A wood canoe is beautiful as it glides through the water. But, there is a special feeling of joy when you are paddling a boat that you built yourself. Manufacturers provide this by packaging knowledge and expertise into their wooden canoe plans to help the amateur boat builder to achieve his dream.
A canoe is moved by using paddles and can carry one or more persons. It is generally narrow with tapering ends. For long journeys, boats can be modified to accept sails or motors. While paddling, the paddler faces the direction of travel unlike a rowboat where he faces the opposite direction.
In the olden days, canoes were made by hollowing out tree trunks. Modern one are made by gluing strips of wood in the shape of the boat. They can also be made by attaching water proofed canvas on a wooden frame. There are other variations of these with different materials. These boats are quite light but strong and some of them look very beautiful.
It is not an easy task to build a water vehicle. Furniture can be easily built from kits by bolting pieces together using screws or nails but the sleek shape of the canoe has to be created meticulously by hand. It is designed differently for different uses. If it is to be used in calm water like lakes the boat tends to be flatter. If used to navigate fast flowing rivers, the boat is narrow with a keel to allow it to change directions quickly.
Anyone wanting to build a water vessel can order suitable Wood Canoe Plans from a manufacturer. These plans are a collection of drawings and photos to create both the framework needed to build the vessel as well as the vessel itself. The user can also order the kit along with the plan and all the materials are sent. One needs to first build a frame called the 'form' which is the inside contour of the boat. There are drawings of various cross-sections of it at fixed intervals called 'stations'. Each station is a wood piece that needs to be carved accurately. Maximum care is taken in creating and fixing each of these stations as the final contour is determined by this.
Once the form is ready, one can proceed to building the vessel itself. This is done by fixing narrow, quarter inch strips of wood around the stations and bonded with glue. Often the inner and outer edges of each strip have a bead and cove cross section which makes for tight joints. After all the strips are fixed, the wood is sanded to make a smooth surface. By choosing strips of various colors, interesting artistic effects can be created.
The boat surface is now given a layer of fiberglass. This is done by laying strips of fiberglass cloth and brushing epoxy resin on it. The fiberglass is transparent and the wood will be clearly visible. The boat is removed from the form and the inside is sanded and then given a layer of fiberglass. Other accessories like a keel or seats can now be added and the vehicle is ready for the water.
A fully finished canoe can always be bought at a cost several times higher. However, it will still not match the fun and satisfaction one will derive from making it by himself. Wooden canoe plans thus allow a man to unleash the little boy inside.
A canoe is moved by using paddles and can carry one or more persons. It is generally narrow with tapering ends. For long journeys, boats can be modified to accept sails or motors. While paddling, the paddler faces the direction of travel unlike a rowboat where he faces the opposite direction.
In the olden days, canoes were made by hollowing out tree trunks. Modern one are made by gluing strips of wood in the shape of the boat. They can also be made by attaching water proofed canvas on a wooden frame. There are other variations of these with different materials. These boats are quite light but strong and some of them look very beautiful.
It is not an easy task to build a water vehicle. Furniture can be easily built from kits by bolting pieces together using screws or nails but the sleek shape of the canoe has to be created meticulously by hand. It is designed differently for different uses. If it is to be used in calm water like lakes the boat tends to be flatter. If used to navigate fast flowing rivers, the boat is narrow with a keel to allow it to change directions quickly.
Anyone wanting to build a water vessel can order suitable Wood Canoe Plans from a manufacturer. These plans are a collection of drawings and photos to create both the framework needed to build the vessel as well as the vessel itself. The user can also order the kit along with the plan and all the materials are sent. One needs to first build a frame called the 'form' which is the inside contour of the boat. There are drawings of various cross-sections of it at fixed intervals called 'stations'. Each station is a wood piece that needs to be carved accurately. Maximum care is taken in creating and fixing each of these stations as the final contour is determined by this.
Once the form is ready, one can proceed to building the vessel itself. This is done by fixing narrow, quarter inch strips of wood around the stations and bonded with glue. Often the inner and outer edges of each strip have a bead and cove cross section which makes for tight joints. After all the strips are fixed, the wood is sanded to make a smooth surface. By choosing strips of various colors, interesting artistic effects can be created.
The boat surface is now given a layer of fiberglass. This is done by laying strips of fiberglass cloth and brushing epoxy resin on it. The fiberglass is transparent and the wood will be clearly visible. The boat is removed from the form and the inside is sanded and then given a layer of fiberglass. Other accessories like a keel or seats can now be added and the vehicle is ready for the water.
A fully finished canoe can always be bought at a cost several times higher. However, it will still not match the fun and satisfaction one will derive from making it by himself. Wooden canoe plans thus allow a man to unleash the little boy inside.
About the Author:
For quality kayak, small boat, and wooden canoe plans go to www.bearmountainboats.com. You also will find many kits and instructional DVDs at http://www.bearmountainboats.com.
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