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Thread: Who here likes Cedar Strip Canoe?

  1. #1
    Boolit Master Just Duke's Avatar
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    Who here likes Cedar Strip Canoe?

    Last edited by Just Duke; 01-13-2013 at 03:26 PM.

  2. #2
    In Remembrance
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    I love the looks of them, and at one time planned on building one.
    My canoeing is now motorized and I'm afraid the rocks I seem to find would not be nice to a cedar strip canoe though. lol

  3. #3
    Boolit Master Just Duke's Avatar
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    I added some eye candy

  4. #4
    Boolit Master plmitch's Avatar
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    Very nice! In High School our woodworking class built a couple of strip canoes my JR/SR year. Lots of work goes in to them.
    Life's hard, even harder if your stupid.

  5. #5
    Boolit Master
    dagger dog's Avatar
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    Duke,

    Are you going to build a laker with a straight keel line, or a river runner with some rocke r? Any canoe that gets used will take some hard knocks, even open water lakers.

    You'll have to look into building a steamer,those ribs, gunnels and stems have to be softened with steam to be bent into those shapes especially the ribs as that design Old Town has a lot of tumblehome, several jigs will be needed to repeat the shapes and a trailer load of clamps. Large diameter pvc pipe can be used to make the steamer.

    That's one huge project, would like watch as it comes together.
    Good luck!
    "NUTS" A. Clement McAullife

  6. #6
    Boolit Master Just Duke's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dagger dog View Post
    Duke,

    Are you going to build a laker with a straight keel line, or a river runner with some rocke r? Any canoe that gets used will take some hard knocks, even open water lakers.

    You'll have to look into building a steamer,those ribs, gunnels and stems have to be softened with steam to be bent into those shapes especially the ribs as that design Old Town has a lot of tumblehome, several jigs will be needed to repeat the shapes and a trailer load of clamps. Large diameter pvc pipe can be used to make the steamer.

    That's one huge project, would like watch as it comes together.
    Good luck!
    Sorry for the delay all my materials arrived on the same day so I'm finally have something to work on.
    Probably a couple of each when I get to where I'm going. I am unfortunately not able to fabricate them here not due to available materials but lack of humidity. The integrity of the craft is relative to the ambient humidity thus keeping the joints tight. One thing I should add the canoe has an outer veneer of fiberglass that becomes translucent post resin has been applied and compliments the integrity. Even with that said in a dry climate the cedar will shrink and de-laminate it's self from the fiberglass hence they will have to be built elsewhere.
    Steaming is pretty old school for me. In Den CO I ran with a fella that had the radiator shop next to the Diving School early 80's I was attending and he was the go to guy for dog sledding in the area. He took me under his wing and schooled me in steam bending parts for dog sleds as he didn't want all he learned to pass with him. I found it unfortunate I will not able to reciprocate the the favor of knowledge to younger generations.
    Yes Cedar for sure is easier to steam bend than white Ash.
    I took the info and ran with it.
    I do have plans on PDF the guys on the canoe building forum sent me for different canoes.
    I will have to say as far as huge projects go <yawn> this is just peanuts and cracker jacks compared to those that built fleets of 17th century square riggers.
    Anyway my bout with boredom has seceded as all my materials for several projects have seemed to arrive all on the same day.
    Last edited by Just Duke; 01-18-2013 at 10:34 PM.

  7. #7
    Boolit Buddy
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    Love the looks of them, would really like to find one in need of some attention, but doubt I would have the patience to build from scratch...

  8. #8
    Boolit Master
    dagger dog's Avatar
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    If you keep them on the water where they belong , they don't have a chance to dry out !
    They might be nice to look at but it's more fun to paddle them !

    You going to do it the old way with planes, spokeshaves and drawknives ?

    The Chesnut Prospector design is probably one of the best for all around paddling , pretty dry when the waters rough, but still has enough straight line to carry hull speed for crossing those long stretches.
    Last edited by dagger dog; 01-18-2013 at 08:41 PM.
    "NUTS" A. Clement McAullife

  9. #9
    Boolit Master

    Marvin S's Avatar
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    They are beauties for sure same as a birtch bark.

  10. #10
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    I built a cedar strip sea kayak. It was from plans, called the Guillemont Expedition. It took me two years of weekends to finish her. The wood work was very enjoyable, but the fiberglass was a little stressful for a first timer. You only have a limited time before the epoxy sets up. The kayak is fiberglassed inside and out, and most people can't even tell. They just think its only wood. Actually, the wood adds very little to the structural integrity, the fiberglass has all the strength. Canoes are a little harder to build because they need to have the strips beveled just right so they look good inside and out. The yak didn't matter on the inside much as no one ever will see it. Enjoy your project and keep us updated. I don't know a lot about canoe building but if you have any general questions, just ask.

  11. #11
    Boolit Bub
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    I like them. They handle so well and are pure art on the water.

  12. #12
    Boolit Bub raingauge's Avatar
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    Bought a modified Red Bird years ago, strippers are the finest canoe in the water. Traded it off in a gun deal, poorest decision I ever made. Glass and plastic canoes are in the same class as jon boats when compared to a stripper. Just my opinion

  13. #13
    Boolit Master
    dragonrider's Avatar
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    I know a guy who builds them from 5' to 17'. His website below

    http://www.littlebearcanoes.com/canoes.html
    Paul G.
    Once I was young, now I am old and in between went by way to fast.

    The end move in politics is always to pick up a gun.
    -- R. Buckminster Fuller

  14. #14
    Boolit Master pls1911's Avatar
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    Built 2.5 sea kayaks. Very Interesting designs can be made wuth different woods.
    I used red cedar, white cedar, redwood, and white pine.
    When laminated between fiberglass plys you can take a 2 pound mallet and TRY to break through....only to either fail miserably, or break the mallet. I know because I tried it.....the mold release failed when I laid up the front hatch cover lips. It was glued on like I meant to do it!
    I beat on that hatch until my arms wore out, and finally had to very carefully saw the hatch out.

    That experience resolved any doubts I had about the strength of strip built canoes and kayaks.
    I have pictures somewhere and will post 'em later.
    Salvaging old Marlins is not a pasttime...it's a passion

  15. #15
    Boolit Buddy
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    I know the thread is old but anyone that is interested in building one, here is some advise. Firstly reasearch on how to use clamps and wedges for applying pressure to the cedar strips when gluing. It's a pain but the end result is not one nail or staple hole visible in the hull. Next is time, make sure you have it. It took me 4 months straight and I worked every night on it.
    The end product was awesome. I got really into it and hand wove my seats from rawhide. It's a learn as you go project so don't be intimidated by the initial scope, broken down into steps it's manageable.

  16. #16
    Boolit Master
    Tom W.'s Avatar
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    The owner of the sawmill that I used to work at had one. It had little brass nails or rivets or something all over it, and I figured they weren't for decoration. It looked heavy! But it was beautiful!
    Tom
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    Did I ever mention that I hate to trim brass?

  17. #17
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Had a friend that did a birch bark canoe (17 footer) and it was a thing of beauty when finished. Second time out with it his wife got in and stepped between the rails. major repair job there. The cedar strip are really something to be admired.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master Jim22's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dagger dog View Post
    If you keep them on the water where they belong , they don't have a chance to dry out !
    Well - if you live where winters freeze that is not quite the best idea. You can't keep them in a frozen lake or river. Putting them in a shop will not keep them wet for the winter. Especially if the shop is heated. Musical instruments split and crack during winter because the already dry winter air is further dried by adding a heater. Canoes will as well. Consider building the canoe when the humidity is 50% and then subjecting it to humidities of less than 10% for months.

    Jim

  19. #19
    Boolit Master
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    cedar strip boats are just pure eye candy, they are absolutey amazing to paddle and use, not even close by comparison to new style plastics and aluminum. you will be very happy with your own hand built no doubt about it.

  20. #20
    Boolit Master
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    I bought a couple books on how to make cedar strip canoes. I have large stacks of Roughcut red cedar and a pretty good sized outfitted wood shop that was all here when I bought the place. but I'm not much of a wood worker. anyone interested in making one of these I have lots of red cedar. maybe one of these days ill get around to making a hard back form and trying to get motivated to give it a try to make one

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