Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

James,

I just built one of these while waiting for my order of marine ply to come
in so I can get to work on a Michalak Vamp I;ve been thinking about since
January.

After talking to Richard Frye who built Yakoo, I changed the design
slightly by widening the spread in the center by 2", all other dimensions
are the same. This increased the rocker slightly so I added a 1 1/"4 high
keel full length on the bottom.

As for stability (which is why I made the yakoo change, Richard says it
makes the boat more stable in a turn), I'd agree with what has been said
before, tippier than a canoe. I haven't spent any time in a kayak so I
can't comment there. First couple of times I had it out I just sat on a
cushion, found that very tiring. Bought one of those folding low beach/sand
chairs and use it now, much more comfortable.

I made mine from 5.2mm Virola underlayment plywood from Home Depot, poly
resin, 3" glass tape-- used Bondo for some of the fillets, went to resin and
wood flour when I ran out of Bondo. Coated the inside with resin, decided
not to coat the outside when the weight hit just over 50 lbs-- the keel is
glassed, so that added some weight. Still manageble and easy to get on the
roof rack, but not the 40 lbs listed.

I do think the 7' paddle in the plans would be too short though. Granted,
I increased the beam by 2", but my paddle is 90" and I could use another
foot. Unfortunately, using a double paddle has aggravated a shoulder
impingement I've been fighting for a while (rowing doesn't bother it), so I
don't know how much I'll be using the boat myself-- but it's a fun and
fairly quick build and is fun to use.

I used one coat of Kilz primer and a couple coats of Krylon oil enamel and
it'll be stored outside-- so it's just about worst case scenario for a s&g
boat-- Poly resin, water resistant (not waterproof) ply, stored outside.
We'll see if it falls apart in a couple of years, but this was an experiment
anyway. Looks good (or so everybody tells me). I don't know whether a keel
is really necessary though. It does track straight but isn't all that easy
to turn in tight quarters unless you lean quite a bit. If it were built to
spec that might be better.

Here's a really cheap and cheesy page with some build photos:

http://geocities.com/craicer001/boatpics

No text, anybody who's researched s&g building has seen stuff like this a
million times. Too bad I couldn't find any semi-gloss paint though. I did
repaint the inside with "almond" Krylon after being nearly blinded by the
white gloss the first couple of times out!

Go on a build it, it's a fun boat and even if you use epoxy it's still not
an expensive boat.


Good luck,


Rick
"James W. Sloan" wrote in message
...

all canoes are tippy. you have to get used to using them. like riding a
bike.

Yep...I've managed to roll myself out of a 17 foot aluminum canoe in flat
calm water!


13 ft by 30 inches is normal for a solo canoe. the sides should be about
1
foot high.

OK...I just never had the proportions visualized. I was wondering if this
was close to "normal" for a solo canoe. The sides are cut 1 foot wide with
a
1 3/8 relief for some rocker. Looks like the end result is 10 5/8 high by
the plans, given the nesting on two sheets, I'll add what's available as a
little extra freeboard.

you can email the seller of the plans to ask what the capacity
is at 4" of draft and at 6" of freeboard.

The plans were free from Jaques at bateau.com. I'll check the site for
some
info, I hate to bug the guy on a freebie, especially for such a simple
boat!! What the heck, I'll just put her together and give it a shot. If
its
too tender for me, I'll pass it along to a nephew.

Thanks,

James

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

"Richard Cunningham" wrote in message

I do think the 7' paddle in the plans would be too short though. Granted,
I increased the beam by 2", but my paddle is 90" and I could use another
foot. Unfortunately, using a double paddle has aggravated a shoulder
impingement I've been fighting for a while (rowing doesn't bother it), so I
don't know how much I'll be using the boat myself-- but it's a fun and
fairly quick build and is fun to use.

Using a 90 inch paddle with what is probably a wide grip is what
disturbed the shoulder. Even if you feel strong enough to "push" the
paddle at that length, your shoulder joint (assume you are a human) is
probably not designed for that much leverage, at that angle... Get to
the paddling groups, or just take my word for it for now. Hope you did
not *!@! your shoulder to bad.
Nice boat by the way, good luck with your next build... and there will
be one...
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

"Richard Cunningham" wrote in message

I do think the 7' paddle in the plans would be too short though. Granted,
I increased the beam by 2", but my paddle is 90" and I could use another
foot. Unfortunately, using a double paddle has aggravated a shoulder
impingement I've been fighting for a while (rowing doesn't bother it), so I
don't know how much I'll be using the boat myself-- but it's a fun and
fairly quick build and is fun to use.

Using a 90 inch paddle with what is probably a wide grip is what
disturbed the shoulder. Even if you feel strong enough to "push" the
paddle at that length, your shoulder joint (assume you are a human) is
probably not designed for that much leverage, at that angle... Get to
the paddling groups, or just take my word for it for now. Hope you did
not *!@! your shoulder to bad.
Nice boat by the way, good luck with your next build... and there will
be one...
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

Thanks Scotty,

Yeah, it's hard to say what caused the pain since I also mowed the grass
that day, which always gives me trouble. And you're right, pushing is what
causes the problem.

This Cheap Canoe was boat #2, I built a Steve Lewis LilJon first, and
glued up the butt joints today on a Michalak Vamp. This stuff'll eat your
brain!


Rick
"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...
"Richard Cunningham" wrote in message

I do think the 7' paddle in the plans would be too short though.
Granted,
I increased the beam by 2", but my paddle is 90" and I could use another
foot. Unfortunately, using a double paddle has aggravated a shoulder
impingement I've been fighting for a while (rowing doesn't bother it),
so I
don't know how much I'll be using the boat myself-- but it's a fun and
fairly quick build and is fun to use.

Using a 90 inch paddle with what is probably a wide grip is what
disturbed the shoulder. Even if you feel strong enough to "push" the
paddle at that length, your shoulder joint (assume you are a human) is
probably not designed for that much leverage, at that angle... Get to
the paddling groups, or just take my word for it for now. Hope you did
not *!@! your shoulder to bad.
Nice boat by the way, good luck with your next build... and there will
be one...
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

Well...enough chat I suppose. I'll be off to the lumber store first thing in
the morning to get started! Thanks everyone for the insights and advice.
I'll post as the thing progresses......Hey Jaques, tell me in advance what
the first mistake I'll be making is. I can then move on to the second one
without delay!!!

James

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

In keeping with the "cheap" theme, I picked up some pseudo-luan (meranti) at
Home Depot (I know...I know) and got her all cut out. Seems like the nesting
plan must not be to scale, the seat dimensions are way bigger than the
leftover material on the 2 sheets. Not a problem though...plenty of other
scrap around.

So far, all is well. I did the cutting with a jigsaw that I'd never used
before so, the first cut or two had some extra wave. Thanks goodness for
fillets & tape!!

James


Well...enough chat I suppose. I'll be off to the lumber store first thing
in
the morning to get started! Thanks everyone for the insights and advice.
I'll post as the thing progresses......Hey Jaques, tell me in advance what
the first mistake I'll be making is. I can then move on to the second one
without delay!!!

James

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

"James W. Sloan" wrote in message ...
In keeping with the "cheap" theme, I picked up some pseudo-luan (meranti) at
Home Depot (I know...I know) and got her all cut out. Seems like the nesting
plan must not be to scale, the seat dimensions are way bigger than the
leftover material on the 2 sheets. Not a problem though...plenty of other
scrap around.

So far, all is well. I did the cutting with a jigsaw that I'd never used
before so, the first cut or two had some extra wave. Thanks goodness for
fillets & tape!!

James

I have used the same stuff. I caution to use only that which carries
the sticker which reads, "type III Exterior Merenti". Also be real
careful of the fact that it is one fat center core with two thin skins
at a 90 degree. If there are voids that run the full width of the
part, they must be filled or avoided otherwise the hull tends to snap
right there just like it was a perforated piece of cardboard. If you
are using this stuff, you may want to consider a exterior coating of
very light glass, just to strengthen the outer skin against tearing. I
have used it for a few plugs while testing hull shapes and it holds up
fairly well. I have one that is almost ten years old, but it is
covered in 6 oz glass. I did have one that cracked out during
construction years ago which sat in mud and grass in my side yard for
about 3 years before the unprotected edges started to delaminate.
Anyway good luck, and happy building.
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

James, our plans are deliberately not to scale especially not the PDF ones.
All the dimensions are there, no need to scale anything from the plans.

--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

"James W. Sloan" wrote in message
...
In keeping with the "cheap" theme, I picked up some pseudo-luan (meranti)
at
Home Depot (I know...I know) and got her all cut out. Seems like the
nesting
plan must not be to scale, the seat dimensions are way bigger than the
leftover material on the 2 sheets. Not a problem though...plenty of other
scrap around.

So far, all is well. I did the cutting with a jigsaw that I'd never used
before so, the first cut or two had some extra wave. Thanks goodness for
fillets & tape!!

James


Well...enough chat I suppose. I'll be off to the lumber store first
thing
in
the morning to get started! Thanks everyone for the insights and advice.
I'll post as the thing progresses......Hey Jaques, tell me in advance
what
the first mistake I'll be making is. I can then move on to the second
one
without delay!!!

James

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

So far, I've been pleasantly surprised at the lack of voids. The ones I've
found tend to be 1/4 inch or so wide and run only an inch or two. I'll be
filling these with epoxy via syringe after loose joining everything
together. At $9 a sheet, I thought it was worth a try...cheap lessons if
not!

I think I've got enough 50 inch 6 oz. to give the exterior at least a good
layer. I might end up using 2 or 3 different epoxy brands before its
done...field testing I say.

Thanks for the advice,

James

In keeping with the "cheap" theme, I picked up some pseudo-luan
(meranti) at
Home Depot (I know...I know) and got her all cut out. Seems like the
nesting
plan must not be to scale, the seat dimensions are way bigger than the
leftover material on the 2 sheets. Not a problem though...plenty of
other
scrap around.

So far, all is well. I did the cutting with a jigsaw that I'd never used
before so, the first cut or two had some extra wave. Thanks goodness for
fillets & tape!!

James

I have used the same stuff. I caution to use only that which carries
the sticker which reads, "type III Exterior Merenti". Also be real
careful of the fact that it is one fat center core with two thin skins
at a 90 degree. If there are voids that run the full width of the
part, they must be filled or avoided otherwise the hull tends to snap
right there just like it was a perforated piece of cardboard. If you
are using this stuff, you may want to consider a exterior coating of
very light glass, just to strengthen the outer skin against tearing. I
have used it for a few plugs while testing hull shapes and it holds up
fairly well. I have one that is almost ten years old, but it is
covered in 6 oz glass. I did have one that cracked out during
construction years ago which sat in mud and grass in my side yard for
about 3 years before the unprotected edges started to delaminate.
Anyway good luck, and happy building.
Scotty from SmallBoats.com

Bateau Cheap Canoe....?
 

Jaques,

You are absolutely correct. The dimensions (US & Metric) were all just fine.
I was only commenting that the nesting diagram implies that there will be
enough left to make the seat from the two sheets. Clearly the dimensions
indicate otherwise.

I'm not bitching though, the plans are worth at least 10x what I paid for
them ;).

Thanks for the info, the plans, the web site, etc., etc.!!

James
James, our plans are deliberately not to scale especially not the PDF
ones.
All the dimensions are there, no need to scale anything from the plans.

--
Jacques
http://www.bateau.com

"James W. Sloan" wrote in message
...
In keeping with the "cheap" theme, I picked up some pseudo-luan
(meranti)
at
Home Depot (I know...I know) and got her all cut out. Seems like the
nesting
plan must not be to scale, the seat dimensions are way bigger than the
leftover material on the 2 sheets. Not a problem though...plenty of
other
scrap around.

So far, all is well. I did the cutting with a jigsaw that I'd never used
before so, the first cut or two had some extra wave. Thanks goodness for
fillets & tape!!

James


Well...enough chat I suppose. I'll be off to the lumber store first
thing
in
the morning to get started! Thanks everyone for the insights and
advice.
I'll post as the thing progresses......Hey Jaques, tell me in advance
what
the first mistake I'll be making is. I can then move on to the second
one
without delay!!!

James