How to Build Your Own Simple Canoe

Having a simple, small canoe allows you access to a local lake or river. If you have the resources, you can spend a significant amount of money to buy a canoe. You can also paddle, relax or fish in the water by making a simple canoe from plywood. The design for your homemade canoe is basic and has few frills, but it accomplishes the goal of getting you and perhaps a fishing rod and a cooler into the water.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 sheets of ¼ inch plywood
  • 1 two-by-four
  • Scrap wood
  • Fiberglass tape
  • Zip ties
  • Epoxy resin and hardener
  • Wood flour
  • Tarps
  • Paint brush
  • Cups for mixing
  • Enamel Paint
  • Varnish
  • Brass nails
  • Jigsaw
  • Drill
  • Orbital sander
  • Putty spreader
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and draw your panels on the plywood. Draw the two side panels as 1 foot wide by 8 feet long. For the ends of both side panels, draw a line with a 30-degree angle down from what will be the top of the panel to what will be the bottom. You will join these two angled ends to make the bow (front) and stern (back) of your canoe.

    • 2

      Cut out the side panels using a jigsaw. Place them on top of each other to form the silhouette of your canoe.

    • 3

      Drill three holes equal space apart along the edge of the bow and stern. Connect them temporarily using zip ties. Place the connected side panels perpendicular on top of the second piece of plywood.

    • 4

      Separate the side panels to form the width of your canoe. Keep them apart using pieces of two-by-four. Cut the two-by-four into pieces to hold the side panels apart. A wider canoe will float better and hold people better but will flip over much easier. A narrow canoe will turn easier and be steadier as you paddle but will be less comfortable for seating people.

    • 5

      Draw the shape of the bottom of your canoe on the second piece of plywood using your separated panels as your guide. Remove the side panels. Cut out the bottom of the canoe

    • 6

      Line up the panels with the hull of the canoe. Use epoxy glue to seal the seams. Check the directions on the epoxy glue for the correct drying time, which could be up to a day. Use weights or blocks to secure the joints and seams while the epoxy dries. When the glue is dry, the entire boat should feel like one piece of wood.

    • 7

      Drill small holes in the panels near the edges. Zip tie your panels together. Cover the outside seams in duck tape.

    • 8

      Paint epoxy inside the canoe at every seam. Spread putty in the seams. Use your putty spreader to make sure the putty is smooth. Put fiberglass tape over the seams. Put more epoxy over the fiberglass tape so it is completely covered.

    • 9

      Paint the interior of the hull with epoxy to seal it. Allow it to dry according to the epoxy directions. Flip over the canoe. Secure the exterior seams with epoxy and fiberglass tape as you did on the interior seams in Step 8. When the epoxy is cured, sand it down to an even finish.

    • 10

      Use two-by-fours to add extras like seats or handles if you would like. Paint and varnish the exterior and interior using enamel paint.