It’s a girl!! 58 lbs., 16 ft.

[MoMan]

For those of you who vowed never to read my annoyingly-named, “Build-A-Bear, Mountain-style Canoe” thread, I have succeeded in reeling you in.


Don’t feel bad; it’s what I do for a living! (I write marketing literature).


But since you’re here, I have some good news: The build is done. It’s launched and that annoying thread is destined to be buried. And here’s some launch pix to satisfy that photo addiction we all share.











The double entendre is a nod to Monty Python, and the fact that the vessel is comprised of many small bits of wood. And of course, the sophomoric style of humor I am so fond of in my thread.
















Thanks for visiting!


--Mike

[Vernon]

Outstanding Mike, although I can't see your first two pictures.
Congratulations.

You likely want to paddle around for a bit, but...... What's next!

[hokiefan]

Well done! Enjoy yourself on the water, and THEN have some celebrator thinking juice.

Cheers,

Bobby

[Sailor]

There are a few pictures that aren't showing up. The ones that are showing show a beautiful craft. More pictures. As Tenner's thread shows, just because she's launched doesn't mean the thread ends.....

[MoMan]

OK, I'm just going to throw some more pix at this. I'm having WiFi network issues. May be some dupes.





A hint of streaking, but I'm no pro.







Although we didn't see any alligators today, my favorite suggestion on this sign is, "Don't try to catch one."

[Sailor]

And you put your boat in after reading that? You're nuts!

[Sailor]

Have you got any decent profiles of her? She seems to have a bit of rocker, I'm curious about how much. I recently read Bill Mason's path of the paddle and am considering a prospector if I ever do another canoe.

[MoMan]

Closest I have to a full, side on pic.

[Rich Jones]

Very nice. Enjoy!
Be careful with those rachet straps, too tight and you'll crush the boat.

[Vernon]

I came home from work and you had just posted this thread.
Made my day!

That really is just beautiful and I'm just tickled for you.

Vern

[MoMan]

... but...... What's next!

Well Vernon, I started planning the next project about two years ago. In fact, the canoe was always the first step of a larger project: a sailboat up to 18'. I've been shopping around designs and lurking on many threads. I decided a canoe would give me a taste of taking on a larger, more complicated and (likely) longer term project. I love the process. I sort of already miss it!


This summer, I am signed up to take Howard Rice's Small Craft Skills Academy here in TX in late July. I figure that will expose me to a whole host of different boats and build considerations.


Once I decide on a design, I'll start a build thread.

[timo4352]

Congratulations on a job well done!
Enjoy.

[JayInOz]

Congratulations Mike! Here's hoping she behaves as well as she looks Really enjoyed the build thread and learned a lot too- looking forward to the next one. JayInOz

[MoMan]

Thanks all!

Just got this pic off my wife's camera.

[WX]

Very fine job Mike, love the use of different timbers.

[almeyer]

MoMan, are those photos taken at Armand Bayou? I used to paddle my 6-hr canoe there, really nice place to spend a Sunday morning.
And congradulations on the launch, you did a beautiful job.
Al

[AussieBarney]

It's bloody gorgeous, mate, but I cant see the first two photos. Can you re-post?

[johnno]

Congratulations on a great job..enjoy the paddling!

[sailoar]

Is she interested in... photographs? Nudge-nudge, wink-wink? Say no more! Say no more!

-Eric Idle

[MoMan]

MoMan, are those photos taken at Armand Bayou? I used to paddle my 6-hr canoe there, really nice place to spend a Sunday morning.
And congradulations on the launch, you did a beautiful job.
Al

Good eye Al! Yes, we launched at Bay Area Park. Original plan was to launch at Mud Lake and paddle upstream to Armand, but little Mud Lake had whitecaps, so we drove to the more protected park.

[Canoez]

Congratulations, Mike! She looks good. Are you pleased with the way she handles in the water?

I think now that she's done, you realize that those times when things weren't the way they needed to be and you had the tenacity to go back and do them right that it was absolutely worth it. Nice name choice!

[Sailor]

So you're saying there's a bigger sailboat build thread in the offing? Great, I can't wait to not have fun again.

[MoMan]

Congratulations, Mike! She looks good. Are you pleased with the way she handles in the water?

I think now that she's done, you realize that those times when things weren't the way they needed to be and you had the tenacity to go back and do them right that it was absolutely worth it. Nice name choice!

As far as handling, I can't say for sure. Yesterday the wind was blowing at 25mph, so we really struggled to keep her nose directly upwind. It was a fairly short trip. Add to that the fact that Joey and I are novices, it really makes it hard to offer a proper analysis.

Yes, I now have a much better appreciation for what really matters, and why. A special thanks to you, Todd Bradshaw, Fitz and everyone else for the advice along the way, as well as the encouragement when I needed it. My canoe is definitely better because of it.

[JimD]

Nice job, MoMan

[Canoez]

As far as handling, I can't say for sure. Yesterday the wind was blowing at 25mph, so we really struggled to keep her nose directly upwind. It was a fairly short trip. Add to that the fact that Joey and I are novices, it really makes it hard to offer a proper analysis.

Yes, I now have a much better appreciation for what really matters, and why. A special thanks to you, Todd Bradshaw, Fitz and everyone else for the advice along the way, as well as the encouragement when I needed it. My canoe is definitely better because of it.

You're welcome. It was our pleasure - and fun to watch your build - particularly in the way you chose to present it.

[Sailor]

Agreed, you presented it in a very entertaining way. Now, hurry up and decide what you're building next, we'll all be on the edge of our seats waiting for Andy's antics.

[Fitz]

It is always great to see a launching! Sweet boat. You will be getting plenty of comments at the landings. Congratulations!

The old timers used to try and persuade novice paddlers to avoid a Prospector. It has some rocker and a rounded hull, so it can feel a bit tippy, but these are all qualities that you probably want as you become a more experienced paddler. Consider taking an instructional course, or there are plenty of videos on YouTube etc. The Mason Family has some great videos that you can find on-line or purchase.

I urge you to try solo paddling from the center of Knotty Bits. Kneel in the bilge and heel it over so you can reach the water. Learn a good J-stroke and C-stroke, etc. and I think you will be very glad you did. I have quite a few canoes, but I consider the Prospector to be probably the most versatile and fun to paddle. I love to paddle it solo empty or on a great trip loaded with gear.

Wind - Paddler's nemesis. Again, a bit of instruction can go a long way. There are ways to paddle into a blow, and they involve probably only slight differences in what you are already doing, but a bit of training goes a long way and can make paddling more enjoyable for both you and your partner.

Most people assume they know how to paddle a canoe - how hard can it be? But with a bit of instruction, the difference in paddling experience is like night and day.

Fitz.

[Sailor]

Bill Mason's Path of the paddle is a great read for some basic intermediate and advanced paddling instruction. I think it's a must read for anyone who wants to canoe.

[Ed Armstrong]

She turned out great! What happened to your wooden friends, though? They've been with you through the entire build, yet I get the feeling you didn't take them to the launching?!? OK, I guess that would have been a little weird.

I like the alligator sign, but isn't "don't let your pets near them" and "don't feed the alligators redundant"?

Congrats! You built a great boat!!

Ed

[esingleman]

How dare you flash your Knotty Bits like that!

[switters]

Congratulations! Great looking canoe, and I enjoyed the build thread more than I care to admit in public. Enjoy,

[Jimmy W]

Great job, Mike. I have been lurking and following your build thread from the beginning. I'm glad to see it in the water. It is a beautiful canoe. I have built a couple of stitch and glue plywood canoes and would like to build a stripper myself sometime.

[MoMan]

She turned out great! What happened to your wooden friends, though?

Thanks Ed! I was going to let Andy swim the anchor out but he refused to wear his PFD, so he had to stay in the car.

[MoMan]

I enjoyed the build thread more than I care to admit in public. Enjoy,

Thanks Switters--you made my day. I suspect you are not alone in preferring anonymity when it comes to my thread!

[MoMan]

Great job, Mike. I have been lurking and following your build thread from the beginning.

Thank you Jimmy. I just KNEW there was at least one lurker out there!

[P.L.Lenihan]

Well blow me wild and call me windy!! Ya gone and done it Mike!! Fantastic and very well done!!Hurray!!! Is that not just the absolute most incredible feeling in the world when you first plunk yourself down in a boat of your own making and put some distance between the shore and yourself? Cheeses! It's almost as good as sex!!


I hope she brings you and the saint you live with, much pleasure and many joys as you paddle her through tranquil waters various.


I also hope you are now nicely pumped and ever more confident regarding under-taking your next build.

You've got what it takes!!





Cheers!


Peter




P.S. Bravo to your chief mate Andy too......hang onto him for your next project

[MoMan]

Thanks Peter! Meeting you and touring your build was a major source of inspiration.

Well blow me wild and call me windy!! Ya gone and done it Mike!! Fantastic and very well done!!Hurray!!! Is that not just the absolute most incredible feeling in the world when you first plunk yourself down in a boat of your own making and put some distance between the shore and yourself? Cheeses! It's almost as good as sex!!


I hope she brings you and the saint you live with, much pleasure and many joys as you paddle her through tranquil waters various.


I also hope you are now nicely pumped and ever more confident regarding under-taking your next build.

You've got what it takes!!





Cheers!


Peter




P.S. Bravo to your chief mate Andy too......hang onto him for your next project

[P.L.Lenihan]

Thanks Peter! Meeting you and touring your build was a major source of inspiration.

Tell that to ya wife, ya neighbours, the dog on the street corner but you ain't foolin' anyone here...nosirree Mike.....as anyone who followed the build thread knows by now, the "major source of inspiration" was that good ole Texas Thinkin' Juice! Makes me thirsty just thinkin' about it, it does!

So.....what designs have captured the builder in you or do we have to wait for you to be suitably hydrated with some TTJ before you finally spill the beans and commit?



Cheers!



Peter

[Sailor]

Tenner, I must thank you for not mentioning my glacial pace.

[MoMan]

So.....what designs have captured the builder in you or do we have to wait for you to be suitably hydrated with some TTJ before you finally spill the beans and commit?

Well Sir, I've got lots of designs swimmin' round this addled brain o' mine. I'm nowheres close to making a decision (even though the likes of you recommends closing one's eyes and tossing some darts and getting started). I can tell you I am thinking about Welsford, Oughtred and Selway-Fischer designs. I do hope to have a design selected by the end of the year. But don't bet on it!

[P.L.Lenihan]

Tenner, I must thank you for not mentioning my glacial pace.

Bienvenue mon chum mais don't get too thankful...just wait t'ill summer gets ici an' I'll be hounding you ta launch her to clear the ways for your next build!



Cheers!


Peter

[P.L.Lenihan]

I do hope to have a design selected by the end of the year.

I do not mean to be rude nor to pry such,which can only reflect poorly on my upbringing, but may I enquire as to exactly which year we are so breezily referring to,Sir?

I applaud your choice of designers.A veritable ship yards' worth of designs to choose from. However, in the sage words of one dab hand,Master Simon Bates,"choice is the enemy of progress." I trust you will not fall victim to his dictum!



Cheers!


Peter

[MoMan]

Have you got any decent profiles of her? She seems to have a bit of rocker, I'm curious about how much. I recently read Bill Mason's path of the paddle and am considering a prospector if I ever do another canoe.

Hey Daniel--This one's for you. We hosted a little party yesterday to celebrate her completion, so I put her on the deck for everyone to stare at my Knotty Bits! Gotta love the stupid questions people ask:

Guest:"Aren't you worried about having it out in the rain?"
Me: "I checked the plans and it says it's OK to get your canoe wet."

We were supposed to participate in a big kayak/canoe race Saturday morning, but the weather didn't cooperate. A couple of days of steady rain, followed by a gusher overnight on Friday made the bayous too dangerous for novices like me, so they called off the race. I'm hoping they will reschedule, but due to a bridge construction project that will close off a section of the bayou for 2 months means they probably won't. So I'm still waiting for a proper day to really get a feel for how she performs.

[Rik van der Vaart]

Absolutely gorgeous she is Mike! I would bring along some baseball bat to ward off the gators trying to sink their teeth in her.

[Sailor]

She's a beauty Mike. I have access to station forms for a prospector. I think if I were to build another canoe for myself it would be a prospector. I don't see that happening though. I see this project as a step towards a bigger boat. Can't build a bigger boat if I build another canoe instead. Next is a plank on frame dinghy (catspaw) followed by..... we'll see. I hope you take more pics of her. Get her loaded up with gear for a trip and paddle her loaded. She'll handle very differently and it would be interesting to hear how differently. Let us know how much gear as well. She's the "workhorse of the north" so should be good for alot of gear. My Redbird is a "light tripping canoe" so won't carry nearly the gear yours will. Keep us up to date.
Daniel