started a new project

[dale]

I started a canoe yesterday.  I'm building a Selway/Fisher Wren.  It is a 15'10" plywood stitch & glue canoe.  Not a big project but it should be fun when done (and fun to build).  This was my first time to loft.  Probably a good intro to it - not to complicated.  http://www.selway-fisher.com/Opcan16.htm

[Greg Luckett]

This will be fun to see the build and splash.

Thanks.

[dale]

I have my canoe stitched and just about ready for tape and epoxy. The canoe has some rocker in it. It is supposed to be flat out to within 3' of the ends and then have about a 1" rise at the ends. It's not much so I doubt I worry about it. The cross pieces are just wedged in but they are the correct dimensions of the width at those points.

[dale]

Trying to figure out this pic thing.

[dale]

the gunwales had a pretty good bend near the ends so I steamed them over the stove.  Here is my setup:

[dale]

steam setup:

[Charlie Jones]

looks like you got it figured ;D

[dale]

Canoe is all taped up and plywood epoxied.  Just need to do seats, a little finish work, fairing and she's ready to paint.  I'm going bright on the inside and a light cream on the outside.

[dale]

Here's inside:

[dale]

Just thought I might add - website listed this as an 18 hour project.  Anyone believe that?  I have 30 plus in her already.  Probably 20 left.  Still a lot faster than the dinghy at about 150 hours.  But then I was told making a boat into a sailboat doubles the project.

[Charlie Jones]

Looking really good Dale.

After you built three more, maybe that 18 hours would be doable ;D It usually takes longer than you expect, for sure.

[Greg Luckett]

My first boat was supposed to take an experienced builder about 20 manhours.  What they do not tell you is that you need to have all the materials on hand, all the special jigs and tools on hand, etc.  I do not recall how long it took in manhours but I quit counting around 100mh.  Just the learning curve alone sucked up a bunch of time; not that I regret any of it.

That canoe is very nicely shaped.  Thanks for continuing to post pics, etc.

[dale]

I have installed the seats and breasthooks.  Now it is just a matter of sanding, fairing, and painting and I'm in the water!

[Ken_Potts]

No fair!  You're not allowed to build a boat in a month when I my last one took more than 3 years! 

It's looking great.

[dale]

a little sanding a cleaning and I should be able to start painting tomorrow.

[dale]

Finished up yesterday.  She's not perfect but I think she'll do just fine.  I even picked up a pair of oars at Wally World (they'll be gifts for Father's Day from the girls).  Finish on them was rough but I sanded and sprayed them with some Helmsman.

[Greg Luckett]

Congratulations and fast work!

I enjoyed seeing the finished pics and look forward to the splash pics.

[dale]

Of course, you know I just had to get her wet.  Took a quick spin down to a friend's pond and put her in.  She's tippy just as I thought but then again, she is designed for a two-man crew.