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Post by WoodsWalker on Apr 4, 2005 5:36:16 GMT -5
I want to start building strong backs & get ready to build a couple of canoes, 1st I want to build a solo imediatley followed by a tanem or two. My goal is to have them done for next paddling season.
Could those of you that have built your own canoes make any design suggestions, both will be used on BW/Q trips along with local lake & deeper river travel, so it needs to be as light as possible. I am a big guy 265lbs & wide across the shoulders. I am thinking something around the 16ft length for the solo & 18ft for the tandem.
Please help me out, I want to get started ;D
Woods Walker
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Bannock
Wilderness Traveler
Posts: 56
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Post by Bannock on Apr 4, 2005 10:06:07 GMT -5
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Post by WoodsWalker on Apr 5, 2005 5:32:12 GMT -5
Thanks Bannock, the 38 special does sound like a possibility. You said you built one? How did it paddle & why did you get rid of it? Any pros & cons?
Still looking for a tandem.
Woods Walker
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Bannock
Wilderness Traveler
Posts: 56
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Post by Bannock on Apr 5, 2005 15:46:00 GMT -5
I thought it paddled great. No real cons to other than it was primarily a flatwater/lake boat. However, I did have it on the Root River and it preformed fine. If the water is deep enough so you don't bottom out, it should work fine.
The reason(s) I got rid of it had nothing to do with the design. There are a bunch. Here are a few.
It was the first canoe I built and so I learned plenty on it. I made the decks pretty large and out of 3/4" stock. The gunnels were made out of oak strips that I laminated to 3/4" thickness. My first attempt at building seats. My first attempt at building thwarts.
The worst was I messed up the glassing at the ends (inside) and so decided to enclose them. So I built bulkheads. Again too thick. Also I filled the bulkheads with foam. Did you know that even though foam is lighter than water, it is not lighter than air? I learned that if you have a bulkhead, air is the best filler.
I paddled it for two seasons. It worked well though a bit heavy. I was anxious to build another canoe, so I sold it.
The next canoe was a design from Canoe & Kayak Magazine. The model is called "Tradition". Tandem. 17'. 33" wide. I liked that canoe a lot, too. A nice BWCA boat. Sold that one, too.
It just got to be I didn't like paddling the strippers. I always felt I had to be too careful with them. I like building them though, but all the canoes I currently own are royalex.
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Post by WoodsWalker on Apr 6, 2005 5:33:26 GMT -5
Thanks again Bannock.
Sounds like some good reasons to sell them. I am really considering the 38, I was hoping I would get a few more suggestions to ponder. My biggest fear is building one & not liking it. I do plan on getting down to Beaglefurs to paddle his.
Does anyone hear own a 38 special?
I will have to look at the Tradition 17 you mentioned.
Woods Walker
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Post by Dan L on Jul 19, 2005 12:47:26 GMT -5
WW,
This is getting old but...
Depending on the can of design you like, either traditional or modern, checkout the offerings by Bearmountain for traditional and Green Valley for modern.
If you want a more manuverability in your solo, checkout Winters Osprey, and plan on making it a bit longer.
For the tandem, if you want stability, the NW Cruiser at Al Gustifson's or Winters Quetico. If your more interested in a paddling canoe, maybe the Winters Winisk, and you can try mine if you want, but it's a bit tippy.
Dan
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