Still sketching plans for a strip-built pirogue, have a few questions about construction....
What are the dimensions of the strips used in this method? I realize length would be determinate on the positioning of the strip on the craft, but what are the optimum width and thickness dimensions? Are these dimensions a factor of the material used (cypress, white pine, yellow pine, oak etc.) and the amount of curvature to be covered or is there a standard working dimension?
I've got a few ideas I'm kicking around, I'm sure I'll have other questions. I'd appreciate any help I can get from guys that have already used this construction method.
Thanks,
Gary
Hi Gary, the dimensions I used for my Cosine Wherry were 1/4 x 7/8ths. Most canoe builder's use 1/4 x 3/4ths. I suggest cedar as it is light weight, wraps around the mold nicely, sands easiest. I presume you will be fiberglassing over for strength and water protection. What method of joining the strip edges are you considering; cove and bead or square edge? I used the square edge method and definitely would go with the cove & bead next time. Finding clear-straight grained material that is a bit longer than your project length is the easiest to work with. I would suggest obtaining the book "Illustrated Guide to Wood Strip Canoe Building" by Susan Van Leuvan. Excellent reference for tools and techniques, well illustrated. It is one of the easiest to understand and most thorough of the books out there, in my opinion of course! Good luck, Will
ReplyDeleteThanks, Will, I appreciate the information, most especially the book information. As soon as things slow down after the holidays I am going to get a copy of it. Your boat is beautiful, I love the appearance of the different color woods. I will have to go back and re-read the article about how you finished it, that is the same effect I want, to be able to see the color of the natural wood through the finish. Right now my boat project is on hold, we've got 8 kids and 6 grandkids and our house is Christmas Central. I also have several projects to finish before Christmas, both as gifts and pieces for customers, but January is always slow and I will have time then. I was going to use a simple butt joint to join the edges of the strips, however, a cove and bead joint would offer more gluing surface and a more secure fit. I had also considered a double rabbit joint for those same reasons but that wouldn't offer the flexibilty of the cove and bead and in areas of even moderate curvature there would be lengths that would be very hard to glue. I appreciate the idea. Joyeux Noel et Nouvelle Annee Heureuse, Gary.
ReplyDeleteVery good advice, all, and I appreciate your tips on method of construction, it all makes a good deal of sense and would save me lots of time. I'm afraid my boat building project is on hold indefinitely, we got some news on the 15th that is going to require a great deal of my time and is infinitely more important. My youngest daughter, age 6, was found to have a tumor on one of her kidneys so events are going to proceed pretty quickly from here and there is not going to be a lot of time for personal endeavors of this nature. Thank you all for your advice, and if I could venture one favor, please remember my daughter in your prayers. I'll be back when we win this battle. Gary Davis
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