The unique thing about our Skin on Frame Canoe Building System is that uses a mathematical formula rather than a strongback and mold to determine the sizing and shaping of the canoe. So rather than being a plan for a single canoe, it’s a plan for hundreds of different canoes just depending on how you run the numbers.
Of course this doesn’t mean that every canoe will be a good canoe, so it’s been a slow process of trying different sizes to see what works. Many people choose to go the safe route build sizes that we have already tested, but some people strike out on their own to try a new size.
This 16’6” long 36” wide tandem was built a few years ago by Rory in Vancouver, BC back when we were just starting to make doubles with the system. I wasn’t sure at the time that the system would work well for tandems, but we’ve had enough successful tandems now that I feel good about it.
This canoe is also interesting, because Rory built it entirely from yellow cedar, including the ribs. This requires green yellow cedar for the ribs which is a bit hard to come by, but definitely works if you have a source.
Rory uses the canoe with his wife and daughter for camping trips in British Columbia. He says he feels like the maximum optimal load is 450 lbs although it can handle more. Props for the hand caned seats, having done that once in my life, I’m too lazy to do it again! So far, Rory has built one of my canoes and two of my kayak designs.
I’m excited to see more tandems on the water this year including a 17 1/2 foot long 34 inch wide tandem that’s being built up in Yellowknife right now.
Send me your Cape Falcon canoe pictures and videos so I don’t have to keep boring people to death with the minutia of my pedal drive process!
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