I built a lapstrake canoe over two winters

[FLYGEEZER]

Just beautiful! You have my highest compliments.

[Hard-Deck]

Originally Posted by FLYGEEZER

Just beautiful! You have my highest compliments.

Thank you Sir. Woodworking is one of my passions. I've never built a boat before, but I now want to build more. These things are fun to build...not a straight line anywhere.

[Hard-Deck]

I finished the rough shaping of the stemhead. This was NOT easy. I had to rough cut it with a hacksaw blade, then finish shaping it with wood files and sandpaper. I put a primer coat of paint to show you how the stemhead shape flows onto the garboard, blending into the Stolen Kiss Red paint.

[Hard-Deck]

The last thing to build is the spreaders. The blueprints call for spreaders that have a slight bow, but any style spreaders will work. I elected to go with the bow since straight ones just don't look right due to the fact that there are no 90 degree angles on this boat anywhere, so straight sticks would not look correct.

The challenge was in getting the bow. I thought about bending wood, but didn't want to laminate the spreaders. I then thought of building a jig to cut them out with my router; but didn't want the jig build time and setup. The answer popped into my head one morning as I was drinking coffee. These had to be maple to match the spacers of the gunwhales and I figured it out.
Here's a photo of them in the rough, before shaping them for fitment. Can you figure out what these are? I bought them just like they're pictured.

[intakexhaust]

Very nice and someday hope to do the same. I'm guessing none of the radius bends are too extreme so no steam bend is required?

Somewhere I read Kevin Costner built one.

[s_morrison57]

just a guess but rocking chair feet or what ever they are called

[Hard-Deck]

No steam bending anywhere. the stems are laminated, but no steam needed.

Ding, ding, ding! Yes, rocking chair runners.

[Hard-Deck]

One night after finishing the spreaders I went to bed troubled by them looking so clunky. They reminded me of mainframe ribs on a large Chris Craft Constellation. I woke up with the fix to resaw them horizontially, then refinish with a 1/2 inch roundover. They turned out nice and lightened up the look a lot. Plenty strong still.

NOW I'm done building and ready to prep for varnish.
Photos are a recap of the bulky spreaders and the new sleek ones.

[Hard-Deck]

Complete. It can be viewed on the plans drawer's website at: Duck Trap Woodworking Home Page. Just scroll about halfway down the page.

[Seahawk]

No better lines on that boat/canoe/lapstrake.

I am so sick and tired of the over achievers on this board.

What next, one year?

[Hard-Deck]

Seahawk,

I am now currently restoring a Moto Morini motorcycle. I will post that up when complete. Here's a teaser....

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Snapper33

I am now currently restoring a Moto Morini motorcycle. I will post that up when complete. Here's a teaser....

Better be within a year, Sparky

Tell me about the boat/canoe...what water is it designed for? It looks the business for the Potomac where I live.

[Hard-Deck]

Paul, The boat was built and first used in Seattle on the Puget sound...brackish water. It is capable of fresh or salt water duty. However, it is a 13 footer, built for our daughter with low freeboard, so it really wants protected waters or small swells. I've had it in some chop and it takes on a little water, but it's no sea kayak.

The Morini will be done by end of summer. I'm trying to complete it in time for the Italian Gathering here in Ohio.

[Hard-Deck]

Paul, I will be building another boat. The next one is a microbootlegger. This one may be a good one for the Chesapeake.

[Tim Hancock]

Why did I read this?.... NEED to focus on existing projects..... MUST resist.

PS: Nice job Snapper!

[Buckterrier]

Very awesome Snapper. And the paint color story even better.
I built a 17' sea kayak from cedar strips a few years ago. Nothing like working with wood and making something beautiful.
You are to be commended.

[Rick V]

Fooking beautiful.

[herr_oberst]

I was going to post a thread about some furniture I sanded and refinished.

Never mind.

That little boat is absolutely beautiful. I especially like the transition of the white into red; it encapsulates the rest of the build perfectly. You have a good eye, and I'm looking forward to the bootlegger build.

[RWebb]

beautiful!

but I did not see oozing pitch in any of the photos...

[A930Rocket]

I'm a complete failure...

I envy you guys that take wood and make things look beautiful!