirtybiker]

Nice work. Satisfaction of bringing a project together with fine results.

It certainly holds great character.

[Catsumi]

My kayak skin was vinyl, just like store shopfront awnings. This product reduced the total weight of kayak to less than 40 lbs, The seat was made of mahogany as were the leg supports. Perhaps this wood wasn't necessary, maybe heavier than needed, but it worked.

I designed a makeshift carriage for kayak: two bicycle wheels with a cradle in between where nose would fit into, then lifted kayak by its rear end and pushed it to shoreline, much like you'd push a wheelbarrow). Genius I am. I now see others 20 years later doing it now.

Mine also had an entry opening that extended to my knee which made entry and exit so easy for a senior with hip issues to use.

Whatever.

It is great to see peeps building their own watercraft rather than relying on the plastic industry, all premade.

I have noticed that using a commercially made plastic kayak, that the racket made by the water smashing against the sides made darn sure you were not able to silently, stealthily, creep up on waterbirds. Just too noisy. Vinyl skin quiet, silent and sleek against water

[stuphoto]

You are absolutely right Cats,
They are silent even with waves pounding over them.

I came to Kelowna for a quick trip today ( going back tomorrow) and arrived around 6pm.
As windy as you could imagine at Tugboat Bay.
I was a little hesitant, but couldn't resist taking the kayak out.
It was tough paddling out, but sure rewarding surfing back to shore.
After an hour I was wearing out, and called it a day.

During that time I was amazed how quiet the little boat is
It was very impressive straight into the waves, and just rolled with them while pointing sideways.
It weathercocked ( pointed into the wind ) more than I would have dreamed. Actually making it a little tough to paddle in a cross wind. However that was part of the design, so hunters would be downwind of the pray.
I never felt unsafe at any point.

I am thinking of building my own from scratch over the next year.
However I have a couple projects started I had better finish soon.

[stuphoto]

You probably knew I couldn't stop at just the boat.

To match skin on frame kayaks most people use Greenland Paddles.
Being usually made out of a single cedar 2x4, its easy understanding why some people call them sticks.
You can read a good story on them here.
https://greatoutdoorprovision.com/adven ... iscovered/

Anyway, using a single 2x4 was too easy for me.
So I started with several pieces of cedar and oak. Laminating 11 pieces together in this pattern.

Plus drew in the rough shape.

After several hours with mostly a hand planer is started taking shape.


The first coat of varnish.


Just a few minutes ago, after the third and final coat.



I will probably take it out tomorrow and try it.

Although I will probably make more of these paddles in the near future, this is the only one I will ever use oak in.
Although it's strong, it's also heavy leaving this paddle at 3 pounds.
Not to mention how hard it is to work with while using hand tools.
My guess is that I'll hang it up as an art piece next year.

[alanjh595]

GREAT JOB!!!! That is a very nice piece.

[stuphoto]

Thanks Alan,

I did make it out for about an hour.
It was almost perfect, with a couple loons keeping me company and meeting a nice couple from Kelowna.

The paddle of course performed perfectly.

Oh all the rope rigging is new. It required drilling 16 holes in the kayak, so I was hesitant doing it.
It's nice keeping a gopro strapped on now just in case something is worth filming.

A friend said I really should sign the paddle, so I may be grabbing out the dremal soon and hoping I don't mess it up.

[GordonH]

Trying to remember his first name (last name was Cook), he was was older fellow couple decades ago who as a hobby would build cedar strip canoes. Nice looking canoes

Hell of a lot of work though.

[stuphoto]

He probably made beautiful boats Gordon,
If you are passing through Grand Forks, there is a nice cedar canvas canoe restoration shop
http://www.canoeshop.ca/
The owner Mike is great talking to, and probably has some boats older than anyone on here.

I have just decided to start my next boat soon.
This time making another skin on frame, Pontoon Boat For my mom.
With a tiny electric motor.
Something stable and light enough for her to drag on the beach on her own if she needs a day to herself.
She has some friends living along Jewel Lake, who I believe will allow her to store it there.