A simple little canoe

[hokiefan]

I've been telling myself for awhile now I was going to build another Cheap Canoe for myself up here in Peoria. Thats the free design from bateux2.com that my son and I built several years ago. As we did last time, I'm building with a chine log and center frame, not stitch and glue. The same construction method as the 6 Hour Canoe from our host, but a better design. Looking for a light build, I considered using 1/8 luan door skins instead of the 1/4" plywood called for. But since I couldn't find it around here after several days of calling around, I decided to go with 5 mm luan, very close to 3/16, lighter for sure. And I don't want to hear any grousing about cheap materials, its my boat!

So, the first weekend in February I bought some furing strips and cobbled together a stand to build it on.



The next weekend I scarfed my chines together.



And built the center frame.



Cheers,

Bobby

[hokiefan]

The next weekend I got out the side panels and butt joined them together.



A little duct tape and it looks like a boat.



This last weekend I glued in the center frame and both stems.





Its amazing how slippery glue is. It can take some redneck tools (duct tape!!!) to hold things still enough to get a clamp on.

[hokiefan]

Last night I fit the chine logs and tonight I glued up the first one.



Tomorrow I'll get the other one glued up and then I'll start fairing the chines to fit the bottom. With a bit of luck I'll get that on this weekend and it will essentially be a boat.

Cheers,

Bobby

[Breakaway]

Nice. Internal chines and I like that you placed the butt block at the frame.

Kevin

[Lewisboater]

Man after my own heart...build in the house. I have a 10 ft PDR style scow getting done in an upstairs bedroom and a 5.5 ft row boat sitting on my dining room table. I don't currently have a wife living with me... obviously

[TerryLL]

Doing a Ness Yawl or Ninigret in that space will be a challenge.

[hokiefan]

Doing a Ness Yawl or Ninigret in that space will be a challenge.

They will require a change of venue to be sure!

Bobby

[Robert Meyer]

Name: Hokie Pokey?
It's What It's All About!

[Tar Devil]

Looks great, Bobby! If I do another, the chine logs will be external.

[switters]

[IMG][/IMG]

There is home built and then really, I mean home built, looking good Bobby. Great to see you on a build, sometimes I like the little builds just for the instant gratification they give.

keep posting the pics,

[Tom Robb]

Building on an oriental rug. You must be single too.

[switters]

[IMG][/IMG]

Why the internal chines?

Duct tape is my friend too

You are also my hero for getting the stems in without resorting to the drill.

[Eddiebou]

"It's your thing. Do what you wanna do."

I think it's terrific. That a Martin over in the corner?

[hokiefan]

Got home from a business dinner with a supplier and promptly set about getting the second chine glued in.

Building on an oriental rug. You must be single too.

For practical purposes revolving around this place in Peoria I am. My family stayed in Savannah while I'm working here, hence the two "homes". And you'll notice a tarp under the boat proper.

[IMG][/IMG]

Why the internal chines?

Duct tape is my friend too

You are also my hero for getting the stems in without resorting to the drill.

Internal as opposed to external? Because I like the way they look better, and fitting the ends was an enjoyable challenge. Since the stem is quite slender there wasn't much room for fasteners. So I glued it on the first side square. Then used a plane to get the proper angle. If you notice the pic I used two clamps on the side behind the stem to keep the side from sliding forward. The duct tape kept it from sliding up and down. And I just played with the clamps in my dry fit to find a way they stayed securely. It looks like they are falling off, but they are really on pretty good.

"It's your thing. Do what you wanna do."

I think it's terrific. That a Martin over in the corner?

Not a Martin, but a student model Yamaha. Considering what I paid for it, it sounds pretty good. Its better than I am for sure.

Cheers,

Bobby

[Songololo]

Looking good!

In the movie Southern Comfort there are some pirogues which having an interesting feature, something that I hesitate to call a reverse top strake which give the canoe a bit of tumblehome, maximum amidships tapering out for and aft. This feature would seems to make paddling easier.

It can be seen in this clip briefly at 2:34 and again on the water from 4:50 onwards.

[JayInOz]

Songololo my plan was to read some posts then go back outside and do some more work- not sit on my freckle watching movies Oh well- the weather's awful today anyway. JayInOz

[SMARTINSEN]

Good job, Bobby.

This kind of thing is what is great about the WBF.

[hokiefan]

Tonight I got home late again, seems to be a recurring theme!!! So I started fairing the chines.



Fun to see shavings show up on the floor!!!



Progress is good at the end of the day :-)

Cheers,

Bobby

[jsjpd1]

What a most excellent and worthy project! Sometimes the only sanity is progress on projects at the end of the day.

Jim

[Songololo]

For those not wanting to potentially get sucked in to watching an online movie , here are two pics of the pirogues with tumbleome (or just an interesting inwale?) amidships that I mentioned in post #15:

[hokiefan]

So tonight I've pretty much finished fairlng the chines. Yeah I'll take this fit!!!



The bottom goes on by the end of the weekend, unless the world falls apart.

Cheers,

Bobby

[hokiefan]

Everything takes longer than it is supposed to! Not the boat work necessarily, but everything else in my life. But nonetheless, over the weekend I got the bottom cut out and butt joined.



When I test fit it I found the clearance I left for the butt strap wasn't quite enough. An hour or so with the blockplane and the little pull saw worked that out. And tonight the bottom was installed.



Over the next few days I'll get the edge of the bottom cleaned up.

Cheers,

Bobby

[switters]

So tonight I've pretty much finished fairlng the chines. Yeah I'll take this fit!!!



The bottom goes on by the end of the weekend, unless the world falls apart.

Cheers,

Bobby

nice fit Bobby!

[McMike]

That looks like fun Bobby! I gots ta git me a bachelor pad like that so I can build without putting my shoes and coat on!!!

Looks great, I hope you're having a ball building it!!

[Canoez]

That looks like fun Bobby! I gots ta git me a bachelor pad like that so I can build without putting my shoes and coat on!!!

Looks great, I hope you're having a ball building it!!

C'mon, Mike - what's holding you back? After the kitchen tour-de-for e you must have enough brownie points built up!

[hokiefan]

That looks like fun Bobby! I gots ta git me a bachelor pad like that so I can build without putting my shoes and coat on!!!

Looks great, I hope you're having a ball building it!!

Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!!! There's a downside to this deal, despite the fact that the boat is fun.

Cheers,

Bobby

[McMike]

C'mon, Mike - what's holding you back? After the kitchen tour-de-for e you must have enough brownie points built up!

No, unfortunately, after the better part of a year of tools, material, and dust sitting in her living room it would probably end our marriage.

[McMike]

Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it!!! There's a downside to this deal, despite the fact that the boat is fun.

Cheers,

Bobby

I hear you Bobby . . . I looks like you are making the best of it though.

[hokiefan]

All I have to say about this weekend is that planing plywood sucks. Almost as much as splinters.

Cheers,

Bobby

[switters]

Bummer, I have found that a pocket plane works best, but it is very dependent on the plywood. So what comes next?

[hokiefan]

Bummer, I have found that a pocket plane works best, but it is very dependent on the plywood. So what comes next?

I'm using a little block plane, which works fairly well. But I left too much extra and its just tedious. Took me until lunch today to dig out the splinter in my thumb that I got Saturday night. What's next, is one more night at this task, I'm about 75% done. Then flip it over and clean the glue squeeze-out from the interior. Outwales after that. Then sanding, priming, painting... the fun stuff.

Cheers,

Bobby

[MoMan]

Took me until lunch today to dig out the splinter in my thumb that I got Saturday night.

Yes, I enjoyed several of those; a couple went right under the nail. Damn that hurt!

Looking good Bobby!

[hokiefan]

Finally!!! A prediction that came true, the bottom is trimmed. Yeah!!!



So she's turned over so I can start cleaning out the interior.



Right now she weighs in at 25 lbs. Coming along nicely I think.

Cheers,

Bobby

[gstanfield]

Looking good Bobby! I am curious as to why the decision to change the building method? I'm not saying it was a bad decision, just curious as to your reasoning

[hokiefan]

Looking good Bobby! I am curious as to why the decision to change the building method? I'm not saying it was a bad decision, just curious as to your reasoning

The first one I built several years ago was with my son who was then 12. I picked this method to avoid the need for epoxy, since 12 year olds tend to wear what they are working with. I did it again for two reasons. First I'm familiar with it, second I despise sanding. So I'd rather plane the chines fair than sand epoxy fillets. The method is stolen straight from our host's Six Hour Canoe, substituting PL Premium for epoxy.

Besides that, since when can anyone build their own boat without changing the design at least a little bit???

Cheers,

Bobby

[gstanfield]

Sounds good to me! Like I said before, I wasn't criticizing your decision to change it. I was just curious

[SamSam]

If that's a motel room, you deserve a medal, a plaque and a trophy. Are you going to come back for the St Pat's Peeraid?

[hokiefan]

Sounds good to me! Like I said before, I wasn't criticizing your decision to change it. I was just curious

None taken :-)

If that's a motel room, you deserve a medal, a plaque and a trophy. Are you going to come back for the St Pat's Peeraid?

No motel room, a small apartment. My garage apartment in Jacksonville was better suited, with the tile floor and all, but oh well... Going to miss St Patty's Day this year. Going to go up to Savannah to celebrate the grand day?

Cheers,

Bobby

[SamSam]

Yes, that's the plan, but after standing in pouring rain for hours with a cast of thousands at the Daytona 500, I'm a little leary about outdoor events and large crowds.

[hokiefan]

She doesn't look a whole lot different, but all of the glue squeeze out has been cleaned out, and the frame ends and stems trimmed. The first outwale goes on tomorrow, don't have enough clamps for two at once. Another thing to notice in picture is the wide open door to the deck, it is absolutely beautiful here. 80 degf in Peoria, Ill on St Patrick's Day.



Cheers,

Bobby

[Sailor]

12degC, sunny with clouds in Shubenacadie. Boat progress- I brought the fasteners I purchased yesterday up to the drydock. About as visible as your glue cleanup but ALOT less work. Keep it up, I like this little build.

[hokiefan]

After 4 days of cleaning up glue squeeze-out I made another glue mess! The first outwale installed.



I'm sure others have figured this out as well, but here's a good way to preserve stuff in tubes like PL Premium construction adhesive, caulk, etc. Snip off the corner of a plastic sandwich baggy. Slip it over the open tip of the tube, wrap it up, then wrap with tape. I'm using a strip of duct tape because I have it handy, scotch tape works just as well. Duct tape is a bit easier to get off. I doubt this works forever but it certainly works from one weekend to the next.



Cheers,

Bobby

[Breakaway]

Cool. I think that's the first gunwale job pic on the WBF wherein each and every clamp matches!

Kevin

[hokiefan]

Cool. I think that's the first gunwale job pic on the WBF wherein each and every clamp matches!

Kevin

There's a reason for that! My bucket full of assorted clamps assembled over the years is sitting in my shed in Savannah. These green handled beasties fit the job and were on sale at Home Depot for $1 each. So thats what I have, other than the one 4" C clamp I bought last summer to do the brake job on my old car.

Cheers,

Bobby

[Lewisboater]

Make sure when you clamp the other side to check for distortion... a lot of times when doing one side then the other problems can crop up in that respect. You are progressing much more than I am...good on you!

[hokiefan]

Make sure when you clamp the other side to check for distortion... a lot of times when doing one side then the other problems can crop up in that respect. You are progressing much more than I am...good on you!

I tried to address that by having the 2nd outwale clamped on the other side with a handful of clamps when I glued the 1st one. Time will tell how that works out. Since the weather has warmed up, it has really made me push a bit more. I'm finding now that I'm waiting on glue to cure most days.

Cheers,

Bobby

[gstanfield]

Have you tried the PL Premium Advanced? It's a quicker drying version than the original and holds just as good

[DCBrown]

I've been pondering a build like this, when you glue on the chines,etc. do you spread the PL or just lay a bead? Thanks DC

[MiddleAgesMan]

Nice project and progress, Bobby.

I do something similar to open tubes of caulking/5200, etc. I use the taped outer covering like you did but add a screw stuck into the tip. That way if the stuff starts curing in spite of your best efforts you can remove the screw along with the hardened stuff and get right back to work.

You didn't miss anything here on St. Paddy's day other than the largest crowd ever. The media and organizers are claiming more than a million people but a more reasonable guess would be around 1/2 million plus or minus. Word went out Saturday night--do not drive into the downtown area 'cause there were already too many people and vehicles and there was total gridlock.

[hokiefan]

Have you tried the PL Premium Advanced? It's a quicker drying version than the original and holds just as good

No I haven't tried it. For me I'd be a bit concerned about the shorter open time because sometimes I'm slow working alone. But its something to file away as another tool.

I've been pondering a build like this, when you glue on the chines,etc. do you spread the PL or just lay a bead? Thanks DC

In this particular case the chine logs are very small, 1/2 x 3/4. So a bead down the middle works just fine. On another build where I used a 1x2 for the chine logs I either needed two beads on the big face, or make a squiggly bead. So far this build I've been pleased to get some squeeze-out on all sides, which is the goal.

Cheers,

Bobby