Handmade Cedar Canoes

Many craftspeople specialize in wooden canoe building. One of the best woods to use is cedar. Cedar is naturally water-resistant, having a high resin or sap content. Cedar, being relatively soft, is easy to work with. Furthermore, it's a sustainable resource, since cedar trees are conifers and fast-growing.

  1. Strip Planking Method

    • Cedar canoes are strip-planked. Thin strips of cedar wood, about 1/2 inch thick by 3 inches wide, are attached to a ribbed frame. Since the strips bend, you can achieve the classic canoe shape. After attaching, you sand off the square rough edges so all the planks blend into a smoothly flowing hull. A certain degree of woodworking knowledge is required, such as how to use power sanders or saws.

    Plans

    • A variety of plans are available from hundreds of suppliers. Some of these come from professional boatbuilding companies and some from individual builders. Plans usually include a bill of materials along with helpful construction tips. Some plans are for sale, but many free plans are distributed for free.

    Fasteners and Adhesives

    • Fasteners, such as nails or screws, should be non-rusting. Stainless steel or brass screws are normally used. For the adhesive, boatbuilder, Jay Morrison, used epoxy glue. This is a popular boatbuilding glue, used for many years to build many boats. Do not use common woodworking white or yellow glue, since these are not waterproof.

    Finishing

    • Any good marine finish will work. This includes marine varnish, various polyurethanes or the environmentally friendly water-based finishes. Usually, five or more coats completely seal the wood. Follow the finish manufacturer's directions closely when finishing your canoe, such as sanding between coats.

    Fiberglass

    • Some builders, like Morrison, apply a fiberglass mat to the exterior of the hull. The mat turns clear when coated with the resin, so it creates a tough, durable clear finish. Apply fiberglass is an art onto itself. If you choose to go this route, practice on some scrap wood first, to get the right feel for how to apply fiberglass.