Don't be scared of building your own cedar strip canoe. Using the cedar strip/epoxy method of construction is a very easy and enjoyable project for the home workshop. The brief description that follows will indicate how easy and fast it can be and will dispel any worries you might have.
Only very simple techniques are necessary to build a cedar strip canoe. The whole process can be divided into 6 steps. As long as you are familiar with basic woodworking and have access to some tools and some space you can do it..
Step 1
Build a simple strongback to support the molds and create a centerline. I recommend using 2x6 lumber that is dry and straight. The idea is to fix two full length pieces together in a T shape, with the top of the T providing a base for the molds and the vertical part of the T providing rigidity and strength. Attach legs in a sawhores shape.
Step 2
Cut out full-size patterns on plywood or particle board for the station molds (you get plans to show you the sizes). You can use eitehr a jig saw or a bandsaw to do it. Next, cut the molds for the stems (the stern and the bow). Set up the finished molds and stem and stern pieces on the strongback at pre-determined spots (don't worry, I'll explain the spacing).
Step Three
Now is the time to make or buy the cedar strips that form the hull. If you make your own strips you will need a table saw, band saw or radial arm saw to rip the cedar strips from 1" x 4" straight grain, clear cedar boards. Putting a bead and cove on each strip will allow you to make a curved hull. You can purchase pre-made strips to skip this step.
Step 4
Bend the strips in place around the molds. Ther is no need to steam the strips. They bend quite well. The strips get glued to each other and nailed or tacked to the molds. Different types of glue can be used.
Step 5
Once all the strips are glued and nailed and dry you pull all the tacks. Scrape the excess glue off the hull. Sand the outside of the hull until it is nice and smooth. Lay the fibreglass cloth on the hull and trim it to make it lie flat. Apply the epoxy resin to the cloth. Put the outer gunwales on the hull to stiffen it up. Lift the hull off the molds and place it in a cradle. Sand the inside and epoxy it. Next, install the inner gunwales and the decks in the bow and stern.
Step Six
Build the thwarts and seats. Add any hardware that you want to use. Protect the hull with some spar varnish or some other UV protector. You're done, and the proud owner of a handbuilt cedar strip canoe.
Only very simple techniques are necessary to build a cedar strip canoe. The whole process can be divided into 6 steps. As long as you are familiar with basic woodworking and have access to some tools and some space you can do it..
Step 1
Build a simple strongback to support the molds and create a centerline. I recommend using 2x6 lumber that is dry and straight. The idea is to fix two full length pieces together in a T shape, with the top of the T providing a base for the molds and the vertical part of the T providing rigidity and strength. Attach legs in a sawhores shape.
Step 2
Cut out full-size patterns on plywood or particle board for the station molds (you get plans to show you the sizes). You can use eitehr a jig saw or a bandsaw to do it. Next, cut the molds for the stems (the stern and the bow). Set up the finished molds and stem and stern pieces on the strongback at pre-determined spots (don't worry, I'll explain the spacing).
Step Three
Now is the time to make or buy the cedar strips that form the hull. If you make your own strips you will need a table saw, band saw or radial arm saw to rip the cedar strips from 1" x 4" straight grain, clear cedar boards. Putting a bead and cove on each strip will allow you to make a curved hull. You can purchase pre-made strips to skip this step.
Step 4
Bend the strips in place around the molds. Ther is no need to steam the strips. They bend quite well. The strips get glued to each other and nailed or tacked to the molds. Different types of glue can be used.
Step 5
Once all the strips are glued and nailed and dry you pull all the tacks. Scrape the excess glue off the hull. Sand the outside of the hull until it is nice and smooth. Lay the fibreglass cloth on the hull and trim it to make it lie flat. Apply the epoxy resin to the cloth. Put the outer gunwales on the hull to stiffen it up. Lift the hull off the molds and place it in a cradle. Sand the inside and epoxy it. Next, install the inner gunwales and the decks in the bow and stern.
Step Six
Build the thwarts and seats. Add any hardware that you want to use. Protect the hull with some spar varnish or some other UV protector. You're done, and the proud owner of a handbuilt cedar strip canoe.
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