[Paddlewise] S&G open canoes??

From: Keith Wrage <keith.wrage_at_charter.net>
Date: Fri, 08 Apr 2005 22:27:33 -0500
Was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction regarding this:

I'm interested in building an open canoe.  I do not want to do a cedar 
strip boat.  Thinking more along the lines of plywood stitch-n-glue.  I 
would like the boat to be capable of tripping with portages in mind (BWCAW 
or Quetico) - so lightweight would be good.  Payload capacity has to be at 
least 550 to 600 lbs (I weigh-in at 250 myself!) and still maintain 
performance (lots of boats will hold 600 lbs but paddle like a flat-faced 
barge with that load).  I'm guessing this places it in the 17-18 foot range.

Ideally, the boat would be easy and fairly quick to build (S&G should make 
that doable) and have acceptable performance levels.  No, I can't define 
acceptable - but I guess I'm saying on par with say a Wenonah Minnesota 
II.  Since this would be a primarily a tripping canoe - tracking is 
probably more important that being able to turn on a dime.  As for 
simplicity of construction, I have in my mind to work with groups of jr and 
sr high aged kids to build boats and then do a trip into the BW/Q.  With 
the attention span and skill level of the groups, the construction needs to 
be pretty straightforward.

I'm wondering if such a craft exists (I know I'm not the first to want 
this) - and where might one find information/plans?

John Winters, I know you are the guru of small craft design and 
construction - wondering if you have some direction for us?  I also have a 
couple of others that I paddle with that are interested in building a 
simple S&G solo canoe for BW tripping so if there is a resource for that 
too - that would be great.

As always, it is great to have a resource of knowledge like PW.  It is sure 
a luxury to be able to pull up a log around this campfire and learn from 
the veterans!

Thanks,
K
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Received on Fri Apr 08 2005 - 20:27:39 PDT

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