Canoe Plans in Traditional and Modern Styles,

The Best Canoe Plans Reviewed

If you are thinking of purchasing plans for a canoe, there are many different options available. If you have never constructed a canoe before, it’s very different from building a regular boat or ship. In the absence of the keel, which is the structural backbone of most water vessels, you may wonder how these are actually constructed.

Fortunately, many different companies produce canoe plans that will help you construct one quite rapidly. Here is an overview of how to choose the very best plans for a canoe that you can use on lakes and rivers in your area.

Different Types of Canoes

As you are sifting through the many different plans for canoes, you will see that there are several different types. There are some that are built for solo journeys, whereas others are tandem canoes that are slightly different. You may want to go with the classic form that will improve your overall efficiency when paddling through lakes and streams. There are also those that are designed for anglers, birdwatchers, photographers, and those that can accommodate small families.

Which Canoe Should You Choose to Build?

Starting with the solo canoe plans that many people use; these are often the best when it comes to long easy trips to help you glide through the water quickly. They have a low center of gravity, allowing them to behave on demand, and will have narrow beams along with elliptically arched midship profiles.

For those that are anglers, these canoes are built for maximum stability. You will construct one that will be designed to maintain your balance, even if you are bringing your favorite canine with you on your trip. You can choose from the smallest and most versatile units at just 10 feet in length, to the largest ones that are nearly 20 feet and 3 feet wide that are designed for longer trips.

In the tandem series, these are designed to improve paddling efficiency, maximize your ability to carry goods with you, and are very easy to handle. This is because of their asymmetric hull which exhibits exceptional maneuverability, stability, and can help you in regard to tracking. These are perfect for people that would like to travel several miles in a single day on one of these well-designed units.

The Difference Between Canoe Plans and Kits

Although this will be obvious to those who have purchased these before, plans are simply the designs you will use to construct the canoe. Kits actually come with all of the materials needed to build your canoe, along with a materials list, construction plans, a mold backer that is marked, and precut stations to help accelerate the construction process.

You may also have wood fillers, screws, nails, and metal clinching bands along with ribband stock. There will be virtually no difference between the plans included with either option, yet one will be better suited for someone that enjoys do-it-yourself projects.

For those that have experience in cutting lumber, and require very little assistance, the plans will be all that you need. From ten-foot canoes to those that measure twenty feet or more, you can usually obtain these for a very reasonable cost.

What Most Plans Provide for You?

Most of the plans are going to include information about not only building the canoe but also constructing and crafting your very own paddles. This will include both the bow and stern paddle designs; full-size patterns will be included so that you can construct them to exact specifications.

As for the canoes and the lumber that you will need, the designs will provide you with every piece that will be required. That will include exact specifications for the planking, ribs, rails, the deck, seats, and also thwarts. Additional instructions will be provided if you decide to treat the lumber.

They will recommend certain types of oil and preservatives. In the recommendations will also be the tools and supplies that will be needed including power tools, sandpaper, enamel, and the type of finish that you will want to apply before initially gluing everything together.

Finally, the number of stem bands, tax, screws, and fasteners will be listed, helping you to obtain all of your supplies once the plans arrive. Depending upon the characteristics and size of the canoe, you should be able to find all of these supplies from a local home improvement store or a comparable store near you.

What Types of Canoes Are There Plans for?

There are several different types of canoes that you can construct. If this is just for you, then a 10-foot canoe will likely be all that you need. For those that are anglers, or that simply need more room, a 15-foot canoe will be a better choice.

The largest and longest canoes can measure as much as 20 feet in length, and these are considerably more expensive to construct. Even the kits that you can get that will include these plans for canoes are going to be much more elaborate.

Once you have decided on the exact canoe plans that you would like to consider, you should make this decision very carefully. Consider the activities that you want to do, how many people will be with you, and the amount of storage that you have for a canoe at your home.

How Much Do Canoe Plans Cost?

Canoe prices will depend upon the type of canoe that you are building. There are so many different designs to choose from. It also depends on the type of canoe plan package that you decide to choose. Some of them will include full-sized drawings that will show you exactly how to cut the section shape, and the profile, for the hull and other components.

All of them are going to include technical details, as well as specifications, for each and every piece of the canoe. Full-size plans may even come with carbon paper, perfect for tracing exactly where you need to cut, or drill holes, to put everything together.

Modern canoe plans will often come with a DVD, or you will have access to a website where you can watch videos on the entire creation process. Finally, the one that you choose should come from a business that offers exceptional customer support. This will allow you to ask questions when they arise and receive the information that you need to move forward.

What Happens After You Get Your Canoe Plans?

After the plans arrive, if this is your very first canoe, you need to assess everything that comes in that package. You should have a specific area, such as a workshop, where you can begin to lay out all of the plans, designs, materials, and have your tools ready to use.

For example, if you are building a midsized canoe, even these will take up quite a bit of space. You also need room for the construction and preparation of your paddles, so keep all of this in mind before you begin to build your canoe using these plans.

How Long Will It Take to Build a Canoe?

The amount of time that it will take consists of the set-up time, planking, sanding, and the application of the epoxy. There is also the time that it will take to stain the wood, and also sand the epoxy once it has dried. If you are adding protective varnish, usually after the epoxy has fully cured, this will take several hours in most cases.

It is recommended that you use at least four coats of varnish, as well as multiple layers of epoxy, to prevent any potential leakage. Additionally, the amount of time that it will take does not directly reflect the amount of work time that you are spending.

Much of the time that you are waiting has to do with the setup, the preparation of the planks, and other components, as well as how long it will take to dry. For example, it may take up to 15 hours to get everything in its proper place before the construction process begins. You will need to install and cut all of the station molds, and layout all of your plans so that you can do the work.

Planking can take as much as 25 hours, and this depends on the size of the hull, how complex the end curves are going to be, and how long it will take to prepare the stems. However, if you have automated equipment, such as a band saw, this can speed up the process dramatically.

The canoe plans that you choose should be comprehensive. They should include all of the materials that you will need, designs that you can lay out, and clear instructions on each part of the process. This will include how to set up everything, how to prepare and do your planking, plus instruct you on how to use the protective stain and the epoxy.

The length of time it will take to dry everything should also be included. There should be instructions on what tools will be needed. As you assess the different canoe plans that are currently on the market, they should include all of this information to help you build your canoe properly.