1999
Some Insights in Canoe Building
Four Wood Canoe Construction Methods
by Eugene Preston
Rib and plank, wood strip, lapstrake, and stitch and glue are four methods of canoe construction I have observed over the last three years used by boat builders. The lapstrake and stitch and glue are used to build other types of boats also.
The rib and plank canoe is built with ribs bent crosswise and planks running lengthwise. The planks are clinch nailed to the ribs, and canvas or fiberglass is used to cover the outside of the canoe. It is usually built on a solid frame that has a steel band at each rib location to simplify clinching the nails. It can be built on a frame with stations only but, a clinch iron must be used for each nail. White cedar is the preferred wood due to rot resistance and its flexibility when steamed.
The wood strip canoe is built by gluing wood strips together and covering the inside and outside with fiberglass. Strippers, built on a frame with stations, are probably the most popular method used by amateur builders. White cedar and other woods are used.
The lapstrake canoe is built by overlapping wood strips like clapboards on a house. Each wood strip is called a strake. If natural wood is used, the strips are held together with ribs. A modern variation is to use high quality marine plywood and omit the ribs. The strips are nailed together in conventional construction and are epoxied when plywood is used without ribs. It is built on a frame with stations with narrow strips running lengthwise called ribbands attached to them. The ribbands aid in shaping the strakes. Five to seven strakes are usually used on each side for most canoes. These canoes can be made very light and stiff. They work very well and are efficient on quiet water. This method is used for many other boats as a visit to many harbors along the Maine coast would confirm. Rushton built many of these canoes in New York including the "Wee Lassie" which weighed about two to three pounds.
Stitch and glue canoes or boats are built using plywood. The plywood is cut using a pattern. The pieces are tied together with plastic ties and epoxied together. The ties are cut after the inside is epoxied and the outside is fiberglassed. Epoxy resin is used throughout. This method is fairly rapid and is used for canoes, kayaks and other small boats.
There are many good references available in the libraries. The MCA paddlesport show in Minnesota and the Wooden Canoe Festival in Millinocket, Maine are excellent shows where you can see canoes and even practice skills needed for building.
