“Conservation viewed in its entirety, is the slow and laborious unfolding of a new relationship between people and land.”ALDO LEOPOLD
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Canoe Building.

Wooden Canoe Building is a traditional skill that anyone can learn and enjoy. This is our complete Canoe Building collection.

The Cedarstrip Canoe

After nearly a decade of building canoes and providing "how to build" videos, we decided to create a condensed short film that would provide a resource for anyone thinking of building or owning a wooden canoe.

Learn to Build a Canoe.

I actually had my start with making video for Youtube when I started filming some of the process of building a cedar strip canoe. You'll see when watching the canoe building videos that some are from an early time when my skills with a video camera were very beginner level. Still, these videos remain relevant and should help a first time canoe builder.

The canoe building videos presented below are listed in order of the building process.

How long does it take to build a Canoe?

One of the most frequently asked questions from new canoe builders is "How long does it take to build a canoe?"

In this short video Jason discusses what you can expect when building your own boat.

How much space do you need to build a canoe?

Aside from how long it will take, the next question new canoe builders should consider is how much space is required to build a canoe.

Many people have mistakenly begun to build a boat in their basement without considering how they'll get it out when finished.

Lofting Canoe Forms

Without question the easiest way to get started building a cedar strip canoe is to purchase pre-cut canoe forms. For those who choose to build their boat from a set of plans or a "table of offsets" this video shows how to Loft Canoe Forms.

Cutting the Station Forms

Whether you're building a cedar canoe from plans or from a table of offsets, one of the first steps is cutting out the station forms.

These forms will make up the backbone of your canoe form and so this is a very important step.

Building the Strongback pt. 1

A canoe is built on a type of frame, called a "Strongback." The strongback is an important part of the canoe form and helps ensure that the canoe is finished straight and true to form.

Building the Strongback pt.2

A canoe is built on a type of frame, called a "Strongback." The strongback is an important part of the canoe form and helps ensure that the canoe is finished straight and true to form.

Setting Up the Forms & Strongback

One of the most important steps in the building process is setting up the forms on the strongback.

In this video we begin to set up our canoe forms on our strong back with proper spacing and alignment.

Get ready to strip

With the canoe forms attached to the strongback we're almost ready to begin stripping our canoe.

In this video we take the final steps to ensure we're set up to build a nice canoe, true to form.

Building a Canoe without an Inner Stem

The majority of cedarstrip canoes are built using an inner and outer stem at both ends of the boat.

Some canoes are built without an inner stem, this video demonstrates this process.

A Tip for Stapling Cedar Strips

Most people start off their canoe building by stapling the cedar strips onto the canoe forms.

Even if you're planning on building a canoe staple free there may be times when a staple or two are necessary. Here's a quick tip for stapling your wood strips.

Building a Cedarstrip Canoe without staples

Building a canoe by stapling the wood strips onto the canoe forms will leave tiny pinhole marks in your woodstrips. It is possible to build a cedarstrip canoe without using staples. This video shows you one way how to do it.

Stripping the Bottom of the Hull

As you continue to lay the cedarstrips on the canoe forms you eventually come to the bottom of the canoe. There are several ways to layup the final strips, we prefer using a chevron pattern which we think is very pleasing to the eye.

Preparing the Hull for Fairing

Fairing the canoe is the step of planing and sanding the hull to get a "fair" shape. Before you fair the hull there are often a few steps that need to be taken care of first.

Fairing the Outer Hull

Before you start laying up your fibreglass cloth and applying your epoxy, here's a little tip to help you on your way.

Attaching the Outer Stem

Whether you're building a canoe with or without an inner stem, you can still add an outer stem to your boat for a tiny bit of extra wear protection at the ends and also for a design look.

A Tip for Applying Epoxy

Without question the easiest way to get started building a cedar strip canoe is to purchase pre-cut canoe forms. For those who choose to build their boat from a set of plans or a "table of offsets" this video shows how to Loft Canoe Forms.

Applying Fibreglass & Epoxy to the Outer Hull pt 1

Now's the time to lay up your fibreglass cloth with epoxy resin. It's this stage that creates the monocoque hull and the strength of your vessel. Part One of Two

Applying Fibreglass & Epoxy to the Outer Hull pt 2

Now's the time to lay up your fibreglass cloth with epoxy resin. It's this stage that creates the monocoque hull and the strength of your vessel. Part Two of Two

Attaching the Canoe Inwales pt. 1

One of the final steps in building your canoe is to install the inhales and outwales. We first install the inwales and then later the outlawed complete the process before installing the deck. Part One of Two

Attaching the Canoe Inwales pt. 2

One of the final steps in building your canoe is to install the inhales and outwales. We first install the inwales and then later the outlawed complete the process before installing the deck. Part Two of Two

Sanding the Inner Hull

With the Outer hull fibreglassed you can now flip the canoe over and begin to sand the inner hull. Once your sanding is complete a single layer of fibreglass cloth, saturated in epoxy will seal your woodstrips.

Trimming the Fibreglass Cloth

After finishing the fibreglass and epoxy on the outer and inner hull of your cedarstrip canoe, it's time to trim away the excess cloth. Be careful, the edges will be sharp.

Making Scuppered Canoe Gunwales pt. 1

The gunnels are the long hardwood strips that run along the edges of your canoe. Scuppered Gunnels are designed to allow a place for tie off points as well as a more convenient way to get water out of your boat. Part One of Two

Making Scuppered Canoe Gunwales pt. 2

The gunnels are the long hardwood strips that run along the edges of your canoe. Scuppered Gunnels are designed to allow a place for tie off points as well as a more convenient way to get water out of your boat. Part Two of Two

Tip for Bending Canoe Gunwales

Usually the gunnels are not that difficult to install, but this little tip will help you bend your gunnels making it an easier process, even with the compound curves of a canoe.

Wooden Canoe Paddle Repair

In this short video I demonstrate how to fix the blade of a wooden canoe paddle using West System epoxy.
 
 

Kayak Building.

After years of cedar strip canoe building, I decided to give stitch and glue boat building a try. Chesapeake Light Craft agreed to sponsor my project and provided me with the kit materials in this video series.

The Shearwater 17 kayak is a very beautiful boat and combines stitch and glue construction with wood strip building.

How to Build a Wooden Kayak

Introduction: In this video Jason discusses what's required to begin building the Shearwater 17 hybrid stitch and glue kayak from Cheasapeake Light Craft.

How to Build a Kayak.

I believe this is a great building system for new or experienced canoe or kayak builders. With a stitch and glue bottom hull and a woodstrip deck, the Shearwater 17 kayak is easy to build and allows some creative freedom when stripping the deck of the boat.

The kayak building videos presented below are listed in order of the building process.

Joining the Stitch & Glue Panels

In this video Jason discusses and demonstrates joining the Marine Grade Okume plywood panels which make up the stitch and glue component of the Shearwater 17 hybrid kayak.

Preparing to Stitch the Panels

In this video Jason discusses and demonstrates preparing to stitch the Okume panels of the stitch and glue component of the Shearwater 17 hybrid stitch and glue kayak.

Stitching the Kayak Hull

In this video Jason discusses and demonstrates stitching the Okume panels of the stitch and glue component of the Shearwater 17 hybrid stitch and glue kayak.

Preparing to Fibreglass the Inner Hull

In this video Jason discusses and demonstrates whats required to prepare to fibreglass the inner hull of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Kayak.

Fiberglassing the Inner Hull

In this video Jason fiberglasses the inner hull of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Kayak.

Fiberglassing the Outer Hull

In this video Jason fiberglasses the outer hull of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Kayak.

The Cedar Strip Deck

In this video Jason begins to strip the cedar strip deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak.

Stripping the Deck pt. 2

In this video Jason continues to strip the cedar strip deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak and explains how to build a staple free kayak.

Preparing to Fiberglass the Deck

In this video Jason continues building the kayak and prepares to fibreglass the cedar strip deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak.

Fibreglassing the Underside of the Kayak Deck

In this video, Canoe Builder and Outdoorsman Jason Eke fibreglasses the cedar strip deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from Cheasapeake Light Craft. Once finished he then prepares the hull of the kayak for assembly.

Joining the Deck to the Hull

In this video, Jason joins the cedar strip deck to the stitch and glue hull of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from Chesapeake Light Craft.

Fairing the Kayak Deck

In this video Jason fairs the cedar strip kayak deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak.

Fibreglassing the Deck

With the deck of the kayak faired, Jason applies the fibreglass and epoxy to the kayak deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from Chesapeake Light Craft.

Building the Kayak Coaming

In this video, Jason builds the kayak coaming of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from.

Installing the Kayak Hatches

With the deck fibreglassed and the coaming installed, Jason builds the kayak hatches of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Kayak.

The Final Coat of Epoxy

In this video, Jason prepares to apply the final coat of epoxy of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from Chesapeake Light Craft.

The Final Coat of Epoxy

In this video, Jason applies the final coat of epoxy to the cedar strip deck of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak.

Varnishing the Kayak

In this video, Jason sands the hull in preparation and then varnishes the Shearwater 17 hybrid kayak.

The Final Steps

In this video Jason finishes the hatch assembly, installs deck lines and the seat of the Shearwater 17 hybrid Stitch and Glue Cedar Strip Kayak from Chesapeake Light Craft.
 

Overnight With The New Kayak

This was my first solo kayaking adventure of the year, and the first time I was taking my new boat out on an overnight trip. In fact, aside from a short test paddle the week before, this was the first time I had really been out in a kayak in almost 20 years!