8 Pound Canoe Build

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[chukmil]

That type of boat was developed by Platt Monfort. I built a 12' "Nimrod" designed by Platt in 1990. He called the construction "Geodesic Airolite" His had diagonal strands of kevlar over the frame and under the Dacron skin. You can find Dacron at Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co. You can put two layers of Dacron with the weave running diagonal to one another to create a tougher more "rip-stop" covering. Mine now hangs in my wife's office and looks pretty cool. Fun little boats and quick and easy to build.

[airplanegeorge]

built one of them from scratch about 30 years ago, 12 foot, 13 lbs. I put a couple thin wood slats on the bottom where you step and kneel. It was so light it flew out the back of a horse trailer on a long transport. I'll bet someone on the pa turnpike got a big surprise that day. all I saw was after 300 miles, no boat.

[yorhedasplode]

I remember watching this video years ago and thinking it would never work and boats like this would be too weak. Now I build almost identical but larger canoes for a living. We use artificial sinew to lash together every stringer and rib joint, we've found this helps hold it together when it hits a rock or something. But overall these type of boat are really amazing and much tougher than you would think.

[chelseamilller]

The boat is beautiful, the creek even more so. Looks like southern Apalachia.

[Kevin_]

Neat design and work. I have experience steaming spruce strips to form wing tip bows for antique aircraft. Also aircraft coatings would work well on the dacron, a little more expensive but also repairable.

[durlydurl]

Good times, beautiful lines. Before you said your friend is using it as a Chinese lantern I was already thinking it looked like a Asian screen/room divider. Another great project, thanks for posting. I might just give this a try on the local river.

[louisemissouri]

It really reminds me of a birch bark boat. Beautiful. :)

[OverlandOne]

Beautiful! That is a cool canoe and a work of art. Excellent video...very well explained.

[WV]

So lucky to be living in a place like that.

[kleinjahr]

Nice Sweet Pea. Airolite does have some nice skin on frame designs. Historically, skin on frame goes back to umiaks, curraghs and coracles. They've been covered with everything from hides to canvas and even paper. You can even use duct tape.

[MrJAMESBOND]

Thanks! I was looking for a way to make a lightweight body at home for a 'Velomobile', a little car propelled by a person's pedalling. I already have the recumbent trike, but I want a fairly cheap way to keep off the rain, and also to be able to use it during our Canadian winters.

[NMranchhand]

Great little boat. Glad you thought to share it. I wonder, now that you have built a couple of these, if it wouldn't make a great video challenge to see if you could build at least a utilitarian canoe from scratch with native materials. I would be riveted.

[jonessaddle]

Man every time I watch one of your videos I learn something. Thank You for another great video.

[kellycarver]

I think the dacron coated with Spar varnish on a close knit wood frame would make an EXCELLENT GREEN HOUSE. As far as trusting my life in it, nope. Maybe if you mounted floats around the whole rim, or even empty jugs tied around the whole rim. If you've ever been on one of the Great Lakes, you'd understand my concern. Storms and rain kick up fast, and the waves can be three to five easy, and the water is deep. When it's like this, a barge is a better choice. Lol! Your canoe is beautiful, and would be great as a lantern or over my tomatoes come spring.:)

[TonySteinbach]

Awesome work. You remind me of a guy that I watch renovate houses.

[MondoBeno]

I love it. Ironically I have access to the tools and scrap wood on a building site, but no safe place to row it.

[bakedtater]

all i can say is that is cool . ive got a heavy one and i cant handle it myself my girl and i have alot of fun i love paddling!

[hootmanwillie]

I built a couple of kayaks with 10 oz canvas stapling the canvas with stainless steel staples at the gunnels and of course at the ends. You can either paint the canvas or use aeroplane dope painted on ( like they made the wings of a plane on old planes) to make it tighten up and water proof, it will be heavy to carry

[Raineesaint]

This is beautiful. Do you sell them? I'd love to buy one.

[matak]

drill & glue in 1/4" wooden dowels at the cross-joints. It would only add ~ 25 grams