A Slow Boat To Nowhere

[shipwright]

You never know Al, you never know.

[edflorence]

So, the good folks at Shopsmith decided to write a piece about this build. Here's the article. http://www.shopsmith.com/news_blog/the- ... s-sunroom/

I just read the article...congratulations! Glad to see you get the well-deserved kudos. Turns out your project was not only an inspiration to the followers on this forum but makes a pretty good testimonial to the powers of the Shopsmith. Thanks for all the posts during construction and looking forward to seeing photos of the boat on the water. By the way, have you named it?

[algale]

So, the good folks at Shopsmith decided to write a piece about this build. Here's the article. http://www.shopsmith.com/news_blog/the- ... s-sunroom/

I just read the article...congratulations! Glad to see you get the well-deserved kudos. Turns out your project was not only an inspiration to the followers on this forum but makes a pretty good testimonial to the powers of the Shopsmith. Thanks for all the posts during construction and looking forward to seeing photos of the boat on the water. By the way, have you named it?

Thanks, Ed. Yes, I named it:

FullSizeRender(7).jpg (249.24 KiB) Viewed 17981 times

It seemed appropriate.

[neal560sl]

Al, what in incredible job you have done. I've been so impressed I have been showing pictures of it to my wife as the project went on.

Great job!!!

[algale]

All I can say to the many positive comments is "Thank You!"

[charlese]

Wow! Finally got to the place you wanted to be when your slow boat was started. Remember back when you were puzzling over how much wood to buy and how many strips would be needed? Ain't progress wonderful?

What you may not realize is your woodworking knowledge has increased along with your crafting abilities to a much greater extent.

We all can say, without hesitation, -- Al Gale does excellent woodworking!

You never fear that asking questions about woodworking methods, or techniques shows lack of skills. This is another sign of a great woodworker.

Congratulations!!!!

[algale]

Thank you, charlese!

The other lesson I learned is: The bigger the woodworking project, the less the mistakes show in any photo taken far enough away to show the entire project! Let's call that Gale's Law.

[jsburger]

Here is an interesting article on two brothers who build wooden boats.

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/justi ... -brothers/

[algale]

Al,

Just out of curiosity, how heavy is the canoe? The yoke is designed to be able to pick up the canoe and carry it on your shoulders as you know. Is that actually possible or is your canoe too heavy to carry any distance?

I was stationed in Quebec Canada at CFB Bagotville with the Air Force from 1980-1984. I hunted moose with a Canadian friend every year and even went back every year when I returned to the States until the first Gulf war in 1990. We had a 14" Cedar and canvas canoe that was hand built by the Tremble brothers in Jonquiere Quebec. It was truly made to portage, very light. The portage yoke was thinner and wider than yours and made from maple as were the seats. It was also scooped out front to back to match the curvature of the shoulders and had a notch in the curve to accommodate the spine. The seats were caned just like yours and the top side rails were Mahogany. We spent 30 days in the bush every year and I portaged that canoe more times than I care to think in 9 years.

You should be very proud of your work. That canoe is absolutely gorgeous.

The hull (still not fiberglassed inside) seems to weigh nothing, but I won't know the weight until it is finished and I can find an appropriate scale.

The design says the canoe should be 65 pounds when finished. I made some design changes that will alter that. First, I have chosen to reinforce the bottom, both inside and out, with an extra football-shaped layer of glass, which will add weight. Second, my seats and yoke are about 1/4 thicker than the plans called for.

Nevertheless, I believe the finished canoe will be something that can be portaged -- at least over short distances.

Thanks for checking in.

Al

Well 65lbs certainly is not bad.

I finally got a hanging scale and decided to see just how much the Slow Boat really weighs.

To my surprise, it comes in at 65 lbs! I am surprised because, as stated above, 65 lbs is the specified weight in the book and I know I did a few things to make it heavier, specifically extra cloth (and therefore resin) on the inside and outside "football" area plus 1/4" thicker stock for the seats and thwarts (1" stock rather than 3/4" stock).

On the other hand, I do believe that instead of full 1/4" thick strips, I did go with 3/16" thick strips based on some advice I read. So I guess then thinner strips cancelled out the thicker seats/thwart and the extra glass/resin.

At 65 lbs I have successfully picked up and portaged the Slow Boat solo and it is manageable using good technique. With my 15 year old son helping, it is easy!

[jsburger]

Interesting. Give a little get a little.