How to Build a Handmade Canoe

Canoes are a popular and easy way to travel on the water. Building your own canoe can be as complicated as carving one out of a tree trunk or as simple as building one from plywood. The latter is by far the easiest way to build a canoe and it is that method we'll focus on.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 to 5 sheets of plywood
  • 1-by-1s (like 2-by-4s, only smaller)
  • Cable ties
  • Electric saw
  • Electric drill
  • Marine epoxy
  • Glass tape
  • Wood screws
  • Waterproof varnish
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two two pieces of plywood approximately 1 foot wide by 7 feet long. If you are making a canoe for two people, your pieces of wood should measure 1 foot by 10 feet. Place these two pieces directly on top of each other.

    • 2

      Drill five holes that are evenly spaced along one short end of the plywood, making sure to drill through both pieces. Repeat this along the other end.

    • 3

      Using the cable ties, stitch the two pieces of plywood together at both ends. Make sure the loose ends of the cable ties are on the inside of what will be your canoe. These ties are only to hold the boards in place. You will waterproof the seams later, after you separate and bend the two pieces of plywood.

    • 4

      Take the two pieces of plywood -- which are now attached together at either end -- and place them on a third piece of uncut plywood. This will be the bottom of the canoe. Spread the two panels apart as wide as you like. Do this by simply pulling them apart in the center. You will see your canoe begin to take shape. It is usually easier to get the shape you want if you get between the two boards and push the boards outward until they bend into shape; you may want to enlist the aid of a friend. The wider the canoe, the more stable it will be. Have a friend trace the pattern of the bottom of the canoe on the plywood.

    • 5

      Cut out your pattern for the bottom of the canoe. If you make a mistake, use a new sheet of plywood (that's why you bought extra sheets).

    • 6

      Drill holes approximately 3 to 4 inches apart along the edge of the canoe bottom and along the bottom edge of the canoe sides. These holes should line up with each other when the sides are placed on top of the bottom.

    • 7

      Use the cable ties to attach the sides of the canoe to the bottom. Pull these tight with the ends of the ties inside the canoe.

    • 8

      Working from the inside of the canoe, seal the seams with marine epoxy and glass tape. It is important that the epoxy is marine-grade. This will allow the seams to be completely waterproof. Allow the epoxy to dry before continuing.

    • 9

      Cut the cable ties and remove. You may then proceed to seal the outside seams with the marine epoxy. Allow to dry completely.

    • 10

      Using 1-by-1s, insert three cross bars inside the canoe using wood screws. Seal the screw holes with marine epoxy from the outside of the boat and allow to dry. Affix a seat made of plywood to the center cross bar by also using wood screws. If you feel like the seat needs greater stability, reinforce using additional 1-by-1s.

    • 11

      Using waterproof varnish and a high quality paintbrush, seal the entire outside of the canoe. Follow the manufacturer's directions for applying this varnish. In general, you will need 2 or 3 coats for full coverage, but this may vary depending on the exact varnish you choose. Once dry, your canoe is ready for the water.