"Dave Smith" wrote in message
...
I understand that people have built Canadian style canoes that join in the
centre. Do you know how the join is made as a friend wishes to build one
but is not sure as to how he can get a watertight strong seal.
Thanks
Dave

Ive seen dinghys made in this way, and it wouldnt be unfeasable to do it
with a canoe. I would think the material would have to be aluminum though,
which is tough and specialised to work with. as long as you got a good true
face on the join, all you would need is a good rubber gasket, and the right
number of fasteners on the join to get a good tight seal. I suppose you
could also make it out of wood and make a custom flange out of steel that
would bolt to each half and then bolt together too, but unless you are very
handy with an oxy torch and a welder you would be looking at some pretty big
$ to have one made for you. Another alternative would be to have someone
draw one up for you, then have it CNC plasma/oxy/waterjett cut, then weld it
yourself or get someone to weld it for you.

There are collapsable canoes out there for sale, some that you can actually
carry in a suitcase. Paul Theroux travelled extensively around the south
pacific with one, and they seem pretty sturdy, but not cheap. The trouble
with making a canoe in two halves is that you'll probably have to
overengineer it making it heavy and not really attractive looking....

Shaun