A Slow Boat To Nowhere Splashes!!!!!

[algale]

algale, I am very happy for you!!!! BUT a very traditional canoe and aluminum paddles??? Oxymoron IMHO.

You are so right! But don't look gift paddles in the mouth! Forum Member Jack Wilson gave me these paddles when I picked up the Incra 5000 sled from him and I'm very grateful because it might have taken me another year to finish the paddles!

I am sure with that canoe, you will make paddles to match!!!!
What is its length BTW?

It's sixteen feet.

[joedw00]

I bet that was a great feeling, looking good.

[davebodner]

The weather's been beautiful. I'm sure it made for nice unveiling.

[swampgator]

That canoe is absolutely beautiful anywhere, in the shop, on the car and on the water. Thanks for posting the pics and video. I love it when a plan works. It is absolutely beautiful.

Steve, the old gator

[algale]

Thanks for all the kind words!

There was something very satisfying about taking a canoe I built myself out on the water and finding that it was lighter and performed better than any canoe I had previously paddled (a small sample size, but nevertheless)!

After, when we got it back up on the car and were getting ready to leave, we could barely get out of the parking lot because several people came up to us to tell us how beautiful it was and ask about how it was made. Yes, I felt a great deal of pride!

Incidentally, does anyone remembers the "controversy" during the build process when I put the holes through the bow and stern for the copper pipe to hold painters? Let me tell you, those "fish eyes" came in so handy when we were securing the bow and stern lines to our car! I am really glad I did it although at the time my hand was shaking drilling those holes through that hull!

Now I have one little project left on the canoe. When I put the seats in, I was unsure of the height. I kept them pretty close to the gunwales to make it comfortable to sit in, but I was afraid that it might make the canoe too unstable. Since I thought I might be lowering the seats, I did not bother make the seat spacers that go between the seat frame and gunwale to hide the carriage bolts.

But based on our first outing, I'd say that my fear of instability was unfounded and the seat heights are perfect. So now I must make the seat spacers.

[charlese]

Congratulations, Al!
O.K., I'll admit it. I was thrilled to see those videos! Maybe even as much as you - well- almost as much!

[JPG]

Congratulations, Al!
O.K., I'll admit it. I was thrilled to see those videos! Maybe even as much as you - well- almost as much!

Me Too!

Not the first canoe to appear here.

The more interesting however.

THANKS!

[jsburger]

Then when you pull the paddle straight back turn it 30-45* clock wise (if you are paddling on the left side) and push out 90* to the side of the canoe. It only takes a bit of pressure depending how fast you are going forward. You can absolutely paddle a straight line without changing sides.

J-stroke?

I am not sure if there is an official name for it. My technique was self learned.

If you are moving very slowly and want to be very quiet (nature watching etc.) you can paddle without removing the paddle from the water for the next stroke. When you get to the end of the stroke turn the paddle so the blade is parallel to the side of the canoe and move it forward. Then turn it 90*, pull back turn and push out and repeat. You will not make any noise at all. Wood and wood and canvas canoes are very quiet to begin with. If you bump the paddle against them it is a very dull thud that is quite natural. Bump an aluminum of fiberglass canoe and you get a loud un-natural sound.

[shipwright]

Sweet boat Al, a living thing on the water. Only wooden boats have souls you know. :-)

You may have had some adventures getting here but they are all distant memories now I am sure. Another distant memory is obviously the "slow" part of her name. I suggest an amendment (with perhaps a little homage to Prince) to something more appropriate like "The boat (formerly known as slow) to nowhere.
Congratulations on your successful launch.

[Jack Wilson]

Looks like great fun, Al. Someday maybe I will get to try that baby out with you.