Cedar Strip canoe build

[Dovetail]

Looking good Bill I bet the sanding of the outside will be like a walk in the park compared to the inside an investment in a few shaped cabinet scrapers will be a good thing perhaps, they can be a bit of a fiddle to sharpen correctly but when working right are just great apart from burning ones thumb at times.

 

 

No its not looking good its beautiful

Edited March 30, 2013 by Dovetail

[Bill]

Looking good Bill I bet the sanding of the outside will be like a walk in the park compared to the inside an investment in a few shaped cabinet scrapers will be a good thing perhaps, they can be a bit of a fiddle to sharpen correctly but when working right are just great apart from burning ones thumb at times.

 

 

No its not looking good its beautiful

 

Many thanks for the nice comments.

 

I've got a couple of nice sharp variable curve scrapers for the inside. I tend to tape them up and make a sort of handle as I do get cramps in my fingers when doing lots of fiddly bits.

 

I'm going to try and build a convex bottom plate (rubber) and make my 1/3 sheet sander do some of the work but I'm sure there will be enough scraping to keep me busy. As the insides are on the inside of the curve (not explaining this very well) the joints are pretty tight so (I'm hoping) the job should not be too onerous.

[Bill]

All the outside rubbing down is now done, draped in woven glass ready for the resin to go on.

 

 

Just waiting for the temperature to go up a little to ensure a crystal clear layup. Getting quite exited now.

[Chris Pink]

What's with the GRP Bill? Is the cedar construction not strong enough without if?

[Bill]

What's with the GRP Bill? Is the cedar construction not strong enough without if?

 

Nope, the cedar on its own (only 5mm thick) and my foot would go straight through. The GRP on the inside & outside form a cedar sandwich which is very strong and light. Once the resin goes on the cloth becomes transparent so it looks like wood rather than plastic. 3 coats of resin (1 wet out + 2 fill coats) and then it gets sanded smooth again prior to 3 coats of varnish. Then I have to do it all again on the inside.

[Chris Pink]

Bit like home made Formica then?

 

I'm glad you can still see the wood. It's such a work of art.

[Bill]

1st couple of coats of glass now on, brings out the colours of the wood.

 

 

2 more coats of epoxy, then a rub down to flatten it all ready for the varnish.

Edited April 21, 2013 by Bill

[RLWP]

Oh my, that is very beautiful

 

Any chance of a photo from a distance?

 

Richard

[DHutch]

Ive just dropped in on this having seen it in the 'new content' search. Very nice indeed, cracking little project. It was only ply on a softwood (douglas fir) frame but wetting the glass cloth through when making the wheelhouse roof for Emilyanne was very satisfying indeed.

 

I have a pipe dream of building a wood/epoxy composite powerboat which would most likely be strip plank, if slightly rougher construction, I dont know much about it yet, but maybe 1*1inch a straight cut for the most part, painted with self colored deck.Just need the to be in the position of having the time and money and im there!!

 

 

Daniel

[BlueStringPudding]

That's beautiful Bill.

[Bill]

Oh my, that is very beautiful

 

Any chance of a photo from a distance?

 

Richard

 

Will do in a day or so, just moving things around in the garage to make some more space. Stupidly stashed all the gardening stuff where it is hard to get at, now the grass is growing and things need trimming I need access to the tools.

[Grace and Favour]

Bill - - she's a stunning build, Squire

[Bill]

Oh my, that is very beautiful

 

Any chance of a photo from a distance?

 

Richard

 

As requested.

 

 

Now got to rub the whole lot down to make it smooth again

[RLWP]

Oh my, that is very, very beautiful

 

Richard

[Chris Pink]

is it not? A truly truly beautiful piece of work.

[ditchcrawler]

I would love one

[OldPeculier]

Very good indeed.

 

I did a strip canoe about 10 years ago but my effort was poor and although it floated ok it looked dreadful and did not last long. They are simple, but that does not make them easy to build.

 

So good on you for producing this beauty.

[Bill]

Been away boating so not much progress, will be even less now the river fishing season has started. Managed to give the outside one last fine coat of epoxy. Not rubbed down yet as it will get marked while I'm rubbing and glassing the insides. Once the insides are done I,ll go over the outside again prior to varnish.

 

The boat is now rightside up and I've started to rub down the inevitable glue runs to get all fair and ready for glass. Not as onerous as I thought it would be and have not had to resort to scrapers yet (one or two glue nuggets will need it though).

 

 

I'm going to attempt to get all the insides done (well prepped for glass) by the end of the week, may get the glass on but who knows (very hot and sticky at the moment so I may have to stop for a beer or two). Its amazing how a few weeks off takes all the strength out of your arms, half an hour rubbing down and I'm knackered.

 

[Chris Pink]

Stunning. Truly beautiful curves.

[mattlad]

Bump!

 

Any progress? Does it float?

 

Any on water photos please?

[Barry]

Yes please. Its a very intriguing project