Just finished my 16 footer...photos

Eric,
Very nice job.

Thanks Phill

Eric,

very nice job! The gunwhale scarf and deck picture looks professional. Is this your first ply/epoxy job?

How does the canoe handle with you and your son? I'll be looking for something similar for me and my little girl in a couple of years so I am interested in how the boat works for you.

Nicely done Eric! How long, start to finish, did that take, in months, or hours if you kept a log.

Did you like the kit? Was it complete and were the directions easy to follow? I have been wanting to build something like that for a long time but have no woodworking experience since Jr. High woodshop, 35 years ago! No tools either, other than a jig saw, skill saw and drill. I've been looking at CLC and Pygmy kit catalogs for years but never had the time to actually do it. Now that I'm out of work for a while, I might have the time.

And word of warning about those seats. My Old Towne canoe has the exact same seats. After a year or so the cane will dry out and become brittle. One of my kids stood on the seat when climbing aboard and her foot went right through it. So tell your 6 boys NOT to stand on the seats, ever! Or at least put a boat cushion on it first. And did they come with the kit? I need a new one! I guess I could call CLC and see if they can sell me one.

Oh, and since this is Catsailor's Forum, you now have to build another one just like it, and attach them with beams, and put on a windsurfer mast/sail, then you'll be good to post, no worries. Or build a couple of small Amas, I thought I saw a kit for those somewhere too.

;^) But seriously, nice job.

Tim,
Sounds like you already have most of what you need. Just add a chisel, plane and pliers and you would have it.
Also it's good to hear that you did some woodwork at school.

I wish I had.

So when do you start?

Regards,
Phill

Phill, my 8th grade woodshop days are about 37 years behind me. I don't remember much from way back then, just that I didn't want to get my fingers too close to the band saw or table saw! Our crusty old shop teacher was missing one thumb from the band saw...but it was a great teaching aid.

I'm just waiting for you to come up with a pre cut wood kit so I can build a Blade using stitch and glue. ;^)

Tim,
The kit is on the way. I'm just waiting for a friend to finish making a CNC cutter to prototype the kit on.

Every time I turn my bandsaw on I think of a chap at our sailing club who had cut off both his thumbs. Even without his thumbs he could build beautiful boats.
I found him to be an endless source of good info when I was starting out building boats.
A most enjoyable time.

Regards,
Phill