Shopsmith Forums

Well done. Now the fun begins.

The second and third epoxy coats are done!

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Right now I'd describe this as "a beautiful 16 foot canoe": if you are standing 16 feet away it is beautiful. Up close, however, there are lots of runs, drips and other imperfections in the epoxy. I will have to trust that they will sand out and the varnish will bring back the clarity of the epoxy.

Up close the weave is a bit more visible than I would have hoped but there's nothing that can be done about that now. As Shipwright previously said it won't matter much when I don't have my nose two inches from the canoe.

I think that it looks great. Job well done!

Besides, when I am in a canoe I don't worry so much about how the weave looks as I do about whether or not the canoe leaks and do I have a paddle.

Wow! That is beautiful.

Absolutely stunning! Use it and enjoy it. You still have a standing invitation to bring it to our lake .....

Dick

Looks like it turned out to be worth all the pain.
Great work.
Now all you have to do is get it in the water. When you do a funny thing will take place ......... the up close quality of the finish will become a distant memory, trust me on that one.

Well done

Beautifully done. That should make for a few interesting journeys ! Any idea what the final weight is ? A wooden canoe has such a great feel to them. Aluminum and plastic canoes work well but there is somehow a different experience in a well made wooden one. Same goes for kayaks. Hope it gives you many great times on the water
Paul

masonsailor2 wrote:Beautifully done. That should make for a few interesting journeys ! Any idea what the final weight is ? A wooden canoe has such a great feel to them. Aluminum and plastic canoes work well but there is somehow a different experience in a well made wooden one. Same goes for kayaks. Hope it gives you many great times on the water
Paul

The designer of the canoe says it should be 65 lbs. I'm guessing this will be heavier because of my inexperience using epoxy and fiberglass.

masonsailor2 wrote: Aluminum and plastic canoes work well but there is somehow a different experience in a well made wooden one.

These days when we venture forth in small boats it is not for reasons of commerce or economic need but for reasons that are recreational, aesthetic and maybe even spiritual. And the boat itself is a major part of the experience. Being afloat in a wooden boat of your own making is uplifting and exhilarating. Congratulations on completing in style another step towards that experience. The canoe looks great! Thanks for all the pictures of your project.

Very nice. When do you get to test it out?