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As soon as the three coats of Watco dry ( Likely a month ) I'll get a scale on it. 3/16" strips. 4 oz S-glass. No Flotation. ( Big mistake! ). Bottom is double layered by adding 6 oz E-glass to about the 3" waterline. Jim

Here are a few pics of my latest build. The Bruce Kunz designed 38 Spl. With a Bobbed tail. I Bobbed the tail, to eliminate an extra splice, in the strips. Here are the Scissor stands, I made to lift the canoe, so I can apply Watco, without the need to mask anything. They also eliminate...

Looks great on the water too ! Fun to test a new design ! Jim

A Japanese Saw Rasp, is by far your best tool, combared to a Surform rasp. It has a course and fine side. Leaves a much smoother finish when done. I use the rasp, without the attachable handle. You can also save a few bucks ordering without the handle. My preference. SawRasp Jim

Besides a clear plank, the main thing that concerns me, is that my strips were as close as possible to being Quarter sawn. So selection of planks, I look for Flat grain, or slash cut. Quarter sawn strips machine the best. They are stiffer, and sand more even. I used to just use a ROS...

It also depends on the epoxy you are using. I use RAKA 127 resin, and 350 Non blushing hardener. System Three's, Clear Coat, however, is a very good epoxy, is thinner. May require up to 5 fill coats, in My experience. What epoxy, are you using ? Jim

My regular schedule, is. One wet out coat, and two fill coats. The fill coats are applied, while the previous coat is still tacky. Some say you can wait 24 hours between coats. I never do. Don't sand, if you don't have to. Wait beyond 24 hours ? Sand. You will likely degrade or thin the...

Pad the bottom of the stapler, with several layers of tape. This prevents the staples, from being driven into the wood. Saves a ton of sanding ! With the staples proud of the wood ? Makes removing them a lot easier, when the time comes ...

Simply, if you do staples right ? They are not that much of a distraction. All canoe designers use staples ? Why ? They want the strips to be true to the forms ! So do I ! I've done it both ways ! Staples rule ! Jim

At 24.5" I'd lower my seat too. I think you should be fine. My canoes are wider, and with a higher seat, it makes it easier for this Old body to get in and out ! Jim

Your pics are very profuse ! No question, to how you build ! A great resource ! Now that you have gone the Stemless route, the Stem forms are ready to build again, without the labor of beveling the stems. As far as weight savings? You think the stems, inner and outer, both ends, only adds 6...

Hull is in great shape for a 70s constructed canoe. There is some serious rot on the gunnels. Me ? I would have started all over again, with the gunnels. Seeing that you have decided to go with the old? Mixed epoxy, and fillers added, would be my route. Sand the surfaces, to insure good...

Is it worth restoring ? I agree with others. Can you fix it up as a user canoe ? Yes. Time and materials, and methods. I patched an old Sears 12,' for my river use. Had $40 in materials, and used it for many years. Gave it way, and had my money's worth out of it. Maybe someone is...

This guy is pure amazing ! Here is his Video. Enjoy as I did ! Jim

End caps are available for many brands. What brand of canoe are you working on ? Evan if you can't find the exact replacement, you can modify them with a heat gun. Jim

Always great to get a hull on the water ! Looks great. Enjoy ! Jim

Some hulls, racing hulls. Cut through waves. Look for a hull that is flared, at least in the bow and stern. They will lift you over waves. My Pearl stripper, is flared bow and stern, and tumblehomed in the middle. This lifts you slightly giving a bumpier, drier ride. It also has a...

You could glue a splice over your scarf. I've seen that done. That would solve the strength issue. Jim

Is it a tandem or solo ?

Seat placement looks good ! Plenty of freeboard too. In my solos, even ones with a little Asymetry, 6" aft of center, works for me. Yours looks fine. Glad you were able to get it on the water ! Jim