Thread: DIY Canoe - Plan advice

Originally Posted by HELLICONIA54

this is my effort,Big? yup.Heavy? yup.50Kg's.but it carries a family lol

LOL quoting myself.There have been mods since her maiden voyage.The seats have been removed now the passengers/crew sit on folding Camp chairs,and i usually sit on the rear deck.Think "open plan".Still very stable with two large adults in chairs.Alot more comfortable for their aging backs.

Originally Posted by PAR

Have you tested the hull for "developed" surfaces yet? How'd those broad strakes look when you did?

Rather then design your own boat, you should pattern it after a known design and make cosmetic alterations, until you understand the nuances of the shapes involved.

What you've drawn in a fairly well burdened "freight train". She'll carry a load and go in a straight line good. If these are the goals of your concept, then you've nailed it. If you'd like a little more maneuverability, maybe an easier to paddle craft, then you should revaluate the profiles and plan of the garboard and broads at the very least.

A bit late for me.I just made,(what i later found out to be)a pirogue.I just wanted a 16 ft " canadian canoe"having paddled these boat for many years,but i lacked skills to make something grander.Mine is a load carrier too.What it lacks in finesse it more than makes up for in versatility.Good luck with yours.Looking forward to seeing your design built.

Originally Posted by HELLICONIA54

this is my effort,Big? yup.Heavy? yup.50Kg's.but it carries a family lol

Hi there what length is your Canoe? I want to build one to fit my two kids, wife and I in as we live next to a river. Is it your own design? Looks great there

Originally Posted by mmixsetup

Hi there what length is your Canoe? I want to build one to fit my two kids, wife and I in as we live next to a river. Is it your own design? Looks great there

That is a lot of persons for a canoe at one time.
I think the word plans might be a bit grand for the way to build one of these "three plank" designs . Basically you take three planks, make two of them pointy, stick them together at the ends (and maybe a small transom if so desired) put something to hold the middle apart so that it is about the width of your third plank at the bottom.
Use the third plank to cover up the hole in the middle. Add gunwales and seats and stuff. Most people these days make the planks by joining plywood.

For a canoe type use the sides are generally in the realm of around a foot to a foot and a half and the bottom around 2 to 3 feet. I am not sure of the point at which it stops being a canoe (pirogue) and starts being a row boat (dory). Length of 8 feet (toy ) to however long you feel like but divisible chunks of half lengths of plywood (8 12 or 16) are a good place to start.

-almost no plan method
Duckworks - A Two-Sheet Pirogue - Part 1
A bit more laid out plan (including seats etc) for lazy weekend canoe which is about the size you might be looking for :
Port of Toledo Community Boathouse
The mathematics behind it and more:
Boatbuilding With a Difference II

Two of first one will cover the family. The second one will be a tight squeeze for the family, or make one of each. The wacky lassie Wacky Lassie: an instant double paddle canoe to be built and used by kids is a popular smaller one, though I must admit I added large air/storage boxes to the end of mine rather than pool noodles after I read up on how much floatation is needed in a capsize.


The Mik Storer Quick canoe is a similar design with finishing touches to make it slightly better in terms of speed and handling.

Another tip is to build it in cardboard at 1 inch = one foot or 1cm = 10cm- the toy chest will then be a spot to look for Power ranger action figures to scale which is important. The Lazy weekend canoe for example, would have no problem with the weight of 4 people but may have a problem with where they are going to put their arms and legs and the esky might have to get towed behind.


Also check out Gav Atkins free mouse boat family of designs for a canoe like family fun boat.

Duckworks Boatbuilders Supply

Originally Posted by titchtheclown

Basically you take three planks, make two of them pointy, stick them together at the ends (and maybe a small transom if so desired) put something to hold the middle apart so that it is about the width of your third plank at the bottom.
Use the third plank to cover up the hole in the middle. Add gunwales and seats and stuff.

Love the Boatbuilding 101.

Originally Posted by mmixsetup

Hi there what length is your Canoe? I want to build one to fit my two kids, wife and I in as we live next to a river. Is it your own design? Looks great there

My canoe is 17' long by 3' wide and 15" deep.Weighs 50Kg's I used 9.mm ply for the floor,6.5mm for the sides It will carry 4 adults with 6' freeboard (large adults) I've had a few children stand in her,in fact i often paddle standing up.I used no plans.Built it as i went along, MAKING MY PIROGUE - YouTube Shows how i built it.

Originally Posted by titchtheclown

Add gunwales and seats and stuff.

I particularly like the correct use of technical terminology