Canoe Weight Calculator

[Trevor Paetkau]

I share this here in the event that some here might find it useful. It's set up to to help canoe builders to determine the final weight of their canoe. It allows the user to make decisions about what canoe design to choose, which materials to use, and how much weight certain elements add to or subtract from the total.
Have at it. Thoughtful feedback welcome ...

Canoe Weight Calculator for Cedar Strip Construction - https://ashesstillwaterboats.com/can...ht-calculator/

 

[stripperguy]

Pretty cool. My son is currently building a 17 ft tandem, that hull has been built by me many times.
The canoe weight calculator was spot on at 37 lbs., even though there was no option for mahogany gunnels and trim.
Should have the option for 1 full layer of glass or 1-1/2 layers.

 

[Trevor Paetkau]

I like the idea of adding 1/2 a layer or 2 layers glass.
Check again for mahogany trim, it's there ...

 

[Guest]

When I used to help build composite canoes, when the boat was done we always weighed it and even though they were vacuum infused, it always varied some. A fun time.

 

[memaquay]

Interesting. I always build with stems, but inner and outer are cedar. White pine is a good wood for stripping if you don't care about weight. All my boats have a double layer of six ounce on the bottom. Also, individual weights on the same boat will vary depending on how sparing the builder is with epoxy. Some squeegy the hull pretty close, some don't even squeegy. Some do fill coats on the interior, some don't.

 

[Cruiser]

I suspect the tricky part is knowing the hull area, that sort of drives everything.

 

[Trevor Paetkau]

I suspect the tricky part is knowing the hull area, that sort of drives everything.

Ah yes, and since our clever plan is to sell plans (hint hint wink wink) we list the surface area of our boats but do include the surface areas for generic prospectors and modern trippers at certain lengths in the side bar.

 

[Iskweo]

LIke Mem, we tend to build a little bit on the sturdier side since we are not gentle with our boats. I have been giving this some thought of late though and may try an ultralight build to see how it goes. a 40 lb Jack's Special would be the cat's pyjamas.

I am also pondering a lightweight w/c build a la Langford. Smaller ribs, thinner planking, spruce gunwales and stems. The weight of the canvas is the tricky part.

Christy

 

[Jim Dodd]

LIke Mem, we tend to build a little bit on the sturdier side since we are not gentle with our boats. I have been giving this some thought of late though and may try an ultralight build to see how it goes. a 40 lb Jack's Special would be the cat's pyjamas.

I am also pondering a lightweight w/c build a la Langford. Smaller ribs, thinner planking, spruce gunwales and stems. The weight of the canvas is the tricky part.

Christy

I know it might be Blasphemy (I had to look that one up!) But you could remove the outwhales on one of your WC beauties, and use it as a male mold, for a Kevlar or Kevlar/ Carbon copy ?? Just an idea to toss around !!

Jim

 

[memaquay]

I've been thinking about doing that with a new Raven. Making a new cedar strip plug and doing the kevlar thingy. Endless possibilities.

 

[Trevor Paetkau]

Updated now with a Materials Calculator.
Currently configured to determine either board feet, or number of strips required for strip construction.
It's still in beta mode so be kind!

https://ashesstillwaterboats.com/how...ls-calculator/​

​

 

[Trevor Paetkau]

Updates ...

Should have the option for 1 full layer of glass or 1-1/2 layers.

Option for 1, 1.5, or 2 layers glass added. Inside and out.

White pine is a good wood for stripping if you don't care about weight.

White pine added as hull option.

 

[sophiamark]

Although mahogany gunnels and trim were not an option, the canoe weight calculator was accurate at 37 lbs.
One complete layer of glass or one and a half layers should be a choice.

 

[sophiamark]

Fascinating. Although the inside and exterior are cedar, I always use Mehrwertsteuer Rechner stems when building. If weight is not an issue, white pine is a fine wood for stripping. The bottom of every one of my boats has a double layer of six ounces. Individual weights on the same boat will also differ based on the epoxy sparing used by the builder. Some don't even squeegy, while others squeegy the hull rather close. Some use interior fill coats, while others do not.

 

[sophiamark]

Because we are not delicate with our boats, we tend to construct a little bit on the sturdier side. However, I've been thinking about this lately, and I might attempt an ultralight construction to see how it works out. The best thing ever would be a 40-pound Jack's Special.

A lightweight w/c build like Langford is another idea I'm considering. narrower planking, spruce stems and gunwales, and smaller ribs. The problematic component is the canvas's weight.

 

[Cruiser]

Although mahogany gunnels and trim were not an option, the canoe weight calculator was accurate at 37 lbs.
One complete layer of glass or one and a half layers should be a choice.

Don't get me wrong, the calculator is very innovative and does allow a reasonable estimate of finished weight.

Weight is a product of both materials and usage technique, so there is a range for the final weight. This calculator does tend to be at the very high end of the expected range of weights IMO. So using it to get an idea of what a craft will weigh is good, but just realize you can build much lighter than the estimated final weight, with the specified materials, by just using good technique.

Brian