Only very simple techniques are necessary to build a cedar strip canoe. Building a cedar strip canoe out of cedar strips, epoxy and fiberglass cloth is a 6 step process. As long as you are familiar with basic woodworking and have access to some tools and some space you can do it..
Step One
Building the strongback is the first step. I recommend using 2x6 lumber that is dry and straight. Fix the two pieces of wood together in a T-shape. Add some legs and braces at a comfortable work height.
Step Two
Cut out full-size patterns on plywood or particle board for the station molds (you get plans to show you the sizes). Use a hand held jigsaw or a bandsaw to cut station molds out. Also cut out the bow and stern molds. Assemble everything in the correct order on the strongback (the spacing will be in the plans).
Step Three
The next step is the cedar strips, which you make or buy, and which make the hull. With a bandsaw, table saw or radial arm saw you can rip your own strips. Then bead and cove the edges of the strips using a router. If you don't have those tools or want to go faster you can buy pre-made strips.
Step 4
Take the strips and nail, tack or staple them to the molds. Cedar strips don;t need steaming to bend. They bend quite well. The strips get glued to each other and nailed or tacked to the molds. You can utilize a vareity of glues.
Step 5
Once all the strips are glued and nailed and dry you pull all the tacks. Scrape the excess glue off the hull. Next, sand the outer hull until it is perfectly smooth. Place the cloth on the hull and trim it so that it will lie flat. Mix the epoxy and apply it to the cloth. Install the outside gunwales to stiffen the hull. Take the hull off the molds and turn it over. Sand and clean the inner hull and then epoxy it. Next, install the inner gunwales and the decks in the bow and stern.
Step Six
Build the thwarts and seats. Install any hardware that you plan to use. Slap on some spar varnish to protect the hull from UV rays. You're done, and the proud owner of a handbuilt cedar strip canoe.
