Soon I plan on starting my first strip canoe. I'll probably order a kit the
first time. Anyone ever build one from Bear Mountain? I'm looking for one
for fishing and stream floating, no whitewater, mostly single but some
tandem paddling. I have a 17' fiberglass now, and want something shorter
and lighter. Ranger, Cottage Cruiser or something similar. Any insite
would be appreciated. Pretz
_________________________________________________________________
Keep up with high-tech trends here at "Hook'd on Technology."
http://special.msn.com/msnbc/hookedontech.armx
Pretz, Again, I am going to send you back to Noah's. They are a dealer for Bear Mountain. They also have a message forum with a stip canoe topic. Be sure and check back here. Some of these people may have an answer for you as well...
ReplyDeleteKruez...
Pretz-- Not to warn you off of kits, but there are lots of easy ways to do the same thing, with a whole lot financial cost (as a "Wooden Boat Builder" myself, I assume you are not afraid of throwing your own manhours at the project). Take a look at some of the links and references here: http://cedarstripcanoes@yahoogroups.com before you make a final choice. You may discover that you can use other woods than cedar; other plans than someone's kit; other tools than those you might have to purchase. I learned the lesson myself: making the parts myself led me to a much more satisfying project. The steps to that end are outlined fully in books and files already in existence. Besides, you alone know what you'll be using your boat for, and you want to be sure it's got the right design for your purposes. My point: look around first before deciding on the kit. They make good canoes, but they don's always "fit". JR
ReplyDeleteAs some examples, I tried to post some 5 photos of my "Sun of Liberty" to the site, in the photos section under Cedar Strip Canoes. If they're there, you can see what can be done with a little pegboard and some salvaged redwood from a 30-yr-old deck in our neighborhood. JR Sloan
ReplyDeleteSpokanoemaker, Try to upload them pics again, we would love to see them.... Kruez
ReplyDeletePretz, You said "shorter & lighter" than your 17-footer. What about 11'6" or 13'6"? WoodenBoat Books (Brooklin, ME) offers "Featherweight Boatbuilding" by "Mac" McCarthy. He details building the shorter Wee Lassie and the longer Wee Lassie II. These are built over molds (drawings & dimensions given) in strips then covered with epoxy and fibreglass. Chapter six even gives instructions for making a double ended paddle. I'd like to give it a try someday (if Fate permits). Rick
ReplyDeleteI've looked at web sites with plans for the shorter canoes, and want something shorter than my current 17' fiberglass, but with the ability to have another adult on short fishing trips. The 13' and 14' won't fit the bill for the few trips where I'll have my spouse or adult son. I don't want too high of a shearline to catch the wind. I love the looks of a stripper ( no double meaning intended, well, maybe a little, well, maybe more than a little), and have moderate woodworking skills and most hand tools. Seems to me that 15' is about as short as could accomodate two in the canoe
ReplyDeleteHey Pret - Gmorn'n Thought you might like to look at this page and get some ideas of 'some possibles'. It's from a site I take every opportunity to tout for it's depth and awe inspiring "linkages" lol. http://www.boat-links.com/linklists/boatlink-09.html#canoes Have a grrrreat one !
ReplyDeletePretz, From the sounds of your search, you might be looking for more of a boat than a canoe, in the length range you're considering. There are lots of designs in that length that might do: pulling boats, skiffs, wherries, dories and some of the Rangely boats and guideboats, for some. The best survey of these types I know of is John Gardner's book, now consolidated into one volume, "Building Classic Small Craft," which has plans and instructions for some 47 small boats ranging from rowing prams at eight feet to twenty-odd footers, most of which could be strip built or built using the methods shown in the book. Nice thing about building anything stripper-style is that you can use the frame profiles of the original as a starting point for the molds you use (or build into) your stripper. I got my copy from Edward R Hamilton at EdwardRHamilton.com (oddly enough). You can also find it at the Woodenboat Store by mail or online. For stripper techniques and lots of good in-process as well as finished projects, take a look at the "Links" section in this site for Cedarstripcanoes@yahoogroups.com. JR
ReplyDeleteSorry Kruez--major software crash at my house, now using wife's machine while mine is in the shop getting major virus surgery...pics later, in the Canoes section I guess. Is there a problem with my uploading to a file/album you have already set up??
ReplyDeleteJR
No sir, Shouldnt be any trouble uploading pictures to existing folders. The Picture gallery is set up as "Members may ad or delete their own photos." Give it another try when you get your PC disinfected.
ReplyDelete