The biggest hurdle for me was fear of failure. I spent a long time wondering whether or not building a cedar strip was something I would be capable of doing. I've given up on a lot of pursuits because I just didn't find them interesting/rewarding enough to justify the effort (learning guitar...
On the hull, as I went. The only care I took was to make sure to alternate the location of the joints from row to row - offset by one form at least.
Feel free with the questions - we are here to help.
Edit: A miter box with a back saw was always close at hand during the stripping process.
Hi Tom,
We all have different styles, expectations, and standards. I did not want to put too much pressure on myself during this first build, so I chose functional/pedestrian. Just keep that in mind lest my approach does not suit your needs.
I bought the cedar from a woodlot owner that was...
Light canoes sure are fun to carry. I find that paddling them kind of sucks, though. Perhaps it's just poor technique on my part, but I don't like feeling the vessel slow so abruptly between strokes.
Edit: I'm sure Bill Swift is a salt-of-the-earth type of guy and has certainly done lots of...
Dish detergent hasn't contained lye in quite some time - using soap on your seasoned cookware won't hurt it. Ash does contain lye, so although I have no empirical evidence myself, that should actually do more harm. If in your experience you have found it to be harmless, then I certainly wouldn't...
I've used both Epifanes and Pettit, stretching a quart. They both performed well but the Pettit has the advantage of smelling like blueberry pie. Probably not great for the brain cells, though.
I use the stuff stack that came with my Klymit mattress - it has a built-in connector. You don't need "wind" to fill the sack, just open it and the volume of air that occupies the open space is then trapped when you start squishing. It takes about 7 bag-fulls - I don't like it too full...
Regarding the clothing, in hindsight what was brought versus what was used is easy to criticize. The issue is that one doesn't often know the prevailing conditions until one is in them. I am firmly in the "I should not have brought" rather than the "I wish I had brought" camp.
I bring 2 stoves...
Stanfield's Merino Top
I start and often end with that. If it's a little chilly, I'll throw on a poly blend work shirt like this: Big Bill
The thin merino wool is miraculous stuff - wicks sweat (and I sweat a lot), stays comfortable, and doesn't induce retching after day 5.
I avoid tripping...
If a 3rd is in the cards for me, I'd buy some inexpensive pinking shears to try to mitigate that tangly mess. I had a real hard time with this on the inner stems.