The Free Boat Plans Blog » Canoe Plans

Anybody have plans for a 10'-11' pack canoe made of wood?

admin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:52:02 +0000

My dad made a 16' cedar strip canoe.

It is beautiful, light, and quiet on the water. I know there are books available at Barnes and Noble or Borders, but I know he just created the form and learned how to fiberglass finish the outside.

Good luck!

has anyone ever built their own woodstrip canoe?

admin — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:44:04 +0000

I was thinking about buying a canoe, then i saw some plans at Barnes and noble to build your own woodstrip canoe or birchbark canoe.I was wondering if anyone has ever done this and how much would it cost and if it was actually a good looking boat that works. I already have a bunch of woodworking tools so if you could tell me how much only the wood itself would cost or is it just cheaper to buy one?

I can't tell you specifically about building a "canoe". I have done a few but so long ago, I couldn't help you with costs…

But I have built dozens and dozens of boats and even building one now… and my feeling about boat building is this:

Can you save money? Yes, you can save alot – if you really want a top quality boat.
Can you buy cheaper – Yes, if you are satisfied with a cheap boat.

But if you really want a "sharp looking – head turning – top quality custom-made boat… Yes, you can build it for alot less than you can buy… and of course, the bigger the boat, the more you are going to save, because most of what you save is labor…
What you really gain in building your own… is a "better" boat then you can buy… and that is really the whole purpose of doing it yourself.

You need to check out this link:

http://www.glen-l.com/

They are really great people and they have canoe plans to build – as well as most any other type boat you can think of to build.
I am suggesting you visit their site only because they have a really good and very informative "website" – whether you buy anything from them or not… their website is worth the trip just to see the beautiful boats they and their customers have built.

They have current up to date estimates on time and materials to build their boats… and they offer "study plans" with full Bill of Materials…

At their site, you can also see the different build processes with progressive build photos… plus they have the largest customer base and largest "customer" photos, links, and forums as I have ever seen…
If nothing else… their site will keep you enthusiastic over your project…

Happy and Safe Boating…
PS.
I don't know about the plans you saw at Barnes & Noble… but let me just mention, If you buy the book… who do you call when you run into trouble? The Author? The Publisher? or Barnes & Noble? (Just something you should think about… )

Do you canoe back upstream to your vehichle?

admin — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:39:03 +0000

I am planning on buying my first canoe very soon and I have some odd questions.

Once you paddle downstream, how do you get back to the car?
If I have in registered in Ohio can I still take it to other states?
What are the best buys for the money?
Where are the best places to go for day trips in Ohio? Surrounding states?

Thanks in advance!!!

The river process you speak of is the shuttle. There are many ways to accomplish the shuttle. In some area, an outfitter will do this for a fee or it will be included with a canoe or kayak rental. It's also common to meet up with other folks and agree to take a car to the end, agreeing tha that car will in turn take someone back to the beginning. I've also driven a bike down to the take out so one person can bike back to the car.

If you have a group with more than one car, you can of course do your own shuttle.

Check online for more rivers online. I know there is a book of Ohio rivers as well.

Generally speaking, most states have registration reciprocities with other states, so as long as you have a valid registration sticker you are probalby okay. The big problem occurs when you are in a state with no registration, but take your canoe to a state that requires registration.

As far as materials and kinds: I'd go with Kevlar for canoe expeditions where I need to portage the canoe, for white water or bumpy creeks I'd go with a plastic such as Royalex. I think aluminum canoes can represent some of the best values around. Taken care of they will outlast plastics and can be purchased used at great deals. Grummans and Alumacrafts are a few good aluminum boats. Some dings, etc are fine – some things to check are: any broken or fractured ribs or keel. A sprung keel (big bend) and see if either the stern or bow compartment are holding water.

In our program we use plastic canoes and I recently swtiched from Old Town to wenonah, mostly for reasons of customer service. Both make great canoes. Stay away from coleman canoes. For kevlar, I'd probably select Wenonah or Bell.

Looking for a site for building cedar strip canoes,plans,how to,ect..thanks?

admin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:45:04 +0000

http://www.howstuffworks.com

it has more related thing and demo video for view

How do I tie down a canoe?

admin — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 12:34:03 +0000

I have a Ford Ranger (a small truck) and I am planning on buying a 17' canoe. I was wondering if anyone knows of a good diagram or description of how I should go about tying it down so I can haul it around to the rivers and lakes and such. I'd prefer that it doesn't fly off when I'm on the highway. Thanks a bunch! Peace!

Easiest and cheapest? I use a framework made of metal fencing posts that fits down into the back end of the bed, and comes up to the level of the roof. That way, the canoe rides level, and just needs a tie down on the front, and you strap the rear end to your rear support. A thick blanket prevents scratches from the canoe riding on top of the truck.

Where is a good place to rent a canoe and then go on a canoe ride within an hour of chicago?

admin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:33:25 +0000

I am looking to plan a canoe trip by the end of July, and i want to know, where is there a place that i can rent a canoe ( with life preservers, paddles, etc.) for the day at a place where they'll do somthing like pick you up at the end of the route and drive you back to the car. My current option is at the following website http://www.reedscanoetrips.com/trips.htm…
(Canoe trips on the Kankakee River in Northern Illinois with Reed's Canoe Trips) The only problem is it's about an hour and a half away from my northern suburb home in the chicagoland area. If anyone knows a closer place please please let me know!

The Discovery Center in the northside has these trips. Their events range from classes to trips and seminars.

Trips include white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, water skiing, etc.

the website follows, enjoy

I need plans for a model dugout canoe for my son.?

admin — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:28:11 +0000

It's a project for his 4th grade social studies class. We've bought a hunk of basswood for this, but we'd like to get some idea of where to start.

Check out this site it has a very good written instruction for your project. www.motherearthnews.com/green_home_building/

What should I bring on a 3 day canoe/camping trip?

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:24:03 +0000

My boyfriend and I are going on a 3 day canoe trip and plan on setting up tent along the way. I've been camping and canoeing before but never together. I was wondering what foods would be best to bring and all the limited amount of materials we will need to fit in the canoe with us. I tend to over pack so I really appreciate all the advice!
Thanks!

Clothing:

You can save a lot of space by dressing and packing appropriately instead of bringing a lot. You choice will depend largely on the weather, but basically bring:

Rain/wind coat
sun hat
sunglases
warm hat if cool
Insulation layer if cool – such as polar fleece – stay away from cotton!
2 t-shirts
shorts – nylon prefered
wear a swim suit instead of underwear – or just nylon shorts
long wind/rain/mosquito protection pants if needed (Again avoid cotton)
Shoes and socks that can get wet such as canvas sneakers.

You don't need to bring spare jacket, insulation layers, etc. Bring a second pair of shoes and socks to wear around the campsite and changes of underwear or what ever, maybe second t-shirt. Rain pants, polarfleece, etc can be rung out if wet and be almost dry. Again, stay away from jeans, sweatshirts, etc which get heavy and miserable when wet.

General equipment

Canoe
paddle per person and a spare
PFDs (lifejackets) – note can be worn for warmth too, work as pillows
packs
sleeping pad
sleeping bag
tent (maybe with ground cloth)
lighter/matches
cook kit
basic utensils
Tarp – optional, but nice if it might rain.
Stove & fuel if you are not cooking on the fire
Grill may be needed if cooking on the fire
water purification system if no potable water available.
Rope – hang food away from animals, for tarp, clothes line
First Aid Kit
Duct tape and/or other needed repair materials
map, maybe compass
Flash light – (I prefer a headlamp)
dish soap, scrubby/sponge
Trowl, toilet paper
toiletries as needed
spare glasses if you wear them
water bottle(s)
insect repellant
sun screen

Don't bring – axes, saws, lanterns, coolers, etc. Your head lamp is plenty of light. You can break firewood with your hands and axes and saws cause many injuries and you don't need the space/weight.

Generally, I have one pack for equipement and food and a second for 2 people's personal gear. Duffel bags would work fine for a river trip with no portages.

Food:

I find one pot meals easiest for dinner

Mac and cheese – throw in some canned veggies,
Saghettie – Can add fried sausage and onion, mmmm
Burritoes – fry beans and ingredients – throw in a warm shell
Rice meal
Bring spices – this makes all the difference!

For lunch

Trail mix
crackers, peanut butter, jam, sausage, cheese,
snacks – chocolate, hard candy, candy bars, beef jerky etc
Hint – keep a butter knife with your lunch food

Breakfast

Hot cereal, pancakes (takes time), granola

Drinks: Coffee, tea, herbal tea, hot chocolate, kook-aid type drinks,

Cheese, summer sausage, onions, peanut butter jelly in ketchbottle type tubes all keep for days. Stay away from sausage that has any poultry or ham in it! There is no need to bring a cooler/refigerated items.

Hang your food at night to keep it away from the animals

Pack all food in ziplock freezer bags – git rid of original boxes. (Hint – squeeze out all air before sealing so they don't blow up in your pack)

Keep all your stuff in organizational bags and in your packs, not just loose in the canoe. Organize it where you camp, so you can find it and don't loose it.

You can help keep your sleeping bag dry, by either using water proof back or by using a kitchen garbage bag between it and it's stuff sack.

Anybody seen any plans on diy canoe motor mounts?

admin — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:22:01 +0000

http://www.ezbuildcd.com/canoe_cart.htm

Plans to build a rack to store my canoe?

admin — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:48:03 +0000

This is easy budd…. I would make your plans for u in a minute or two, but use wood, frame a rack out, just cussion the canoe with strips of carpet to prevent scratching