Stage 11 - The Change!

Change from wooden mast to aluminium mast and spars

Narrow River Sail!

Now roll on the summer!

Phil!

Stage 10 - Lead Weighted Rudder

The rudder is weighted down with led

Just incase you haven't noticed- the canoe was built in a polytunnel!!

Phil!

Stage 9 - Rudder Attachment!

Rudder attached through low waterline hole 

And decking centre point

Phil!

Stage 8 - Cutting for Rudder and Leeboard!

Cutting of mahogany board- 18inches wide x 3ft long...

Cut by hand with a handsaw...

Took me a week in total to saw through it all!!

Phil!

Maiden Voyage!!

Maiden voyage on the River Shannon!

2kilometre paddle from Worlds End Castleconnell to O'Briens Bridge and back!

All went well, thrilled with our first paddling experience!!

It only took a month for the boat to be ready for its maiden voyage!

Phil!

Step 7 - Fitting of the Lateen Sail!

Wooden mast fitted

*note: installed a low line attachment hole- front and back

Phil!

Step 6 - Fitting Out for Sailing!

Mast twart and mast step fitted.

Phil!

Stage 5 - Varnishing

All varnishing finished!

Seat and centre twart fitted.

Phil!

Step 4 - Painting

White undercoating and poly filler

Dulux fire engine red hard gloss x 5 coats

Two coats of polyuritane varnish

Phil!

Stage 3 - Decking

Plywood decking and inside gunnerls with scuppers.

 Mahogany and ash strip decking. Outside gunnels fitted.

Phil!

Stage 2- Decking sub assembly

Decking sub assembly supports...

Phil!

Stage 1 - Stitch and Glue

After stitching and glueing, the assembly begins...

All taped up and ready for gunnels!

Phil!

Hello!

Hello,

My name is Philip! I have just started this blog as a place where I can recount my progress of building my first canoe! I hope to share photos of the build as I go! And share any new ideas and tips I have come across along the way!

I hope my enteries are of help to those of you who are also starting out on the same journey!
Feel free to share your experiences with me likewise!

Will get going on my first post soon!

Phil! 
(that's me and my daughter Niamh on the maiden voyage!)