Lapstrake Canoe
Room for two men (and a dog) plus gear.
Origins: This solid-wood lapstrake canoe is a traditional design combining light weight portability (for a wooden boat) with substantial carrying capacity. It carries two adults but can also be paddled single-handed and moved solo with the help of a wheeled carrier (sold at most paddling stores). The seats are ajustable.
Dimensions: Length: 16 ft; Beam: 34 ins. Weight; 110 pounds Time to build: 2-3 weeks with part time help. Materials: Spruce planking: Steam-bent white ash frames & trim. The three laminated ash spreaders are easily removed for car topping. Materials cost: $800-$1200 This canoe is a versatile, elegant little boat--well suited to sheltered waters although we have tried one out on the open sea. The three laminated ash spreaders are attached with wing nuts so are easily removed for car topping or when camping. This is not a white water craft and should be stored ashore, under cover, so it doesn’t get water-logged and heavy. A personal preference, when paddling a canoe solo, is to bring along a 20–30 pound weight, something expendable like a canvas bag filled with sand or gravel, as moveable ballast. When paddling into a head wind it helps to move the ballast forward thus lowering the bow and reducing windage. |
Building the Lapstrake CanoeDigital Download -- Complete Building Manual and Plans
Lapstrake Canoe - a Sixteen-foot Classic
Alison Watts trying out her new canoe
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Sheet One. Very detailed sheets of plans take the guesswork out of building.