Has anyone ever built their own woodstrip canoe?

Question

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?

Answer 1

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... )