Cedar Strip Canoe Build

[newportcycle]

So thought I'd update progress. I've completed the exterior fiberglass lamination, and two filler coats. Also completed sanding through 60, 80, 100 and 120 grits on the fill coats (fortunately without sanding through the cloth). The fiberglass came out suprisingly ok, probably 6 spots less than the size of a pencil eraser where the resin was sucked out from behind the glass. I'm going to leave them, its a canoe, not furniture. I am suprised how easy fiberglass is to work with, pretty forgiving, can be frustrating but if you calm down and take your time it can be teased into about any contour. If it mess's up, sand it fair and start again.

I've flipped the hull over and stripped the forms, she actually looks like a boat now. Started scraping the interior, sanding will start tommorow.

Al, waiting to see some photos of that strongback.

[algale]

So thought I'd update progress. I've completed the exterior fiberglass lamination, and two filler coats. Also completed sanding through 60, 80, 100 and 120 grits on the fill coats (fortunately without sanding through the cloth). The fiberglass came out suprisingly ok, probably 6 spots less than the size of a pencil eraser where the resin was sucked out from behind the glass. I'm going to leave them, its a canoe, not furniture. I am suprised how easy fiberglass is to work with, pretty forgiving, can be frustrating but if you calm down and take your time it can be teased into about any contour. If it mess's up, sand it fair and start again.

I've flipped the hull over and stripped the forms, she actually looks like a boat now. Started scraping the interior, sanding will start tommorow.

Al, waiting to see some photos of that strongback.

I'm on a detour. Repairing some rotten rails and stiles on sliding porch doors. Once those are done it is back to the Canoe. Yours is looking good!

[algale]

Newportcycle:

Ran into something odd on the Waknabi plans. Put a straight edge against the baseline of the forms/stems and discovered the baseline isn't straight. Somewhere around the intersection of the line representing the common upright for forms 2 through 8, the baseline begins deflecting and is about 1/4 inch away from straight by the time you reach the end of the stem form. I suspect this means the stem forms won't sit flush both with forms 1 (or 9) and the strongback at the same time. Did you encounter anything similar? I've emailed the author, Gil Gilpatrick to see if he was aware of the issue (he already let me know about an error in forms 1 & 9 and sent a corection).

Al

P.S. Tried to PM you but the forum says your email is no longer good.

[berry]

Wow, what a great item to build. Looks like it will be done just about the time the lakes and rivers will freeze over. It should give you time to work on paddles. Do you have a purpose for the canoe? I mean will it be used for fishing or camping or???

[newportcycle]

Newportcycle:

Ran into something odd on the Waknabi plans. Put a straight edge against the baseline of the forms/stems and discovered the baseline isn't straight. Somewhere around the intersection of the line representing the common upright for forms 2 through 8, the baseline begins deflecting and is about 1/4 inch away from straight by the time you reach the end of the stem form. I suspect this means the stem forms won't sit flush both with forms 1 (or 9) and the strongback at the same time. Did you encounter anything similar? I've emailed the author, Gil Gilpatrick to see if he was aware of the issue (he already let me know about an error in forms 1 & 9 and sent a corection).

Al

P.S. Tried to PM you but the forum says your email is no longer good.

I dont remember anything being off and am having trouble visualizing what you are saying. When I set form 1 and 9, I set the bottom of the form flush with the cleat on the strongback, this left the stem down about 1" below the top of 1/9. When I was closing up the strips on the bottom I ended up having to really narrow up the stem to get the strips to lay right. Got a photo, that may help some. All this said, I may have made it work and been to stupid/stubborn to realize I was doing something wrong.

Old email hijacked, had to start over should work now.

[algale]

I dont remember anything being off and am having trouble visualizing what you are saying. When I set form 1 and 9, I set the bottom of the form flush with the cleat on the strongback, this left the stem down about 1" below the top of 1/9. When I was closing up the strips on the bottom I ended up having to really narrow up the stem to get the strips to lay right. Got a photo, that may help some. All this said, I may have made it work and been to stupid/stubborn to realize I was doing something wrong.

Old email hijacked, had to start over should work now.

I've already heard back from author Gil Gilpatrick and he said it won't make a difference whether I choose to correct the line or not. A few photos attached show the issue (base line bending away from straight edge):
[ATTACH]23100[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]23102[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]23101[/ATTACH]

[newportcycle]

Wow, what a great item to build. Looks like it will be done just about the time the lakes and rivers will freeze over. It should give you time to work on paddles. Do you have a purpose for the canoe? I mean will it be used for fishing or camping or???

It probably wont be ready until the lakes un freeze at the rate Im going. Havent made much progress lately. Im getting side tracked now to do just as you suggested, Im making some paddles for my sister and her husband as christmas presents. I'll try and get some photos posted when I get started.

As for purpose, I no longer fish, dont hunt, and shun most exercise, but I'll put a small motor on it and keep it at camp. It really started after I made some cutting boards with my grand kids last year, they were so impressed that they could make something as nice as you can buy at a store I got an idea that we could do a little more sophisticated project, the canoe idea was born. They've been helping on and off all summer, no serious woodworking, but they put on strips, put on the glue, sanded as long as they could stand it. They will be helping put the glass on the interior and with the final wood work early next year. They love it and are looking forward to doing their own paddles.

[newportcycle]

I've already heard back from author Gil Gilpatrick and he said it won't make a difference whether I choose to correct the line or not. A few photos attached show the issue (base line bending away from straight edge)

Well those photos point out exactly why I probably didnt have an issue, I was no where near that accurate. I bunched together some carbon paper on
luan, dropped the plans on and traced away, cut things on the band saw, taped them together and went for it, I did sand the forms to the line as a pair. My forms were probably off some here and there, but with the amount of fairing you do during the sanding phase I dont think it will show..

[algale]

Well those photos point out exactly why I probably didnt have an issue, I was no where near that accurate. I bunched together some carbon paper on
luan, dropped the plans on and traced away, cut things on the band saw, taped them together and went for it, I did sand the forms to the line as a pair. My forms were probably off some here and there, but with the amount of fairing you do during the sanding phase I dont think it will show..

LOL! Sometimes I get bogged down worrying about stuff like this which is why you will be done long before I am!

[newportcycle]

LOL! Sometimes I get bogged down worrying about stuff like this which is why you will be done long before I am!

Not bogged down at all very legitimate concerns. Keep those photos coming.