(There is an index for this monster thread that Biting Midge was kicking off here - it is just down this page or you can click here
And the Peter's Eureka Canoe website is here with more detail. Also the Eureka is a simple to build conventional canoe. I did do an experiment with something crazy simple - the Quick Canoe - the discussion is here http://www.woodworkforums.com/f169/d...g-pics-109997/ If you are after a "proper" canoe then the Eureka might suit your needs, but if you want a really simple to build fun canoe that still works the Quick Canoe)
BOATMIK)

The boat bit of this forum is curious...lots of visits but few posts!

After promising him for about three years that I'd prototype the panel development for him, Adelaide based designer Michael Storer has finally given up and pai a visit! Soooo after spending most of yesterday sailing my Goat Island Skiff in the Mooloola River, we got to in the shed and built a quarter of a canoe!!

The Eureka 5 (I think that's it's current name) will be the new version of the 16 foot version of Michael's 12 foot Eureka Canoe, and I have to say it looks pretty darned good!!

Basically it's a very simple to build five-panel/two sheets of plywood 16 footer, and as usual Michael has been able to squeeze maximum "bang for your buck" out of a very simple construction method. It will be built using the stitch and tape method with no frames required (those shown are just to hold up our prototype while we mucked around tuning the panels) and should be very quick and easy to build.(Which is just as well, because I have a very short attention span!!)

The compound curves on the bow/stern section are both pretty and provide plenty of stiffness to the structure.

Pictures show

1) Storer looking as perplexed as all do when watching me work; a very rare site indeed, and judging by the expression I am about to cut something.
2)Front/rear view -note that the stem will be only two sheets of ply thick, the photo shows a temporary form as well as the hull panel.
3) Side elevation- well one half anyway, but we know the panels fit really nicely now. (being leant on by yours truly. Note dust extraction ducting on the floor rather than connected to machinery!!! (sigh!).

I hope to finish the real one by Christmas (!) and probably will get it done before the dust extraction system at the rate that is happening!

For further information, email Michael direct at the address shown on the pic, PM me...or watch this space for progress!

Cheers,

P
Building boats again and happy!

Attached Thumbnails

 

Looks good, I shall continue to "watch this space"...........................

ahah!!! the half a canoe! not a wonder hes lookin like a startled mullet

Didnt he mention that you are meant to have a whole canoe mate?... eeerr remember water? that wet stuff that the canoe is meant to keep out? well you better get the bum end done!!

Actually lookin good! Ive been giving some serious thought to a ply panel canoe again {I built a 6 hour canoe a year ago} since these strippers like the ones Ive been muckin with for the last year and getting utterly frustrated with time and again... so maybe its time I got stuck in and built one of these things

Ahem! I shall build the whole canoe unlike someone we know who likes to build HALF a canoe and think he can get away with it

Good on yer mate!

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Believe me there IS life beyond marriage!!! Relax breathe and smile learn to laugh again from the heart so it reaches the eyes!!

Midge
I got halfway through building a boat once too.

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Cheers
Jim

"I see dumb peope!"

Only once?

That's why I don't start big ones! Once a boat gets to the point where it takes up space it becomes a project (see other threads on the difference!) rather than a hobby. They are too big to make excuses for!

My two foot skiff replica is the exception though - took seven years, but it always was at an "interesting" stage. The planked hull hung over my drawing board for a couple of them...

I was going to get into the Eureka in October, but daughter #3 has announced her engagement, so it looks like wedding plans and girly stuff may prevail once again.

We'll see!!

Cheers,

P

Just to make things curiouser and curiouser - The only canoe I seem to be able to make takes micro seconds and is made of barbed wire up the proverbial creek

Let me know if you need help

Jamie

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I've had the worst - it's all easy sh&% now

I've already had a crack at that one a few times, best thing about it is you don't need to make a paddle!



P

Well there's swags of Eureka news, but none of it involves me starting.

Well actually I have indeed taken the mold apart and am sort of ready to start, and no girls planning to marry, so it's looking a bit promising for a start in Septemberish..... but...

Storer's got a Eureka page on his website Michael Storer Design with some pics of a finished 13 footer and a copy of his article in the current Australian Amateur Boatbuilder.

Maybe some of you blokes should get a set of plans and we can have a UBeaut canoe build-off??

Cheers,

P

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How would you rate your chances of winning such a contest?

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Dan

He'd have no show Dan. As the photos show, he can only build the front bit

Richard

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Striding fearlessly where those with more sense fear to tread

You blokes are sooooo cruel!

I reckon if there was a contest on, I'd be up there on the podium!

Machismo is a wonderful thing!

P

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Is he the bloke you've hired to build the back half :confused:

Richard

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Striding fearlessly where those with more sense fear to tread

Midge, Once you build the other half can you tell me which one is easier to build - I can then recommend that everyone starts with that one.

Boatmik - still looking perplexed

INDEX FOR THIS MONSTER EUREKA THREAD - MILESTONES

• Marking out the plywood and cutting
• Joining up the Prefabricated panels and starting stitching
• Filleting on the inside of the Eureka Canoethe tidy way
• Marking out the canoe bulkheads
• Getting ready to put the decks in place - I feel Peter's pain and change the plans
• Doing Peter's neat curved end inwale spacers - very cool Mr H.
• Free Paddle Plans Link
• Storer proves that he is a lazy boatbuilder - but maybe gets it wrong about using glass tape on the inside - people seem to like using fillets
• Playing with seats - we end up moving them around 2.5 to 3" higher later on advice from more experienced canoeists
• Doug's Eureka and the beginning of the stability controversy and his boat weighs in at 56 lbs. - 25.4 kg - when the designer realises that there is not enough control over the width of the boat. So another plan change to prevent the boat becoming narrower than designed. Simple change but needed big help from Doug - Cheers!!!
• Peter's boat - inwale spacers, inwales and his very cool plywood seats
• Peter tidying up his deck structure and centrespreader
• Doug muscles his boat to the correct width. Not necessary anymore because I corrected the plans in Feb 2006
• Peter finally sets up for the end decks - and Michael changes the plan to include a centre stringer in the plan to make it easier for everyone else too.
• Coating and glassing the bottom
• Peter's boat is rushed into the water to check that the stability problem is resolved (later two experienced builders of canoes declare the corrected Eureka to be "stable enough to move around in"
• Beginning of a Paddle discussion about the free paddle plans
• Woodzzzy launches his Eureka - we didn't know about it - coool! - 23kg
• Clare and Peters "all out" lightweight Eureka, thin ply thin glass, paulownia trim and beaut string seats - 15kg (36lbs)
• Walesey buys the plans so his two boys and grandpa can build a Eureka
• Walesey posts first pics EVER of the paddles from the Free Plan
• Another Eureka Plywood Canoe is launched - Peter McKenzie
• AJ's Gorgeous light paddles from the free plan
• The Blue Eureka built on Bribie Island
• Budwana buys the plans and tracks down building materials for the canoe
• Walesey's boat looking rather schmick fully coated with epoxy
• Moose in the USA starts his Eureka
• Walesey's boys fit the end decks and a lot more in the following days
• The boys fit the gunwales - nice work!!!!
• Eureka Launch - Walesey and the boys drop the boat in Jervis Bay - video down the page a little
• Biting Midge (Peter) strikes a blow, being inspired by Walesey and the video - Nice pics Midge! Transitioning the gunwales into the deck.
• Eureka in 3 weeks? PhilW starts his very fast build
• Midge raises his seats and shows off his template for making those cool slots in the seats!!!
• How to get the end decks on - Midge shows pics so PhilW can see how
• Emerald Pete completes the canoe started at the Duckflat Boatbuilding School - looks nice in RED
• NCArcher starts his Eureka in Newcastle
• VIDEO - PhilW launches his Eureka Canoe at Biting Midges - Michael Storer goes for a paddle in a finished Eureka - IT GOES!!!!
• Slovenia Koala's great Eureka Canoe Build
• Slovenia Koala's fits and ACA sailing rig - if you plan to do this speak to me for some small changes to the boat.

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Storer Wooden Boat Plans subforum on UBeaut Woodwork Forums
Boat Plans
Cheap Boat Plan

OR....

Maybe I could just build the front half, add a transom and call it a rowboat???

Time for rowboat thread chaps???


P

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Howdy Midge - thanks for sending the panel layouts - I finally managed to get the step by step plan together.

It looks great too because of the illustrations we had on hand from the smaller boat.

So anyway if you go to http://www.storerboatplans.com/Eureka/Eurekacanoes.html you will find some pics, materials lists and articles about the boat.

Thanks for your help Midge

Boatmik

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Storer Wooden Boat Plans subforum on UBeaut Woodwork Forums
Boat Plans
Cheap Boat Plan