Skin on Frame Canoe Testing Results: 4 1/2 months in Mexico!

We're finally back at the shop after 4.5 months in Mexico. This video is a detailed review of the performance and durability of every part of the our Skin on Frame Canoe. Enjoy.

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[TuanLe-korm]

I’m so impressed with the qualities of your products. If only more young people would get into it. These are such useful skills.

[nicholasdavis]

I love these videos critically talking about what works and doesn’t work. I’m super excited about a tandem fishing canoe build.

[qaannat]

That F1 I just reskinned for Ginger was ~15 years old. The frame was in great shape, but she does store it in a garage. No rot, no rib collapse.

[Gillesgip]

Wow! Very nice. Ive watched your trip, been looking forward to this conclusion. Thank you for sharing.

[jamesdim]

A few seconds in and I'm already impressed by how durable it seems dragging it on rocks!

[brucekjesbo]

Loved your Baja videos! Following these post-trip summaries with great interest. You and Liz rock!

[JohnWBarry-mlmw]

Great test report Brian. My LPB (kayak) is in its 15th season and the skin/coating shows almost no wear. I have paddled between 50-102 days per year but put in on concrete boat ramps, so no dragging. I’ve paddled over a number of submerged rocks and trees with not more than a light scuff. Back in 2010 we used acid dye and a single coat of PU with a hard plastic spreader. After 5 years I added one more coat. Funny that my Aztec(?) gold acid dye looks the same color as your canoe. Loved your fishing videos!

[YdocFrench]

Thank you for putting such detail into these videos. I find them very resourceful even when not particularly relative to projects I'm working on. There are just so many nuggets of information to be picked up. We spoke in an email this past week about your outrigger and I really appreciate the help. Such a valuable resource in this area. I am curious what you think about making an outrigger skin on frame style? I believe you made a replica Polynesian outrigger canoe for an organization that used this method?

[adamkelly]

not surprised at all by the skin durability, the boat I built with you years ago still looks new although to be fair I don't drag it over rocks.

[macrumpton]

I would be tempted to make a wheel or pair of wheels that fits into the pedal drive hole to make land transport easier.

[senfdame]

What about that lashing at 14:39 in the bottom right corner? Looks torn

[MWodenberg]

A decade or so ago I built a 15 ft canoe -umiak construction- and installed a Mirage drive. I find it has exceptional control at all angles of wind, I just point and go. I am puzzled why yours does not. My bottom does have a bit more V to it than yours.

[freedomspyder]

I read some surfers were killed on the baja side not too long a go. Though I believe they caught the murderers.

[kentowakai]

Hope you get to write the whole trip off in your taxes.