Introduction: Building a Cedar Strip Canoe
A practical account of my experiences and a brief guide to building a cedar strip canoe. It includes links to stories of using the canoe for wilderness camping and fishing.
I also now have an instructable for a cedar strip kayak:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-Cedar-S...
for more information on the canoe see:
http://hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Bulding-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Basics
for more information on the kayak see:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Buil...
estimating epoxy costs:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-Estimating-the-Costs
estimating cedar strip costs:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-Estimating-the-Cost-of-Cedar-Strips
lofting:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Lofting-the-Plans
forms:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Making-the-Forms
stems:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Making-the-Stems
strips:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Cutting-and-Milling-the-Strips
stripping the hull:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Stripping-the-Hull
seats, decks,yoke:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Seats-Gunnels-Decks-and-Yoke
sanding and fiberglass:
http://hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Sanding-and-Fiberglassing
final details:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/_3v4wkz561vqja/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Final-Steps
using my canoe :
https://youtu.be/sERJws_TR34
Step 1: Gather Information – Getting Started
Read books about cedar strip construction techniques. Canoe Craft by Ted Moores, Kayak Craft by Ted Moores, Building a Strip Canoe by Gil Gilpatrick. I read Canoe Craft twice before I started the project.
Step 2: Select a Design
Determine what the boat will be used for, a canoe for the cottage, a canoe for camping and tripping, or a work of art just to look at hanging in the garage.
Step 3: Plans
These can be purchased from Bear Mountain, Chesapeake Light craft (www.clcboats.com) or a number of other sources. They can also be created from tables of offsets, using a process called lofting.
for more info on lofting: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Lofting-the-Plans
Step 4: Build a Construction Platform
A sturdy, level, long thin table needs to be built on which the canoe can be assembled.
Step 5: Cut Out the Forms
The outlines of the hull cross sections are drawn on sheets of plywood, particle board or MDF.
Step 6: Attach Forms to Strong Back
The forms are attached to the station blocks on the strong back with drywall screws, taking care to line up the centerline of the forms with the centerline of the strong back.
for more information on making forms: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Making-the-Forms
Step 7: Cover Form Edges
The strips will be glued along their edges and stapled to the forms. Some protection on the forms is needed to keep dripping glue from permanently sticking the hull to the forms.
Step 8: Cut and Mill the Strips
Use the table saw with feather boards clamped to the guide and table to keep the strip thickness uniform. A circular saw with a guide jig for cutting the strips is shown in the photo.
for more information on cutting strips: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Cutting-and-Milling-the-Strips
Step 9: Laminate the Stems
The strips used for the stems need to be steamed and clamped onto the stem forms then allowed to dry before gluing them together.
for more information on making the stems: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Making-the-Stems
Step 10: Attach the Inner Stems
Once the glue for the inner stems has firmly set up, they can be attached to the stem mold with a screw through the last hull form into the end of the stem and a screw through the other end of the stem into the stem from.
Step 11: Strip the Hull
Now comes the fun part. Start attaching strips to the forms at the part of the form closest to the strong back and work towards the center of the hull. The strips are glued together at their edges and stapled to the forms.
for more information on stripping the hull: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Stripping-the-Hull
Step 12: Trim Strips at Stems and Attach Outer Stems
Once the hull is completely stripped it is time to trim the strips flush with the bow and stern stems.
Step 13: Remove the Staples
Now all the staples are pulled, being careful not to dent the soft cedar. If a few staples are forgotten they will be found in the next step for sure.
Step 14: Plane, Sand, Sand, and Sand Outer Hull
The joint where strips meet at curves in the hull are a little squared off. These joints need to be planed to make the hull smooth.
Step 15: Fiberglass the Outer Hull
Fiberglass cloth is laid over the hull so that it extends just past the stems, then smoothed with a soft bristle brush. Epoxy resin and hardener is then applied to the cloth in small batches, working from side to side, in about 2 to 3 foot long sections. Three coats are needed.
for more information on sanding an fiber glassing : http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Sanding-and-Fiberglassing
Step 16: Remove Hull From Molds and Flip
A cradle must be constructed to hold the upright hull. Carpet scraps suspended from brackets attached to the strong back will work.
Step 17: Sand, Sand, Sand the Inner Hull
Now it is time for more sanding and scraping. Glue beads can be scraped away. Sand paper wrapped around a plastic bottle will help fit into the curves of the hull.
Step 18: Fiberglass the Inner Hull
Fiberglass cloth is laid inside the hull and held in place with clothes pins, then smoothed with a soft bristle brush. The cloth is just short of the inside stems. Epoxy resin and hardener is applied as was done on the outer hull. Only 2 coats are necessary.
Step 19: Attach the Gunnels
Gunnels are long strips of wood which are attached inside and outside to the top edge of the hull to give it rigidity when combined with the thwart.
Step 20: Attach the Seats
Seat frames are usually made of hardwood. Ash is typical since it is flexible, but other wood varieties will work. The seat pad can be made with chair caning, strapping or webbing, left over cedar strips, or plywood.
for more information on making seats, yoke, decks and gunnels: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Seats-Gunnels-Decks-and-Yoke
Step 21: Sand the Epoxy
Now you have a beautiful shiny new canoe! It is time to get out the sander one more time and make it look dull. Use a 220 grit sandpaper to rough up the surface, both inside and out.
Step 22: Varnish the Hull Inside and Out
All of the wood components like the gunnels, seats, decks, thwart need to be sealed with a 50/50 mix of mineral spirits and varnish before final varnish is applied.
for more information on finishing: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Details-Final-Steps
Step 23: Last Step.
Paddle your canoe..
follow this link to see me using this canoe: http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Using-My-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-in-Canada
for more information see:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Bulding-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-The-Basics
estimating epoxy cost:
http://jimmar.hubpages.com/hub/Building-a-Cedar-Strip-Canoe-Estimating-the-Costs
video of 2016 fishing trip in Quetico Provincial Park Ontario, using one of my canoes.

First Prize in the
Great Outdoors Contest
1 Person Made This Project!
- lsippell made it!
97 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Just wanted to say congratulations on being a finalists in the Great Outdoors Contest! This was a fantastic instructable and just stunning to look at! This goes beyond being a canoe, but just plain art! Love it!! Good luck!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thank-you for the kind words. I didn't really expect to become a finalist, nor did I expect 146000 view in less the a month and a half. I just like to create something I can use and enjoy documenting and sharing the process.
9 years ago on Introduction
I just can't get over how beautiful that canoe is. I would love to know what you do with these besides show them off. What I'm saying is what kind of waters do you take them in? Or do you even take them out at all. Also, where do you buy kit for these canoes, or did you make it from scratch. I do have a lot of questions because I'm really interested in these kind of canoes.
9 years ago on Introduction
Amazing work!! Truly a functional work of art!!
9 years ago on Step 23
I really enjoyed the read on this project. It was well thought out in its planning and in your explanation of the steps and details. Thank you for sharing this, and I look forward to your future projects.
Sincerely,
RT
9 years ago on Introduction
This is absolutely beautiful!
I love your fixtures
I love your attention to detail.
I love your quality of workmanship.
Someone posted an alarming question as to paint color. Paint!? Hide such beautiful work, such lovely wood grain.
I just cannot say enough.
..
9 years ago on Introduction
BEAUTIFUL!! well built and I love the way you explained how to do it.I have 3 plastic Coleman 14' canoes and I'd sooner have a wooden canoe than a plastic.For to ride in a canoe is nothing like the "SILENCE" of gliding through water with out any noise.You see wildlife as it was meant to be.Also you can sneak into places to watch the wildlife with out scaring them.LOVE THE canoe build.
Question 1 year ago on Introduction
Absolutely sensational canoes always curious of what glues are being used thanks
Answer 1 year ago
I use titebond 3 or 2 for the strips and epoxy thickened with sanding dust for gunwales and stems.
3 years ago on Step 5
hello everyone I am new to this forum for the name Grzegorz and I am a lover of wooden kayaks from Poland so please help me.
I bought plans to make a kayak using the technique of gluing from slats but I can not understand how to write these dimensions from the array where to start
Question 4 years ago on Step 3
Hi, I am very pleased with your canoes and descriptions. Thank you.
Could you provide more canoe plans? Do you get this kind of coordinate
plans in the book canoecraft or you have to buy them separately?
Best regards,
Jure
Answer 4 years ago
i don't provide plans. In the book "CanoeCraft" are tables of offsets for a few designs. You need to layout the hull cross sectional shapes on a grid using the numbers in these tables.
Answer 4 years ago
Thanks a lot. I allready bought the book.
Question 4 years ago on Step 5
Hello, i just started my first canoe project. Started cutting out molds and my center mold seems very shallow. About 13”. Is this right?13” deep for a 16’ long and 36” wide canoe. I just copied some plans and want to make sure i did it right
Answer 4 years ago
Seems about right. These plans show 13.25" center depth.
https://www.bearmountainboats.ca/collections/canoe-plans/products/chestnut-prospector-16
If you want to make it a little deeper you can add a few strips if your molds are long enough to attach them.
6 years ago
Dude this boat is beautiful!
Reply 6 years ago
Thank-you. Thanks for reading.
Reply 5 years ago
Thanks for posting.
5 years ago
Wow, what a beautiful creation! So proud of your work! I wish I could make one, but, no cedar here on the Prairie that is not gold cost,and above all, no garage...some day perhaps!:) Would love to try doing this!! You do make it look easy, which I know for sure it is not....takes skill!:) NICE JOB!!!
6 years ago
Amazing