Are You Building a Wooden Canoe?

Building a canoe can be an exciting project in which to show off your skills. The sense of accomplishment is amazing. Sharing the process with a child or friend can really add to the pleasure of it. There are a lot of resources for blueprints, tips, and tools to accomplish the project with. You can find books, videos, and websites that can provide all the information you need to get started. It is very important to take plenty of time to plan out the project. Everything needs to be ready before you start. Blueprints, materials, work space, and the like must be ready and appropriate for the project.

Canoes have many uses. They work well in lakes, ponds, and rivers. They provide the user with exercise and are environmentally friendly. Think about how you will use the canoe before choosing which style to build. Once the style of canoe has been chosen it is time to plan. You need the right space to begin the project. A garage or workshop is best because it keeps all the tools together and the canoe out of the weather. Be sure to make a place to have plans, books, and other resources where they can be easily accessed during the project.

Purchase quality wood products to use in for building. Canoe boards should be strips of wood that are all cut the same. Many places where wood is purchased will precut boards for a fee. This saves a lot of time and effort. Start by stripping the canoe. The mating points needs to be flush with the base boarding. This keeps all the subsequent boards evenly placed and prevent the formation of gaps. A good tip is to use bungee cords not clamps to hold the wood while drying. It saves time and does just as good a job. Once the canoe is constructed and dried the sanding has to begin. This is a time consuming project that must be done correctly. Plan on taking the time to do it right the first time in order to have the canoe turn out well. The hours partners spend on sanding can be a bonding experience.

To make things easier you could purchase a building canoe kit. They come with all the materials needed to complete the project. Complete directions are provided as well. This is usually a good choice for those building their first canoe. It walks you through the process in a step by step process. The kit is more expensive but can save a lot in time and frustration. Most canoe kits are appropriate for still water or gentle river use. Stronger moving waters require different types of wood and designs.

Another possible beginner project would be to take and old canoe and restore it. There is something about gliding across the water in a canoe that you built yourself that cannot be beat. The pride and sense of accomplishment is so fulfilling. If you shared the project with a child, spouse or friend it creates a special bond between the participants. The hours spent creating the canoe is only eclipsed by the hours spent enjoying it.