The canoe evolution continues with the latest full-size single blade canoes. Pictured is a 14’ long 29lb full size canoe next to an 11’ long 17lb pack canoe. Check out the YouTube channel for the latest video on the design evolution of these boats. Closing in on having plans and instructional videos ready for...
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There’s no substitute for repetition…
If you’re trying to design something truly good there’s no substitute for repetition, but with 11 canoes built in the last 4 months, one more starting tomorrow, and two more scheduled for the end of October..... I’m running out of room at the house!!...
Video: Bending in ribs for two full-size solo canoes
Bending in ribs for two full-size solo canoes for The Weight We Carry. Unlike the double-paddle pack canoes I’ve been working on up to this point, these are both longer and wider – meaning taller gunwales, thicker ribs, and more stringers. It’s a good opportunity to check the scalability of the build system I’m...
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Latest batch of the super simple canoe sails
The latest batch of the super simple canoe sails I’m developing. I make these out of a single folded sheet of 4 ounce Dacron. They can be raised or lowered in seconds, tuck neatly out of the way when not in use, and perform surprisingly well....
New canoe catamaran system
The catamaran system for the new canoes is simple, effective, and stores out of the way as floorboards when not in use....
Video: Nesting fit check
Nesting fit check. Dialed in the nesting spec on this last round of canoes so that the pair can be closer in width. Nested together these two total 35 pounds, full specs below. Video course shot, beta instructional videos and plans coming in October! Larger: 27.75″ wide, 11′-8″ long, 10″ deep, 18 lbs. Smaller:...
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Another shot, working on the motor mount
Another shot, working on the motor mount on the new catamaran outriggers. All the accessories for the canoes have been evolving to become really solid solutions. Of course, just as many have been thrown out completely. Starting the final hull design later this week....
Working on a new mount for an electric kayak motor
Working on a new mount for an electric kayak motor. I’ve been testing the Bixpy Jet on both the solo and catamaraned canoes. I can’t paddle as much as I’d like to due to ongoing health issues, and that’s made it important to me to explore options that might help people get out on...
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Testing a more traditional canoe seat option
Testing a more traditional seat option in one of the solo canoes. The seat itself will be removable, so it won't interfere with nesting multiple canoes together....
Back to canoes. Working on refining flotation, catamaran and seat options
Back to canoes. Working on refining flotation, catamaran and seat options before heading back into the shop for a final refinement on the overall shaping....
Canoe build 2: Skins and outwales on
Skins and outwales are on canoe round 2 (aka prototypes 6 and 7, but who’s counting?) Really interested to see how these paddle, and getting closer to a truly scalable rib measurement system. At least one more round of prototypes ahead, a few other variants, and then a final build to film the instructional...
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Canoe build 2: Ribbing action shot
Ribbing action shot. Stringers and keel get tied on today, then it’s oil the frames and get them out in this heat to dry. Working with adjustments on multiple variables in this iteration on frames, I already have a new list of changes to make, but it’s worth finishing out these builds to see...
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Canoe build 2: Second full set of ribs for the day, ready for the burn pile
Second full set of ribs for the day, ready for the burn pile. I'm getting closer to working out the rib length system for the new canoes. Another day, another hundred dollars of really expensive finely crafted firewood....
Canoe build 2: Developing rib length systems
Developing stable reproducible rib length determining systems is the hardest thing I do. Basically the idea is to identify a series of mathematical relationships between the width of the deck and the appropriate hull shape. When this works it means that you can completely rib the canoe perfectly in less than an hour and...
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So much in the production queue right now
So much in the production queue right now: just posted two more updates on the canoes to YouTube this week, including the sail test, with three more videos in the works including a walkthrough of this Greenland boat and a guide to kayak camping. And prepping for canoe build round 2....