Something like a Bell Yellowstone

[Rubbaboo]

Had a bit of a Marketplace score the other day, so I guess I’m going into canoe building mode soon. I really enjoy my wife’s Bell Yellowstone, can anyone recommend a model with plans that’s similar?
Unreal, they’d been using the planks for shelves for the last 50 years, not a knot in the pile, full1”x12”x16’&14’s

 

[Pseudonym]

I'm not any help with regard to your request about canoe designs, but wanted to say that I admire your canoes and, based on the looks of that garage door, perhaps you raised hockey players.

 

[Alan Gage]

I think I can still put my hands on the digital plans for this boat. When I was designing it I had a composite Wildfire available and compared measurements as a sanity check now and again. It's not a copy but it's in the same ballpark. Mine, as I recall, has more volume.

Solo 14

I've been wanting something more maneuverable for moving water day trips so decided to build another canoe (imagine that). 14'x30" with something like 1.5" rocker and pretty soft stems. Fairly high volume carried to the stems to give Sadie more room and hopefully provide a drier ride in rapids...

www.canoetripping.net

Alan

 

[gumpus]

You might consider the Osprey. Osprey and Yellowstone have similar capabilities; both have good handling and very nice cruising efficiency for maneuverable boats. I sold my composite Yellowstone because I prefer the Osprey. I recently bought a (blue) Swift Cirrus; it has similar characteristics as Osprey and Yellowstone and does not give up performance but somehow Yost gave it extra stability.

 

[Monel]

I second the Osprey. Great boat.

This prior thread links to several other options.

Solo Plans

I've been considering building a solo cedar strip canoe,I'm 6'-1" and 200 lbs.any suggestions on a good design? Dedicated solo as I already have a 17 footer

www.canoetripping.net

Monel

 

[Rubbaboo]

based on the looks of that garage door, perhaps you raised hockey players.

Yup! The two seasons around here - hockey and paddling! They still shoot in there lots so I’ll have a 5 month window to build during ODR season.

I think I can still put my hands on the digital plans for this boat. When I was designing it I had a composite Wildfire available and compared measurements as a sanity check now and again. It's not a copy but it's in the same ballpark.

Thanks Alan, that’s definitely a candidate, 14’ or less is kinda where my mind is at, I have other boats for tripping, this one will be my local paddlecraft on the small twisty river I frequent. Speed isn’t a main priority.



Thanks Gumpus and Monel! I will consider the Osprey and appreciate your feedback!

 

[gumpus]

I'm a kneeler and have paddled both Royalex and composite Yellowstones so not sure which is your reference. Anyway, just to be clear I'd take the Osprey over a composite Yellowstone for twisty rivers every time because it's definitely more maneuverable than Yellowstone and also more playful. Osprey leans more easily and has less secondary stability. Yellowstone stern has little rocker and feels skegged.compared to Osprey which has a whole bunch of rocker (pic). Osprey is my all time favorite for J or C stroking (or whatever I do) because the boat is so responsive. Just wanted to be clear about Osprey. Wildfires are nice on twisty stuff too.

 

[Monel]

An Osprey does fine all loaded up too. Here it is on a two week Yukon River trip. Whitehorse to Dawson.

Monel

 

[dutchlennart]

I have not paddled the yellowstone solo enough to compare it to the boats that are close to it. I would take my time and take the lines from the Yellowstoen as it seems to be in your shed. a station eact feet is more then enough to build a good copy. a jogglestick might be very helpfull.
OF all the plans I know the osprey/kite seems still unbeaten as the best tripper/ mixed water model on the market. I guess it will be the only boat I have build for a while. I am more a paddler then a builder.

 

[gumpus]

Sorry DL

Yellowstone = Mary Ann
Osprey = Ginger

 

[dutchlennart]

Yellowstone = Mary Ann
Osprey = Ginger

This makes no sense to me. I guess it is a language thing. I always forget what the changes where made from the wildfire to the yellowstone.

 

[Alan Gage]

This makes no sense to me. I guess it is a language thing. I always forget what the changes where made from the wildfire to the yellowstone.

It's a reference to the old Gilligan's Island sitcom and the two beautiful women who were stranded on the island with them; one of whom was a movie star (Ginger) and the other was more like the girl next door (Mary Ann).

Neither one would have been a bad choice.

Alan

 

[Monel]

This makes perfect sense to me, especially as I have Royalex Bell Wildfire to accompany my Osprey.

Both Mary Anne and Ginger! What's not to like about that.