: I'm new to the world of kayak and Canoe building, but I do need some advice
: on how to build a canoe from scratch. I have a supply of green, uncut
: poplar trees for the frame, and material for the skin, but I have no idea
: how to put them together to make a canoe. Any advice, emailed to me
: preferably, will be appreciated.

: My thanks cyberbase@usa.net

: Anne G

Anne,

Spend about $20 on this book by George Putz. He covers everything and includes plans for making two different sized kayaks. I have recalculated some of the numbers used in his plans to give you a more economical method for cutting the plywood forms (saves about $30, and two hours of labor) You won't understand the numbers without his book, though, so let me know when you've started reading it, and I'll send you the other numbers.

Cut your poplar as soon as you get a chance. It needs to dry before you can work with it. Right after felling the trees split them into halves or quarters so it can dry faster and with little cracking. I've tried using wedges (they are cheap, tiring and waste a lot of wood -- but they work) and a chainsaw (expensive, tiring, wastes wood, dangerous and noisy -- but it works faster and a bit easier than wedges) If you can find a sawmill that will cut your wood for you and the price is reasonable, then strongly consider it.

When it has dried a few weeks you can easily flake off the bark so that it can dry faster. You will need some time and tools to turn this into usable materials. I started something along that line two years ago and I may be able to show some pictures of how I progress if I get into doing more with it this summer.

Clark Craft ( www.clarkcraft.com) has a catalog for $5 which has descriptions of about a dozen plans for home-built, canvas-covered boats. My old price list has most of thes plans listed at $26. I don't know if that price has gone up in the past few years or not, but it is a reasonable price. You get full sized patterns for plywood parts ( if any) and a list of all materials needed so you can go around and shop for the parts, or decide how wide and thick to cut planks from your poplars for the best results.

There are several free plans and designs floating around on the internet, too, but I would not recommend these for a first time builder, as they usually have no additional building information attached, so you waste time and materials, and get frustrated. Build one boat from detailed plans first and you'll be able to see how other designs go together much more easily. A single tree should give you enough wood for two or more boats, so you will probably be building a second one soon. These things tend to be addictive.

Hope this helps you to at least get started.

Paul G. Jacobson