Main Discussion Area > Primitive Skills

Thinking about a canoe

<< < (4/7) > >>

bubbles:
The process is described in one of the "naked in the wilderness books" I think. Can't remember if its the first or 2nd.

lostarrow:

--- Quote from: Scallorn on January 27, 2014, 12:32:38 am ---Unfortunately I'm too far north for cypress trees. but pine is common around here. The biggest problem for me is figuring out how to move a log that size back to my house. I had a great idea for a cheap sealant when the boat is finished. Cooking Oil!!! I'm going to buy a few big jugs of it and paint it on with a brush. :)

--- End quote ---

 The cooking oil will likely go rancid and start to smell quite bad. Makes a very good bait for bears however! ;) I'm not sure if you have a problem with bears where you are, but I've seen them rip the  boards off of a wood shed wall to get the used cooking oil  inside.( city man moved to the country,neighbour of my folks).  I'm just passing on some info , of course .

   I've also seen where holes were drilled from the outside after it was shaped. The holes were small  3/8" or smaller ,strategically placed and they were plugged with coloured pegs of precisely the length that corresponded with the wall thickness desired,+ a little for finish shaping. Something like walnut would contrast well with pine.  When you  are shaping the inside , and come to the peg, you know exactly how thick the wood is. Make sure you keep it in the shade to slow the drying. Cracking will be your worst enemy. Seal the ends right away.

Good luck with the canoe.!

NeolithicMan:
On a documentary call "Happy People" a master boat builder hollows out a log and heat bends it into a sweet shape. cant find it right now but it is WICKED kool!

Zuma:

--- Quote from: Mohawk13 on January 27, 2014, 01:51:48 am ---You are going to need a small Navy or a strong dollie to move that canoe. 25-30 feet, even hollowed out will tip the scales close to 500 LBS...Might want to start small and work your way up. How many people are going to be helping?

--- End quote ---
I am with Mohawk. !6 feet perhaps, add outriggers untill you get the hang of it.
Convection (wind is not good for drying). You may want to consider covering the canoe with a tarp with buckets of water under the tarp also. Slow dry. The hole drilling may help with cracking and provide space for the wood to shrink into.?
I wonder if fire hardining the interior helps cure the wood?

Scallorn:
I might cut it down to about 20-25. I will have a group of five that will all want to be in the canoe with me, so I'm sure all 5 of us could lift it. and i want it to be long enough that all five can sit in it and it still float. i guess cooking oil is out. what would y'all recommend for finish? Btw, the depth peg idea is awesome! I would have never figured something like that out ;D

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

[*] Previous page