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Hey Black fly, thanks for posting that great video! His handle carving technique has lots of similarity to carving a paddle from one board; the centerline reference, etc.

Nice work! I don't have any current sewing projects but I admire yours!

I know how they do it.... On the carry between Little Clear and St. Regis ponds I observed keel-drag marks in every soft or muddy spot, and paint (or colored plastic) on the rocks in rocky spots. Apparently, fit/younger paddlers drag their heavy canoes (tubs) rather than carrying!

I just keep in shape by continuing to work in my "retirement". Doing projects like this one, up & down ladders all day and toting heavy pressure treated lumber gives me all the workout I need for tripping. By comparison, the occasional portage or long day paddling is a "walk in the park".

I love that line. It‘s from the movie Jeremiah Johnson if I’m not mistaken, when Johnson meets up with Will Geer’s character “Bear Claw”. Loved that movie!

Yes, Murat, that deck is from the canoe I mentioned just above. Thanks for your graphic. It's probably the most definitive clue I've seen that helps to date my canoe! I have no reason to doubt that the decks on the canoe in question are not original, so I'm going with post-fire. The nature...

Based on Tryin's calculations: My weight of 150# and lean fat of probably 10% suggests that I will need 15# of flotation. My Mustang Khimera vest has 7.5# of foam flotation, and another 13# of bladder flotation at full inflation; thus, 20.5# of potential flotation. Enough for me + 25% extra...

Robin, your mention of tumblehome made me go out to the barn to look at my current Chestnut project. Does the tumblehome in this hull appear similar to yours? The previous owner claimed this canoe is a pre-fire Chestnut Bobs Special, but the depth of the hull (13.5") more closely resembles a...

https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/d/hingham-wood-canvas-canoe-restorable/7602958790.html Appears to be a Chestnut Pal, 16’. With the exception of one completely rotted stem end, it appears to be in ‘relatively‘ good shape. Not my advertisement.

Glenn, I think the standard practice is to bend one blank which is subsequently sawn lengthwise to create two bent stems. After my initial failure I decided to rip the next double-wide blank into two 7/8" square blanks, and rotating them 90 degrees into vertical grain orientation. I then bent...

Mustang Khimera dual floatation. It's very lightweight, comfortable, and non-bulky. Minimal flotation, but when more is needed there's a CO2 inflated bladder. It can be topped up by mouth if need be. Only downside is the small pocket. It does hold my whistle, Zoleo, and iPhone.

Stems notched for ribs and rough tapered.

Stem blanks are off the stem form, and on the canoe form! No bending defects. I was a little surprised by the amount of spring back once off the stem form, but clamps brought them tight to the canoe form. The stem blanks are not yet notched for ribs, or shaped for the planking bevel. This...

two pair: Crocs Swiftwater Mesh deck sandals; lightweight, adjustable instep strap, toe coverage, durable enough for portaging. I wear them with neoprene socks- two pair if the water is really cold. And, in camp, my last trip I tried a pair of regular Crocs. Used ones my son outgrew! They...

Thanks Glenn!

2nd attempt at stem building: This time, I did several things differently; I steamed longer, pre-soaked longer, placed the bending material higher in the steam box, and most significantly, I ripped the 7/8"x1 7/8" blank into two 7/8" square pieces and bent in quarter sawn orientation rather...

The previous owners bought the canoe in the Finger Lakes of NY, and brought it to central PA intended as a decoration in their antique shop. They never actually displayed it, and left it in storage, flat on a floor with 'stuff' piled into it. I bought it and replaced some planking, restored...

1950's Chestnut Chum:

Wow, a stripper isn't in my future (unless I can no longer carry my w/c canoes), but I am continually impressed with your techniques and resulting wonderful canoes! Kudos to you.