Jimmy DiResta's Ranger 15 Build

If you pride yourself on being handy, Jimmy DiResta is the ultimate role model. From woodworking to welding to smithing he can make pretty much anything, and that's before counting his artistic output as a TV, YouTube, and podcast presenter. Even if his name is unfamiliar, you may have seen his work as a videographer on our Canoecraft Companion Video with Nick Offerman.

With a CV like that it was only a matter of time before Jimmy built a canoe of his own. When an opening in his schedule came up we gave him a Ranger 15 kit, and he began documenting the building process on his Instagram account. From May to December he worked on his canoe, cutting the forms on his CNC machine and picking up experience with new skills like fibreglass layup.

The finished product launched at the flagship store of co-sponsor Filson in NYC, where it will live before heading to Filson's Boston location. You can check out a few shots of the finished product below, but perhaps the best record of the project is Jimmy's video diary of the build. Filmed in his signature style, you'll see all the stages condensed into a mesmerizing half hour.

Watch the video in the embedded player above, or catch it over to YouTube. All of us at Bear Mountain would like to extend our thanks to Jimmy for his generosity, enthusiasm, and inspiring work ethic!