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Last year we were in Germany for a holiday and camped near a river called the Weser... Everyday many kayaks and a few canoes floated down the river, that was a beautiful sight... After a few weeks, I called a boat shop in Amsterdam and the man I spoke to helped me. He said he had one book, and so, after a long way of searching, seeking and calling, a not forget reading your book, I could start building my own canoe. I did build my own canoe in less than 2 months, and if you are interested by the price... she gave me more pleasure than the money is worth. Dick Bolhuis, Holland
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One of the best Christmas presents I have ever received was your book, CANOECRAFT which allowed me to commence constructing my dream boat... Last May I set her in the lake for her first paddle. Yeah! She floats! While other books on the topic gave me general ideas on how to build a stripper, they were lacking in a refined finished product, sloppy in technique and appearance. Your book gave me the confidence to start building. Elisabeth van Eyken, Lakefield Ontario.
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I found your book excellent and self-explanitory. We built the conoe over 5 weekends... I had the help of my father and a friend. I used it for the first time on a camping weekend in May. It was loaded with about 1,000 lbs. of gear. I've paddled many thousands of miles in Canadian canoes but none can compare with this one. It paddles like a dream. I am very impressed and I can see it staying in my family for many years. Trevor Farrell, Engadine Australia.
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Thank you for your marvellous how to do it book. I had admired the book cover for years and I decided to try it. I picked a lot of brains because my skill level is somewhat short of a full load. That is why your marvellous directions carried me along. There are many lessons in humility but for a grandmother who just turned 60 it'll do. Beth Brown, Sorrento BC.
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Just a note to thank you people for producing CANOECRAFT through Harrowsmith. I have enclosed some snaps of my new Peterborough made from your plan. It was a struggle, but thanks to your encouragement we made it! I thought the project was well beyond my skill level - the only power tools I had were a 1/4" drill and a borrowed sander. It is a delightful boat to handle, as well as to look at. John Dawson, Vancouver BC.
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I am writing to thank you for writing a damn good book! When your book arrived, and I saw the cover photo, I was inspired to a higher level of craftsmanship. I used ideas from both books, but would like to thank you for your ideas and general attention to detail. Your book became my construction Bible. I was enlightened by your chapter on the history of strip canoe construction. Houston Shirk, Virginia
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Thanks for your help and thanks for your book. It's been about a year since I called you with a question and you asked me to send pictures of my canoe when it was done. It took that long to get a block of time free to finish it but here it is. Your book is outstanding. Thanks again. Gary Rich, Fairfield Iowa.
CommentsI'm very happy with my bob's special. She's called bubble, because... I think you could know why. So I hope the bubbles will help her, to swimm a little bit better...! Greetings from Switzerland Stefan Graf
CommentsHi Ted and Joan, I was fourteen when I saw my first cedarstrip canoe on the headwaters of the Penobscot River in Maine. I knew then that I wanted to own one of these treasures. Now at age 31, I do. On August 25 my three boys and I took our Prospector on her maiden voyage on the Saco River in Maine. Thanks for your book, Canoecraft, that passes on great encouragement to never-before builders like myself. May I bore you with the details? I began in May of 1994 -- over three years ago! Other priorities with money and time kept pushing the project aside. Though I enjoyed building the "River Nymph" (a few insects found themselves stuck in the first coat of epoxy) a couple of disasters daunted my spirits and nearly put the task to a closure. I followed the documentation in the book very carefully while applying the glass and epoxy, having never done it before. However, I used a different brand than the recommended which did not respond as the West Systems. The result was several areas of uncured epoxy - sagging off the side of the canoe! I scraped away the soft areas with a hot putty knife, cut in new cloth and reapplied fresh epoxy. As I continued on the inside, large blisters began appearing on the hull. My beautiful canoe has a bad case of leprosy!! I plan to repair the numerous blisters this winter when the paddling season is over. I used Brazilian cherry for the gunwales. It is very dense and heavy - making the compound curves a chore. I tapered the outwales and scuppered the inwales to help the process. They looked great! After plugging the screw holes one morning, however, I returned that night to find that one of the outwales had fractured 3/4 of the way through from the stress of the bend! I glued and screwed it to make the repair. It surely won't make your showcase of beautiful amateur-built canoes. I won't be sending a picture of this one that betrays my perfectionistic personality but I must say that it is by far the best handling canoe I have had the privilege of paddling -- and it's mine! Thanks again. I plan to build another canoe someday so our whole family can go along on our water excursions. It will definitely be a Prospector! Paul Waite East Barre, Vermont
CommentsI first saw a woodstrip canoe on top of the van of the guy who lives up the street. His son and my son played together and one day my son came home and asked me why couldn't build a canoe. I had been secretly admiring that boat so his comment was all I needed. If he could do it surely I could. I checked Canoecraft out of the library but pretty soon had to buy a copy. From start to finish it took me 2 1/2 years to build that canoe. During that time period my wife had a life threatening illness, I changed jobs, we had a new baby son, and I accepted a very time consuming calling in my church. The story of the canoe runs all through it. I finished the last coat of finish in November and rushed home from work to take it to the nearest water and give it a trial run. It was a sweet moment. My sons and I floated the Bear River, Willard Bay and the Logan River till July of the following year In a moment of temporary insanity I decided to try an exceptionally rough section of river in Logan Canyon and after swamping that canoe and about half a mile of half submerged bashing against rocks I managed to get it to the bank. That poor canoe was seriously damaged. I shed some tears but building it has at least given me the know how to attempt the repairs. But that has only wet my appetite to build another canoe. I have just printed the plans for another canoe. Having had that boat on the water makes me want to have another boat ready for this summer. Thanks for the plans and the book. Layne Smith, Logan, Utah
CommentsThe BearMountain Hiawatha Project I’ve have always been meaning to share a little bit about my first stripper. I wanted to share the experience with intend of encouraging those who have thought it would be interesting to build such a craft. It began one day while browsing in a local bookstore. There it was Canoecraft, the picture on the front cover made me spell bound. I didn’t know such a craft even existed. I spent the next few months browsing the pages, anticipating the project. The book is great, whenever I needed help, the answers where all in the pages. Derek in Regina
CommentsIts finally done! I began building the strongback on Dec 7, 1999 and first launch was on May 7, 2000.
I am a beginning canoeist. In fact, I had never been in a canoe before this one. (I found that I have a lot to learn!) The building went well thanks to the very detailed instructions in Canoecraft. Thanks also to Steve Killing for the design. Charles Barnett New Whiteland.
CommentsTed & Joan You know the story about how we had to adapt the glassing technique for African conditions when temperature soared by 20 C overnight and humidity dropped from 80% to 0 %, while outside was glassed and inside lost moisture rapidly and my canoe looked like a peapod! We corrected it by putting in lots of water. (In subsequent boats we sanded the outside, put in two temporary thwarts, sanded inside and glassed both outside and inside in one very long day). You also know the story about how I was attacked by a hippo on my first 300km trip on the Zambesi and how the incredible strength of the Seligna/Fibreglass combination hull probably saved my life as me, my boat and 200lb freight was lifted a meter out of the water. The only damage two broken strips and my ego! ( My right foot was literally inside the hippo's mouth, but protected by the hull). I now live in Zambia, one of Africa's most beautiful countries full of rivers, lakes, crocodiles, hippo's and tigerfish and still use my canoe which has two slightly lighter wood patches, but as beautiful as ever!! If you happen to visit Central Africa, get in touch! Happy building and Canoeing Dieks Theron e-mail: therond@coppernet.zm
CommentsThanks for the easy instructions and great designs. I built the 16ft Endeavour Touring Kayak however I shortened it to 15ft to accomodate my garage. The boat handles excellent and I have recieved many compliments.
CommentsTed and Joan: My son teaches at a private school that requires the students to do a lot af paddling. I came across your 1/12 scale kits in a magazine and thought I'd give the Redbird a try. I am pleased with the results, as well as with your on-line help. I messed up when cutting the outside stems, and eventually had to use oak laminate. Most people would probably carry a cooler in the canoe, but my son's school uses food boxes in their 26 and 28 foot canoes. I built a food box out of scrap and found some 1/12 scale pop and beer cans for it. Hopefully I can find some place to build a full size canoe. Thanks very much for an enjoyable time. I can't figure out how to add images, so I won't! Rod Coates Thunder Bay, Ontario
CommentsHas anyone out there built a full-size Redbird?
CommentsI built the Redbird, can't beleive how nice it came out. I've started a Wee Lassie now.
Comments3/21/01 Time 1:00AM I first saw cedar canoe on Cranberry Lake in the '70s. It was a little "Rushton" not much bigger than the "Sairy Gamp" and it floated like an oakleaf. In 1998 I went to WoodenBoat and was on the team that built a "Freedom 17". in Ted's class. Through schools, college, military and professional schools Ted was the best teacher I've ever had. Plus we had a good group with excellent skills. My best move of the week was winning the raffle. I thought the boat was pretty special, but that opinion was reinforced twice on the way home to Rochester, NY. The ticket booth attendant at Kittery asked about the boat as he pulled out a map. (That was so the rig behind me would push me through the booth.) I gave him my WoodenBoat catalog and was on my way. I decided with attention I was getting, I'd best drive straight through or bring the canoe into a motel! At the Worcester, Mass rest area as I pulled in a brand new fully restored '58 metal silver Porsche pulled in. I got out to look at the Porsche, he got out to look at the boat, and four guys in a Volvo came over to us, AND LOOKED AT MY BOAT.
CommentsYep. Built a Redbird last summer. The first stripper I have built. I have since built two other models. So far, the redbird is my favorite. My wife and I have had it out on numerous day/ weekend trips and one 10 day, 130 mile wilderness trip. She handles well (the canoe)in both river and large lakes, but we have not attempted any serious whitewater. Paddles fast and easy. I expect the fine entry to make it a little wet when you encounter much of a standing wave, but so far we have avoided that. Jim Tuck, Mackenzie, B.C. Dear Ted Moores I noticed on your website's Photo Gallery that you do not have any pictures of a completed Huron Cruiser. I finished a Huron this summer and am very happy with it's handling characteristics. If you are interested, you can use any of the photos found on my website as long as photo credit and building credit are recognised. The finished pictures are at: http://members.tripod.com/tomangelakis/Finished.htm However, I have deviated from the original plans. All trim is Sitka Spruce; gunwhales are one piece and half the size; I shortened the canoe by 8 inches after removing the centre station mold; and 3oz cloth was used (though two layers on the bottom). Even so, I doubt that it looks that much different than a Huron built to spec. I would be happy to answer any questions. Sincerely, Tom Angelakis 
It took me almost a year to start on a boat after our class at White River in October 1999. I built a Freedom 17 from plans I bought at Bear Mountain. The building went well thanks to the experience in the class and I launched the boat in March. I highly recommend building a boat...the process is fun and you end up with a well designed and well made boat that sure is fun to show off . This October I'm taking the Building the Maine Guide Canoe course through WoodenBoat School in Michigan. Next I want to build a marathon boat. George Warrington,  I have enclosed a picture of the Peterborough Champlain canoe I built last fall. I wish to commend you on your design and detail in instruction for building canoes. It was over ten years ago that I first got the idea to build a canoe myself. I got a copy of Canoecraft and was soon addicted to the idea. I still remember calling you up and discussing the idea when I was still in my teens. 
It took me over ten years to compile all the variables needed - space,tools,time and of course money. Your web site, especially the Builders Forum was extremely helpful and educational. The construction had very few problems and was very rewarding...It took me a total of 250 hours to build the strongback, mold and canoe building completely from scratch. I cut and routed my cedar planking from 19' clear rough cut western red cedar timbers and built and carved my own seats, thwart and ash trim. The total weight of the canoe is 59 pounds. I am a person who likes to take on challenges with my hands, building a canoe tops a long list of achievements. I can't express how much fun I had even when I couldn't see for the sweat in my eyes while sanding. I hope the second turns out as well as the first. Michael R Aubin 
I am sending you a picture of the Red Bird that I built according to your specifications and techniques. I want to thank you for your skill and inventiveness you share with us by publishing your experience in your books. It permitted me to involve my two daughters in the project and permitted me to realize myself through this construction. My next project will be a C1 sprint canoe. C'est merveilleux! Luc Lennie, I am a first time canoe builder. I borrowed a friend's strongback and mold's for a Bill Mason's favourite, a 16 ' Chestnut Prospector. After truing up the molds, I spaced the forms to give me a 17' 6" canoe. The thinking being, I wanted to carry lots of gear and have a faster boat that would hold a course well across windy lakes. I made some other changes because I am also making it into a sloop-rig sailing canoe. I beefed up the inwales and outwales (I always liked the wide, tapered trim of the old Peterboroughs) to support a lee board and added a keel to help from sliding sideways. To keep a clean. uninterrupted line on the outwale, the inwales were fastened first through through the planking, then outwales were fastened through both gunwales from the inside every 6 " and plugged with walnut. Rather than a single piece of wood, I made the yoke out of 6 pieces of ash, and although fairly delicate, it supports the 75 pound canoe easily. I also made the outside stems from 3 strips of ash, epoxy-glued and fastened through the inside stems. 
I've added generous decks (in the Peterborough style) for extra strength and appearance. Decks were fastened from outside before the outwales were attached. Outwales were then fastened up to the deck area with stainless screws and the remaining ends were glued up to the stems with epoxy. Seats are made with thin pieces of ash that have a natural spring, making for a comfortable ride on extended trips. I took a chance a uses 2 oz. fiberglass cloth to save weight. So far it's holding up quite well, although I probably sacrificed some strength. I am now building a new strongback and designing a new solo canoe. Thank you for what you have given me through your very comprehensive and inspirational books... Dave Murphy I finally finished my first canoe, a 15' Ranger. It took me four months including the time to make the paddles and seats. I ripped, beaded and coved all the cedar (I'd use a surface planner next time). If I would have had perfectly uniform strips it would have saved time throughout the entire project. 
The gunwales and trim are Honduran cherry. The seats and thwart are honey locust and cherry. The paddles, decks and seat spacers are lots of pieces of walnut, cherry, honey locust and maple. The "eyes" in the front deck are natural knots in the walnut filled with epoxy resin. For the rope ties at the bow and stern I used 3/16 brass stock. I drilled and taped it to accept stainless steel bolts then shaped and polished it. I have read four books on building canoes and by far yours was the best. The rest leave out too many details. A suggestion ...when making the outside stems, if the last strip is the same material as the gunwales, the color of the trim will match around the ends. Brad Story, Ron at Canadian Canoes thought I should send you some of the pictures showing some of the unique things I did on my boat. I found the simplest way to get an effective seal on the hatch covers was to apply the trim on both the hatch and the deck. The seal is made from 3/8 x 3/8 closed cell foam cut on a 45 degree bevel. When you mount the cover, the seal spreads out in such a way that it forces water away from the actual lip/seal mating area. Plus with the compliance of the beveled foam, you get a perfect fit with minimal tension of the securing straps. I've had no leaking through the hatch seals at all. In fact the hatches have actually formed a vacuum after being in the warmth of the sun followed by shade. The next pic's show my rudder support. It features a concealed bungie for securing in transport. All in all it was an amazing project. It's truly a work of art when finished. I hope to have the opportunity to construct another. Dennis.Vogan Thought you might like to see the kayak that I was able to build using your book. I cut your sheer clamp diagonally lengthwise so that I could run three inch glass cloth on the inside along the entire length. I did write you before I started this project. I was going to lose 40 lbs by the time I was finished. I'm a fast worker. Lost 10. Al Gerhards, It is my pleasure to let you know that my brother Pat and I have finished our first Endeavor. These photos are from our trip to the Boundary Waters which was the maiden voyage for the boat. While in the BWCA people complemented the kayak and asked about its construction. It took us 8 months to finish mostly because of our busy work schedules....we had a fun time building it and only got into one argument during construction. We developed a workshop rule that if anyone behaved As much fun as it was to build, it was even better to have on the water. Ted, this is a wonderful design. It's fast and a joy to paddle. It has great secondary stability and handles like a dream while tracking effortlessly. I traveled upwind and upstream with ease. Downwind I caught some waves and rode them with confidence. I can't say enough about how well thought - out this design is. Pat has decided to build a canoe - it will keep us off the streets and out of trouble this winter. Ted, thanks again for the things you taught us in class (WoodenBoat School 1999) . It gave us the skills, the confidence and the proper state of mind needed to finish the boat successfully. Whenever we were stuck, we would ask "What would Ted do?" This helped us through many little problems as well as some big humps. Nick Fanelli 
My craft was finished in early summer 1999 and I enjoyed very much making the craft. The only problem was that my wife complained that she didn't see me at all. As soon as dinner was eaten, I disappeared into the workshop. The hull was made of Norwegian pine and the details of oak and mahogany. The boat came out well, but it could have been even better of it wasn't for some problems with warping due to changing humidity in the workshop. After I had laid the glass outside it was a couple of weeks before I was ready to lay the inside. I so enjoyed building the canoe that I am determined to build something else with the same technique, like a kayak. Oyvind Loken Just wanted to say that I really enjoyed the kayak building class at Wooden Boat School last year. It was very informative and gave many new ideas I can use with my students. I taught an adult class this spring on how to build a Prospector. this was my first adult class and I enjoyed it as much as they did. The Foothills Craft Guild invited my deaf high school students to be part of their fall craft show last year. The show has over 200 craftsmen and women showing and selling their craft items. The students had fun demonstrating their skills and I enjoyed watching them interact with hearing people. Last year we demonstrated paddle making and planking the hull of a Prospector. The kids were such a hit with the public and promoters that we have all been invited back again this year to be their guest by demonstrating the art of CanoeCraft at the show. Dick Hancock, Find enclosed some photos of the two Endeavour 17's I built with the guidance of your Kayak Craft book. 
It is difficult to express the feelings you have upon the completion of such a beautifully designed craft. Her lines are the work of an artist. The key to success is the guidance of your book, patience, stay focused on each step and as you say, "give it your best shot." Bass and cedar were used for the hull and deck. Stems, guards, cockpit trim and hatches were ash and black walnut. The first kayak was assembled with staples but the second was built without staples. The time involved was substantially longer but the final result was "magic". The design on the deck is an igloo with it's syllabic in inuktituk. Yesterday, Janice and myself got the bottom wet. It was my wife's first time out (after a one day course). She enjoyed every minute of her paddling. I felt part of my kayak after a few minutes. It paddles and tracks beautifully. We look forward to the many adventures to come. Camille Bard Ted: Ron at Canadian Canoes thought I should send you some pictures showing some of the unique things I did on my boat, so here they are. I found the simplest way to get an effective seal on the hatch covers. I applied the std trim on both the hatch and the deck. The seal is made from 3/8 x 3/8 closed-cel foam, cut on a 45 degree bevel. When you mount the cover, the seal spreads out in such a way that it forces water away from the actual lip/seal mating area. Plus, with the compliance of the beveled foam, you get a perfect fit with minimal tention of the securing straps. I've had no leaking through the hatch seals at all. In fact, the hatches have actually formed a vacuum after being in the warmth of the sun followed by shade. The next pic's show my rudder support. It features a concealed bungie for securing in transport. All in all, it was an amazing project. It's truly a work of art when you're done. I hope to have the opportunity to construct another. Regards, I had e-mailed you about selecting a kayak about a year ago. Just thought I'd let you know how it went. My daughter Catherine and I finally built a boat (for her). 
I bought the KayakCraft book. I thought it was an excellent book. I particularly liked the chapter by Killing. I had read canoecraft in 1996, and my Dad and I had built a Freedom 17'9" with a Bear Mountain plan kit. That exercise went really well and was good experience for taking on the kayak. We didn't encounter any problems. I started with the lines from the Endeavour 17. I scaled up the beam to 24-1/2 in. and made the cockpit a little larger (Cat's a big girl). I gave her the plans for her 15th birthday. We spend the summer building it and finally launched it this fall. She really likes it. It was a really good father - daughter project. I've attached a couple of pictures of it. We used dark red cedar for the hull and light cedar with a dark red cedar border for the deck. The stems, guard and cockpit rim are red oak. The boat came out at 53 lb. I can paddle it, but my feet don't fit. I have to sort of point my toes. (I'm 6'6", 250 lb and I have size 16 feet.) I'll have to make my boat deeper and maybe longer to clear my feet. Thanks, Hi Joan or Hal, 
It looks like the "Endeavour" has found a home in Newport Beach California. So as promised, I will send you the royalties for the design, as soon as I have my clients check in hand. This means that my building on spec phase is over, as now I am getting commissions to build kayaks. I will keep you informed if I get asked to build other Bear Mountain kayaks. Regards, Jurgen
 Dear Ted, Well, it took me a year and a half but I finally finished the Resolute we built in your class at the Mariner's Museum in 1999. As promised, attached are a couple of pictures. I have also included a close-up of the holes in the stems for attaching the lifting toggles (which are rope grommets with handles seized in--I like to do rope work, too). I was a little worried about problems with the brass sleeve you suggest in your book. Instead I drilled a "large" hole through the stem, filled it with thickened epoxy, then drilled a smaller hole through it. Looks kind of like an ivory insert. It should keep water away from the wood. Unfortunately, I could not figure out a way to make the second hole plumb with the boat, not having any surfaces to square up to. How does one deal with this? I must confess I don't know what wood the boat is made out of. When people ask me, I say "cedar" but I don't know for sure. What is it? I see you will be teaching again at the Mariner's Museum this spring (canoes this time). I would like to bring the boat around for you to see and maybe convince some of the students that they can make a beautiful boat, too. If that would be okay, I would aim for the Sunday afternoon introduction (assuming you will have one again) though it is hard for me to make any specific scheduling that far in advance. Thank you for your laid-back attitude and excellent instruction. You not only made me feel less like a wood butcher, but got me to do it right. Hope to see you in a couple of months, Gene Bjerke Dear Bear Mountain, 
As promised, here's an update on the 16" Prospector
I'm building in Guyana. We've decided on a wood for
the planking, an indigenous wood called saury skin
silver balli. The wood has been cut and dried, and
we've begun to use your plans and specifications for
molds to design and cut a series of ribs that will
strengthen the hull of the boat in the absence of
fibreglass.I must thank you again for the gift of the plans. Hopefully the entire boat will be completed in the next two weeks, and its construction in our small community has caused enough of a stir that several people have expressed interest in purchasing one for themselves, including a rainforest resort across the river. Canoe building, hopefully, fill the gap created by increased competition of large-scale boat builders and revitalize boat building here in our town. I'm attaching a photo of the silver balli planks. I'll send more canoe-related photos via email as soon as I can get them developed. Thanks again! Brian Tarallo U.S. Peace Corps Dear Bear Mountain, 
Here's the first of the photos I promised you. It's of
myself and Melville, the local boat builder, studying
your plans. In the background is his shop and some of
the speedboats he's built.
The past month has been spent going over them and trying to figure out how to get as close to your design as possible with the technology available here in Guyana. Unfortunately, fibreglass is too expensive to make a true cedar strip canoe a viable product down here. What we've come up with to lower the cost and increase the strength is a series of ribs along the inside of the boat. The design we've come up with is really an amalgamation of your canoe design and the wooden speedboats built here. You did all the hard work for us; the difficult part was getting a set of measurements that would give us a working canoe. Cedar was also not available. We tested dozens of different types of wood to come up with an alternative based on strength, flexibility, weight, and cost, and we finally decided on "Silver Belly Saury Skin," (that's how they pronounce it at least. We're currently in the process of harvesting and preparing the wood (yup, we're cutting it right out of the rainforest) and, hopefully, will be finished at the end of the week. It looks like the boat will be finished in a couple of months, and hopefully the idea will take off and serve to boost the local boat building shops here. You can expect regular updates of our progress. Thanks again!! Brian Tarallo U.S. Peace Corps Dear Bear Mountain Boats, Our canoe, based on your Prospector design, is nearing completion. The skeletal rib design we built to strengthen the boat given the lack of fibreglass has been a trial and error process, but has yielded magnificent results. The planks we used had to be much wider than those called for in your plans in order to strengthen the hull and minimize the amount of epoxy necessary, but have also produced encouraging results. We're now in the last phase of sanding and filling gaps; soon we'll build the seats and attach the gunwales, leaving the final step of "varnishing," as they call it down here. 
The best part of working from your plans has been the
strength of the design, which has allowed us to
construct a spectacular boat in spite of the lack of
resources. The local boat builder heading up the
construction has already received orders for at least
three more canoes, and the word is spreading.I'd like to get your advice on kayak plans. I have a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer friend who desperately misses her touring kayak and wants to use your plans to build a boat of her own (we'll of course pay for this set). Given the roughness of the river here (which can get to almost ocean-like chop) and her medium, athletic build, I was thinking along the lines of the Endeavour 17 or the Resolute 16-6, mostly leaning towards the Endeavour. Thanks again for your help and support. Brian Tarallo U.S. Peace Corps Dear Bear Mountain, 
I'm just back from our first trip with the canoe. We
paddled over ten miles to the resort that has placed
an order for additional canoes. I'm including photos
of the finished boat, and I look forward to your
impressions of it.Thanks again for your support. Brian Tarallo U.S. Peace Corps Dear Bear Mountain Boats, Just wanted to let you know that our canoe is finally finished, and it's gorgeous. We've named it "Matoaka," after a lake in Williamsburg where we used to kayak, and incidentally, the name Pocahontas means "Princess Matoaka." Tomorrow we'll take it for its maiden voyage, up the Essequibo River to Baganara Island Resort, where the general manager has expressed interest in purchasing a few for the resort. Your generous gift of the plans is making a difference to our community. A boat maker who was on the verge of closing shop has found a nitch where he can use his expertise in a new an profitable way. Locals and visitors have all showed interest, and we already have orders for more canoes. We're also looking forward to applying what we've learned to constructing a kayak: you can expect an order for plans from a friend of ours in Guyana. I'm including a couple of photos from the planking process. Sorry about the time lag with photos: I shoot them in Bartica, develop them in Georgetown, scan them back in Bartica, then finally post them on the internet in Georgetown. Today I developed the final photos of the canoe's construction, and I'm anxious to scan them and send them your way. I never thought it would come out so well. I don't see how we'll be able to part with it at the end of our term of service: we're looking into having it shipped home. I'd like to explore the possiblity of rigging it with a sail. I read Hugh Horton's and Meade Gougeon's article on the subject in the fall 2000 edition of Epoxyworks you sent with the plans. I'd like to base it on their designs, but of course there will be differences. For example, their sliding gunter is simply unavailable, and given the fact that there will almost always be two of us in the boat, I'm reluctant to deck it. I'd like to know: given the specifications of Matoaka, is there a standard equation that can tell me where I should place the mast, how tall it should be, how long the boom should be, etc.? If so, how forgiving is that geometry? We had to make a few changes to the Prospector plans because of the manner in which we constructed it; Matoaka is 144" in length, 17" deep at the 0 rib, and has a beam of 36". Can you point me in the direction of someone who knows sailing canoes? Thanks again for all you help. --Brian Tarallo U.S. Peace Corps Dear Bear Mountain, We're at point where we'd like to start marketing to resorts and visitors to Bartica, and possibly to buyers overseas. I'm in the process of making a brochure that describes the construction process and specifics of the boat, and I'd like to credit Bear Mountain with the design. Will you give me your permission to include your name and website in the brochure? I'll of course send you a copy of it once it's finished. Thanks again. --Brian Tarallo U. S. Peace Corps Hello!  Well, it a took a while, but here are the pictures of the Freedom 17,
we did in you September 2001 class. I got it home with no problem.
That Sunday I went sight seeing through Arcadia National Park and the
started home. I was originally going to spend an extra day there
doing some hiking, but since I had the boat I decided to head
straight on home rather than risk leaving it unattended on top of the
car. Lucky thing, because I ended up going through New York and
Washington, D.C> on Monday, the dat before the World Trade Center
attack rather than Tuesday, like I originally planned. I put four
coats of varnish and it really looks good. There are a couple of
small places where I meesed up but the whole impression of the
varnished boat is so dazzling that no one would ever notice and I
don't point it out to them. People that see it are really impressed.
It is a great conversation starter also. As you can see I actually
get it in the water. I put a center seat in so I can paddle it solo.
I am really pleased with the way it paddles. I have a 15' Dagger that
I have used on river trips and messing around the lake. I don't know
whether it is because the wooden boat is stiffer or because of the
shape or whatever, but the Freeom paddles way much easoer and faster
than the Dagger. It seems to have a really nice glide.
Thanks again for the class. I probably had less woodworking
background than anyone else in the class but thoroughly enjoyed it
and learned a lot. Hopefully I can do one by myself now. I am
starting a rowind wherry from one of Chris's kits then I hope to do
either your Rob Roy or one of your kayaks later this year.Ray Karnes I received the plans for my Endeavour Sea Kayak early in January, via Duck Flat Water Wooden Boats in South Australia. I live in Jurien Bay, north of Perth, W.A., about 170 mile. It is a small town and base for about 30 or so lobster boats. So, as you can see Bear Mountain Boats have come a long way. I recently retired and have joing the W.A., Sea Kayak Club. I am a carpenter by trade, but have been associated with boat building and fit-outs for the past 35 years. I hope I can do presentable job of the Endeavour. I will try and send photos with the progress. Thanks. Laurie Fuller. Hello! I have been wanting to write to you, just to tell you how much we have appreciated the book you wrote on canoe building. About three and a half years ago, our son Andrew told me that he wanted to build a canoe. We went to the library and found your book. After reading through the book, we discussed with the school shop teacher whether he thought this project was a project that could be done in the school woodworking class. He gave us the go ahead, and Andrew started drafting the pattern for the station molds in his junior year of high school. He made the RedBird pattern. The shop teacher, Mr. Reed, helped him obtain a telephone pole and get it milled into strips. Andrew's project continued through his senior year, and he finally completed the canoe last June, the day before he and his five friends left for a week long Boundary Waters Canoe Trip. Andrew's friend, Joel Frazee, used the same strong back and station molds to build his canoe. Now our son Benjamin, who is a senior this year is using the same trong back and station molds to build a canoe as well. As parents, we are so glad that our sons have been able to use their time productively and creatively, that they have learned so much in the process, and that the end result is a beautiful piece of wokmanship that they will use and enjoy their entire lives. I wish I had some better photographs to show you, but at least I thought I could send you this clipping from the local newspaper describing Andrew's and Joel's canoes. Thank you for writing you book and teaching our sons the wonderful art of canoe building. It inspires us to know that you have been able to create a lifetime vocation out of canoe building. Even though our sons may only build canoes for a hobby, it certainly has enriched their lives to do so. With sincere appreciation, Carol and Dave Aselsen  This is the canoe I told you about, my first canoe ever.Material: Bass wood/walnut trim Hiawatha 15'. This canoe is a blue ribon winner in the 1994 Georgia National Fair. I made it from the plans in the 1990 Canoecraft edition. I am beginning to build a Rob Roy from the plans in the 2000 edition of Canoecraft. Thanks! Harry Molz I have been reading and re-reading KayakCraft for the past two years and CanoeCraft for the past three as I have worked on wooden boats for our family. I've gotten to know Building the Bear Mountain Canoe, complete with Daisy's cameo as well. My first wilderness experience prompted me to invest in the gear involved in bringing our family of four closer to nature, on nature's terms. After reviewing Canoe and Kayak Magazine's, 1999 product edition, I realized that I might be able to build a boat as good as any of those maufactured, except maybe those made by Blue Water Canoes of Ontario. I'm now involved in our third wooden boat. Many of our friends and family who see thtwo projects I've completed and the enthusiasm with which I apprach the current porject invariably make th comment concerning monetary gain from wooden boat building. My response is usually a laugh as I have so little experience with the craft. It also reminds me of your experiences, ". . . getting into Mother Earth News." I am deeply satisfied simply to get through each stage of construction. These project have been a family endeavour, just as you point out in you acknowledgements in KayakCraft. These projects have an effect on our girls, (6 and 4 years old), as they run around at Grandma's, in and out and around the "shop" (my mom's garage). As I was building our Freedom 17-9 my oldest, then 3, said " Daddy, you're really smart." I asked why she thought that, and she said it was because I could make a boat. I told her it is lucky I know how to read because then I could learn how to do anything. She now reads and the 2nd grade level. These projects give me an opprotunity to check in on my mom, since I'm building these boats in her garage, I stop in often, cut her grass, shovel her walk. She lives across town from us am I'm not sure I would find time to check on her as often. Taking the girls with me to wokr on boats also relives my partner from some of the child care duties and gives her a break. We are some of the many, for whom building a boat was a pivotal point in thier lives. Paddling adds a whole universe of opprotunity for bringing us closer as a family. You have been and continue to be an inspiration. You approach to wooden boat building and instruction, indeed the glimpse of you approach to life as reflected in your writing is a harmonious and admirable way. One which I can relate to. I felt compelled to write, because I doubt that you could have affected so many lives as effectively if you life ourney had been diffrerent. Thank you. SIncerely, William F. Cruz It's November 18th, and I launched my Resolute. It is cypress, cedar and cherry trim. It was a real joy building. naturally, I made any number of bone head mistakes. I was able to get some medium density particle board at half price. It doesn't hold screws well and the strongback became moldy. I will probably start another boat soon but I am going to pitch the strong back and the molds and start from scratch. Part of the pleasure in building has been the response. I had a regular gang that would come over on a regular basis to check my progress. Years ago I was friendly and did some cruising with a very fine sculptor. He tol  d me that he was able to tell the effect of his
work on other people by a simple process. He would watch them around
the piece and if they really liked it, they would begin to touch and
gently rub it. This has been the case with you design. People will
come to look and unconsciously begin stroking the boat.
As I progressed it occurred to me that I hadn't been in a kayak for over thirty years. While I was enjoying the immediate experience of building, it did seem sensible that I go for a kayak ride to see if I could still get in one and would enjoy paddling. Over in Vero Beach, Florida, there is a nice couple that run a kayak shop, Kayak Etc.,. I rented a kayak and with another friend and one of the owners, went for a three hour paddle. It was great. When I was almost finished with the boat, I put it on the car and took it over to get a seat pad, PFD, paddle and some other stuff. The owner was enthused enough that he was so interested in the boat then in the sale. He rang up the bill and I paid him. I looked at the bill and asked him if he had charged me enough. " Damn, I forgot the paddle." I paid him and asked if he was sure that everything was now paid for. "Damn, I forgot to charge you for the PFD." He also told me that I really should take the plastic brackets, that hold the bungee cord behind the cockpit, off of the boat and make wooden brackets. On our way home, 40 miles, we stopped at a Lowes, my wife wanted to buy some plants. In no more than a 15 minute period, I had four people come up to look at the boat and make comments. I am not trying to say that I did an outstanding job. I can point out any number of flaws. But the beauty of line and the nature of construction are natural attractants. You will notice that one of the pictures has a Greenland paddle, made out of a fir 2x4 that I've had up on the rafters for some years. It will be interesting to try using it. I really should say, a Greenland type paddle, seeing I've never really seen or handled one. I just got the information off of the internet. I have yet to use the kayak. Between my wife having major back surgery and our son totaling his car, the last three months have been a little wild. All is going well and I will probably be travelling on the Indian River on Dec. 8th. Son wants to go fly fishing. I don't know if it was wise but I used 3oz cloth on the boat. On the interior I overlapped it about 6 inches on the keel. I did it because I was concerned about the weight of the cypress; Best Regards, Walter C. Jolly  The pictures following, show that finished Rob Roy, canoe. It is 11
1/2 feet and weighs 31 pounds. I removed the middle three forms (5, 6
& 7) and fashioned a new form to fit into station 6. By moving all
the other forms in 1 step toward the center, the canoe ended up
shorter. It is finished on the outside with 5 oz cloth and on the
inside bottom only with 5oz cloth. The stem pieces, thwart, and
splash rails are made from laminated oak.It carries 150 pounds with about 6" of freeboard. At 230 pounds it only has 4" of freeboard. My only concern is it is a very tippy boat, definitely not for beginners. On the good side, it can be easily paddled all day with a double ended paddle. It is a beautiful boat and I hope to build others. Thank you Doug Robertson 
Here are the pictures I spoke to you about sending. Some strip
wrenches are shown on the last picture. The straps that I use keep
the strips true to the form when I get a little too aggressive with
the peg. Later, you don't even need a C block or wedge. Just use a
small 2" clamp to hold the strap next to the form and shove the peg
in the space between the strap and the strip.David Melvin  Here are some photos to add to your website. I am also sending a royalty payment, as I have sold some canoes from your plans. I will attempt to identify the photos I have sent. On the shore of the beautiful lake is a 16' Prospector. The lone canoe on the wooden stand is my award winning 15' Bob's Special The Kayak/Canoe display photo shows from top to bottom, a Pygmy Osprey Standard, a 17' Freedom, and a 16' Prospector with a Bob's Special to one side. I hope you all enjoy the photos!! Doug Berthelsen Here's my first impressions of the boat, after a quick paddle at Fairy Lake in Acton. -seat is comfortable and works well with the foot brace -sliding seat works well to trim the boat 
-we misjudged the length of the foot brace. I need to drill some more holes in the stick (and maybe cut some excess off) before Phyllis will be able to reach. I found that my legs were most comfortable in a more bent position, compared to how we measured it in the shop.-the boat accellerates quickly and really responds well to a good forward stroke -as expected it tracks well, but it turns okay too. -I paddled it flat when going straight -tilting into the turns speeded up the turns -I felt quit comfortable in the boat; it didn't feel unstable at all -there was no wind, I would guess that with the length of the boat, a cross wind could be a challenge -I have to get used to the amount of tumblehome. I found at times the blade of my paddle would hit the hull on my forward stroke -overall: it's a fun boat to paddle. I think it would be a great boat to use to do a paddling work-out with I'll let you know how it works with a bit of a load, and longer days of paddling after this weekend. Cheers, Glenn I took the solo 17 up to Algonquin with Wade and his son's hockey team - 8 kids and 8 adults. We went in on the Tim River and came out on Magenetawan Lake. The boat handled well in the twisty bits, although I needed a lot of cross draw strokes to pull the tight left hand turns. 
We had a couple breezy sections on the lakes on Friday and Sunday. The boat handles extremely well straight into the wind, going straight through small rollers. Going with the wind at my side, I had a few splashes coming over the gunnels, but nothing serious. I had to play a bit with the pack position and seat position to trim the boat to keep it from swinging around in the wind.
I found the seating position to be okay. I had no problems paddling for a few hours at a time. Wade tried the boat for a short time, and found that his lower back and thighs did not like the seating/paddling position. I need to make a couple of changes: I need to add some bracing on the seat mount to support the back of the seat a bit more. If I'm right at the back of the seat, it flexes a bit - I don't think the four mounting screws will take much of that. The other thing is the carrying stick - I think I need to put some stops on the underside of the gunnels to keep the stick from shifting. It worked okay the way it was, but it did pop out of position a couple of times. I also need to make the carrying surface further away from the seat - my head was hitting the seat. I think if I hadn't cut the curve on the wrong side of my prototype stick it would have been okay. When it a good time for me to bring the boat back into the shop? I can't remember what dates you are closed. Glenn. PS: Too bad that when the pictures were taken, nobody told me my pack strap was hanging over the gunnel. 
HelloWell, we finally launched Caroles' kayak on June 3,2002. All went well, no one did an Eskimo roll, it didn't leak and best of all Carole loves it. I must say that it turned out quite well. For that I thank you !!! Your book was an excellent guide and I have thanked the both of you more than once for the experience of building such a beautiful classic craft. ( I thank Joan for taking Carole sea kayaking and giving her the bug to have a sea kayak). I am now going to relax a bit and anticipate the next project. All The Best, Joel Perkins I launched my 17-3 Bob's Special (JennyB) on October 12, 2001. It took me nearly 9 months to complete but it was worth the wait. It is the only boat I have built.  It was made from western red cedar with ash trim. Accent stripe
is bass wood and walnut. I was fortunate in that when I bought the wood,
the sales person asked what it was for. He picked out a dark plank that made
a great accent banding that fades out near the water line. It was assembled
without staples. It's rigged for fishing solo and it works well. It's stable
enough to take Granny out for a ride. It does not need much trim to ride
solo. I built the seats a bit close together for better handling when
paddled solo since I often go by myself. I am always amazed at the
complements I get from strangers, at gas stations, bait shops, and any where
I stop with it. I would like to thank everyone on the bulleton board for
helping me with the project. I could not have done it without you and the
book Canoe Craft.
When I ordered plans for the Chaa Creek today, you mentioned that you'd be interested in pictures. I've attached several pictures of the boats that I've built either from your plans or scaled from the lines in one of your books. I've been looking at the Chaa Creek design for a while. My brother, two of my sisters and I have been taking 3 day canoe trips on the Minnesota River with our children for the past few years. I'm 6'6" and 250 lb, my brother is 6'4" and 275 lb and the kids are catching up with us. The "Liz and Isaac preparing to spill" picture is a picture of my daughter (5'10") and my nephew (6'4") in the redwood Freedom 17-9 that I built from your plans in 1995 (using the first edition of CanoeCraft as a reference). The Freedom 17-9 looks like a big boat until you put 2 Vermeersch children in it. The 14 ft venture pictures are from a boat that I built from the lines in KayakCraft. The only modification I made to this one was to lengthen the cockpit. It's the right size boat for my son (age 11) now and my wife inherits it when he outgrows it (the pictures are with my wife, Pat). It is made with white cedar with mahogany trim. The weight came in under 40 lb (we use air bags or dry bags, no hatches or bulkheads). The cat2 picture is a scaled version of the 17 ft kayak in KayakCraft. I scaled the beam out to 25 inches and enlarged the cockpit. This is the boat that I built with my daughter Catherine (her birthday present was the plans). This boat has a red cedar hull and a white cedar deck with a red cedar border and oak trim. Last summer she paddled it ~70 miles and she really likes it. My brother built a canoe based on the B.N. Morris 17' 1" (Wooden Boat plan). He stretched the length to 22 ft and added ~3 in of depth. He built it out of white cedar with mahogany trim. That's the boat in "Pat and Tom ready to launch" (he also has his 8 ft paddle in that picture). He also designed and built a 22 ft triple kayak. Both of his boats weigh ~100 lb, but the bottom of his canoe is 3 layers of 1/4" strips with two layers of 6 oz glass on the outside of the hull. It doesn't flex, ever. He's a brick outhouse kind of guy. The other picture is an "in progress" picture of a redwood kayak that I'm building for myself. I scaled the 17 ft kayak from KayakCraft up by 6% in all three directions and then raised the deck 2 in (I have size 16 shoes). (you didn't have the 19 ft kayak on your website yet when I started) I'm making it out of redwood. I was able to get a clear 2x8 20 ft long. I marked the board faces before I cut it and then book matched the strips. I got most of the hull out of one board and all of the deck (except the border) out of another. I'm in the process of cockpit fabrication, so I have a few weeks of work left. So far, so good. Will send pictures of my kayak and the Chaa Creek when they're done. Your books and plans are great, especially Ted's fiberglassing procedure. mike v Thank you for your advice. I have gone ahead and ordered the plans for a Nomad 17 .... the blurb suggested that the hull shape might make construction a little easier and it looked a beautiful shape overall. Just to let you know that I got a 'security alert' message when I went to fill in my payment and credit card details. It was something about authorization licence expired for the secure server - I can't remember the exact wording and I must admit that I ignored it and completed my order with you (hopefully with success!). However, I thought I should just inform you in case it is meaningful. All the best, Mark Hi Ted and Joan, 
As you suggested, I am re-requesting your maintenance notes for strip boats like the ones in the accompanying photo.I would like to add that when you publish books and plans, you should include a warning that cedar-strip boat building is highly addictive. I just can't get enough! When people ask me how many hours of work went into a canoe or kayak, I say zero hours of work, hundreds of hours of pleasure which continues with each paddle stroke. While I was driving to a local pond to test my first boat (Hiawatha) I was constantly thinking of the "defects" and "not so perfect spots" that were unavoidable during the construction, but with just one stroke of my home-made paddle just one word left my lips, PERFECT! Thank you for such informative books, plans and of course your web site. Bye for now. Glen Smith  I was just out in the yard when I looked up and saw a canoe falling out of the sky. I put one hand up and caught it as Carol took a picture. Check it out. Fran Cyr 
My name is Ernie Letendre And I live in Dalmeny Sask. I have recently Built a Hiawatha and then a Ranger from the book Canoe Craft and enjoyed it thourly I am thinking of building a prospector next. I was looking at your photo galery and see the beautifull boats that have been built by you and your customers i asume. just thought i might send you a pic of my ranger as i am quite proud of how it turned out and it is the only boat that I have digital pics of.
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Dear Ted, 
Attached is a picture of the finished product - I got a
great fit on the one piece hatch cover combing for the inside and
out - used a special kind of wood so I did not have to make the
4-piece units as suggested - much easier as the 4-piece units were
not going well - very messy and not very solid - I am very happy
with the finished product notwithstanding my poor varnish job -
hope to meet you again - keep up the great work
This photo shows a group of builders from Renfrew ON who got
together last winter to build all these kayaks, canoes and boats from
Bear Mountain plans - with the assistance of Al Witham. The builders
are Ez Valliquette, Larry Polk, John Collins, Al Witham, John
Humphries and Peter Bennett.
This photo is of Al and Tricia Witham of Renfrew ON
rowing the 16 ft. Stoney Lake Skiff Al built from Bear Mountain
Plans last year.
My brother, Nick, and I were your students at wooden boat school 1999 where 2 endeavors came to life. A few years ago Nick built a beautiful Endeavor. I wanted a solo touring canoe suitable for boundary waters canoe area in Minnesota. After almost no comparison shopping I decided on the Steve Killing designed 17' Solo Tripper. The boat sounded right for the intended use and I wanted to build a Bear Mountain boat.
On our trip home, we stopped in Peterborough just long enough to tour the Canoe Museum. While there I found a 1910 Lakefield "Klondike" canoe of strikingly similar propertions and shape. A small validation, as I had to make up my own plans from scant documentation. I left with the question as to whether Lakefield may have acquired Dean's molds?
They had wanted two boats, but there was just no time, they needed to be in Whitehorse for June 5th. This meant that I had three weeks to design and build an “interpretation” of the canoe. In the end we decided that I would build just one of these sectional canoes; better to do one well and on time than to get screwed on two.
Frantic had wanted an “exact” replica of the original sectional canoes. Theoretically this would have been possible to do. However, no one is set up to build this sort of canoe using original methods and materials anymore as a production item. To do an exact replica would have taken more time to set up for authentic building methods. I determined that I would build a hybrid canoe, one that looks and operates as much as possible as the original, while using some modern materials and methods. I built the cedar hull “stripper” fashion, using a simple mold, and fiberglassing the exterior. After the inside was sanded smooth, I installed an inner keelson, and then steambeant in Oak ribs, which were clench nailed to the hull as the originals would have been. The rest of the trim was installed, following the original as much as possible. With one exception, the original would have been a rib and batten construction, the battens backing up the planking seams on the inside. I ran out of time and left the battens out. The boat was painted grey on the inside and outside, and the trim was left natural, with only an oil finish applied.
Hi Ted/Joan:
When I launched my Ranger last spring, I had the best
of intentions to let you know how it turned out, and
say thanks. I didn't get around to it, but with the
addition of a scanner to our household this Christmas,
I have become re-motivated.
Hello, my name is Bob Linton.
Hello Ted,
In March of 2003 I bought a new copy of Canoecraft and started a 15 ft Ranger.I completed it in June and have paddled it quite a bit over the summer and fall.I built the Ranger because of the availability of 16 ft lumber.The boat paddles nice,is very stable and carries a good load.I live in upstate New York a couple of hours from the St Regis Wilderness area in the Adirondack Park and it is a canoe paradise.My wife and I have made 3 trips to this area this Fall with our Ranger and love it.Thanks Bearmountain for making this possible.I've attached a couple of pictures of our Ranger on the shore of Follensby Clear Pond.
I finished this a couple of years ago, and I have enjoyed it immensely. It seems very light, so at the tender age of 56 I can load, unload, store and all that by myself with ease. Tracks beautifully. Picture is in Upper Sardine Lake, Lakes Basin Recreation Area in California. Thanks for the nice plans!!! Pic doesn't show it very well but the seats were slightly contoured with the same teakettle and PVC pipe I used for the stem, then woven.
Enclosed is a picture of the boat I completed from your book and "Nomad" plans. I purchased the book in '87 and finished the boat last year. (The boat only took 5 months to build, the dreaming about it took 16 years...) My family and I took it to the Boundary Waters this summer where it performed better than my expectations. It is a great, stable, and quick boat that took a huge load and drew lots of compliments. Thank you for providing the top quality book and plans.
Hello... thought you might like to add this photo to your photo gallery. This Rob Roy was built by my dad (Gary Toffelmire) using your plans. I just moved into a townhouse, and don't have a garage, so the canoe is now stored in my living room... and doubles as art work.
Ted and Joan,
Hello again,
I'd like to thank you for the very helpful advice and instruction you have given me through your three books. And I wanted you to know that you have stirred up a creative part of me that I didn't know was there. I have always worked in wood but never felt such pride and satisfaction as when I first placed the finished canoe in the water.
I also used glue blocks with hot glue instead of screws to hold the sheer clamp in place. It took some careful maneuvering to make sure the sheer clamp would come off...
in an ungentlemanly way he would have to wear a pink hat for the rest of the day. This kept us in the right frame of mind and the boat came out beautifully.
I think the problem of warping deserves a chapter of its own in your building manual as amateur builders often have workshops that are not properly heated or insulated and so have problems of a similar nature.
It was a bit of a challenge to align everything and have the end of the planks fit perfectly against the covering board.