How to Make Canoes using Plywood

The first canoes were carved out of trees and known as dugouts. Canoes can be constructed of an assortment of materials. Using plywood to build a canoe is so simple that it can be completed in a few days. A simple plywood canoe can be made with materials available at a hardware store and can provide hours of enjoyment for the whole family.

Things You'll Need

  • Marine Grade Plywood, ½-inch thick, 10-inches by 8-feet, 3
  • Drill
  • Cable ties or zip ties
  • Scissors
  • Weather treated wood board, 2-inch by 6-inch, 3
  • Saw
  • C clamps
  • Sandpaper
  • L bracket, 12
  • Class fiber tape
  • Epoxy
  • Polyester Resin
  • Varnish
  • Paintbrushes
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay two of the 10-inch by 8- feet plywood boards on top of each other. Line the boards up perfectly and c-clamp them together to hold them in place.

    • 2

      Drill four 1/4-inch holes through the ends of the plywood. The holes need to be a ½-inch from the edge and 2 /12-inches apart. Make sure the holes through the top and bottom board are perfectly lined up.

    • 3

      Place cable or zip ties into the holes and tie them tight. Run one tie through each hole connecting the top and bottom sheets together. Cut the remaining tie end with scissors.

    • 4

      Remove the c clamps and measure 4-feet from one end. Have someone assist with pulling the boards apart at that spot and pull until the canoe is at the desired width.

    • 5

      Slide the third piece of plywood under the board and draw the bottom opening on the plywood. Cut out the drawing to form the bottom piece. Cut the 2-inch by 6-inch boards to fit inside the canoe. One board is placed 4-feet from the end or the center of the canoe. The other two boards are placed 2-feet from each end.

    • 6

      Place the sides of the canoe on the bottom piece and attach them with L brackets. Place three L brackets on each side. One L bracket is placed every 2-feet. Slide the 2-inch by 6-inch boards into place by pushing the sections down to ½ of the width of the sides and screw them into place with L brackets. Place one bracket on each side. Cover each screw with epoxy.

    • 7

      Use glass fiber tape to cover the inside and outside of the ends and the rim between the sides and the bottom. Cover the areas with resin and allow the resin to dry. Apply a second coat of resin and let this coat dry.

    • 8

      Varnish the entire canoe inside and out.