Several wood and canvas canoes have come to life. Two canoes were built together in class. Later, on our own, the first two were built together with Sarah, while the following ones were built alone. Being able to combine the knowledge from the shipbuilding education and the construction of several canoes, I helped out others who took on the big task of building a wood and canvas canoe. Here are some pictures of the wonderful process.
All wood was sawn from slabs of wood. In the picture above the spruce planking is planed to a thickness of 4mm. The plane wasn't of the best quality so the wood had to be pushed and pulled through it. Afterwards the planks were sanded with a belt sander.
Drawing the middle line.
The ribs are steamed, bent and nailed fast on the inner railing. Especially the ribs at the ends are difficult because of the tight curve, several ribs tend to brake before finding a good one.
All the planks have to be handplaned to make a tight fit before they are nailed in place. The most interesting part starts from 4 planks down, when 4 planks start at full width in the middle but are reduced to a width of two planks at the ends.
Here the teacher Bo explains, he was one of the first to construct wood and canvas canoes in Europe.
Stretching the canvas. It should be tight but also not too tight, after a while you get the feel for it.
Good friends building a guide. This is a longer and more flat bottomed canoe than the prospector.
Middle thwart after applying the varnish.
The inside of the canoe is nearly finished.
