Building My Solo Wilderness Tripping Canoe - BEST CANOE EVER! 

Hey everyone, Here's a video showing the complete build of my new solo canoe "The Ugly Canoe." I've used time lapse to speed up the building process but have also included descriptive narrative here and there at important stages. Please check out the canoe in its first solo canoe trip here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-HfewHKqB-nc.html

I came for the build, I stayed for the music. Great selection. Real mellow.

Nice job ! Iv'e built them like this, and it is a certain amount of work. It's good to see talented folks, keeping this woodworking tradition alive, whether it is boats , cabinets, guitars, it is a positive outlet for creativity.

That sure is no ugly duckling of a canoe, gem of a video detailing much hard work, thanks.

I like the color variations, gives it character and a beautiful all it's own, thanks for the video

You sir are not only a master craftsman, but you created a functional piece of art. WOW is all I can say.

Such a time consuming project but well worth the effort. What a beautiful canoe!!!!!!! Can't wait to see her in action.

Dude, this music just put me in a trance. I used your videos quite a deal when I build my first cedar strip a few years back. Thanks.

Outstanding . That's surely the most beautiful "ugly canoe" I've ever seen. Love your content and look forward to seeing that canoe in forthcoming videos. Cheers, - Martin

I built a 16’ cedar strip Bob special for my solo tripping canoe, but can also use it for two paddlers. Looks pretty similar but with a little more tumblehome. It has been awesome, I have put a lot of miles on it, and it handles the wind very well. Light enough that I can portage my canoe and pack in one trip (getting harder as I get older). Thanks for the video.

Outstanding work ,it was a pleasure to watch.

weird choice in music, beautiful work, excellent insight.

excellent music, excellent build , thx

It's very satisfying watching an artist in action. Thanks, Jason.

Hey Jason i understand buddy ive owned 17 or 18 boats in my life its a sickness i get it LOL. I am a retired Woodworker that has suffered a Traumatic Brain injury. At the moment. I am between shops and homes and ive always wanted to build my own wood boat but haven’t. Gotten to it yet I’m actually. A little afraid because i know i wont be able to stop making them myself ive owned and restored a old Chris Craft wooden Cabin Cruiser worked on several Grand Banks Trawlers and was a faithful subscriber/reader of Wooden Boat magazine Fo over 20 years whenever i see a Cedar Strip canoe i think it is prettier than the last one ive seen as i just absolutely love grain patterns in many species of woods i grew up in Florida and a large group of my freinds and i have been. Canoeing and rural camping. Along one of the rivers down there for over 25 years and yes its alcohol for breakfast ,lunch , and usually dinner. For a 3 day weekend I wouldn’t mind building a mini fleet and trailer to pull down for everyone to use I’m also glad you spoke about Total Boat Epoxy as ive always used the West.System which is More expensive and ive wanted to know more about Total i am a Jamestown Distributor customer and enjoy their RU-vid channel. Tips and lessons From a Shipwright which are becoming a harder group of people to get. Tips from since most. People. Prefer fiberglass or “ plastic” boats as many people i know call them FYI i kept a boar on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland for many years and the Waterman still use Wooden Bay Builts for Cranning and other livings on the Bay often you can look at a bay built and know who built it just because of her lines each. Region. Have their own unique design that works best in its waters and markets ive always looked at the older ones and thought that they would make a neat yacht if done correctly plus they. Are generally a economical and reliable boat as they are used to make a living in favorable weather conditions daily plus they. Can handle most conditions well as a rule

Awesome video! Thank you! I built a couple soapbox derby cars with my father when I was young kinda the same way. I have a small woodworking shop and part of a Wounded Warrior hunt organization. The hunt is for Purple Heart Veterans and I want to build a canoe for the event next year. The club does a large raffle and all the proceeds go back into the organization for future hunts.

Jason, I love these videos. The ugly canoe looks like a beauty. I can't wait to see her on the water.

Awesome build! You can extend the pot life of epoxy by moving it into a baking tin after mixing. The larger surface area reduces the depth and slows the kick rate.

I'm not a staple builder. But I do like it when people build better-looking boats. Using a whetstone you can sharpen rows of Staples very little time. The now razor-sharp Staples slide between the cedar fibers without tearing. Nobody does this but the holes can be swell shut with steam. Clearly 50% of the holes are completely invisible while the rest of the holes that do not disappear completely are now 90% smaller.

Hi Jason, Great video, as are all your videos. I'm currently getting set up to build my first cedar strip canoe. I've been wood working for many years, but haven't tried a project like this before. I already have most of the tools I need, the ones didn't already have I'm getting. The biggest problem I have is not having a place to build it. That problem is currently being solved. I decided we need another storage shed. I'm currently building a 10' X 20' storage shed, which will be my canoe building shop before it becomes a shed. My plan is to build a Prospector but but shorten it to a little under 15'. Currently sourcing lumber for the canoe, while I pick up lumber for the shed. Thanks for all your wonderful videos, and insight. Many thumbs-up from Southern Oregon.

Great video! Thanks. Beautiful boats!

Thanks for teaching well Thanks for showing

That is some edgy music for a DIY video. I like it.

Fantastic Work Sir!! Simply Wonderful Craftsmanship!

Wow what an absolute masterpiece.. beautiful!! Thank you for sharing

Wow!!! Love it Jason!!! It amazes me on the skill set you have!!!

Thanks for sharing us your passion Jason. You inspire me to build one for myself. Nice regards from Vietnam.

Super, beautiful canoe👍

awesome canoe! I want one

That is absolutely beautiful! Well done Sir, well done.

I think you knocked it out of the park. That turned out awesome. How if I may ask do you determine how to make your patterns.

Most of the time I don't watch vids with my mouth hanging open but as I watched this boat come together I am inspired. Stunning lines on this craft. Are the plans available. I aspire to be a full time builder in the next few years. Thanks for the video.

wow!! absolutely beautiful canoe, thank you for sharing.

How did you know that the hull shape would be fair before setting up the stations? Are you designing in software?

Nice one Jason! Greetings from Perth, Ontario! I've built numerous boats, canoes and kayaks over the years - retired now and have the itch to make another. I fly fish small rivers for bass so lightweight and stable is what I am looking for. Please let me know if you make your plans available. Cheers! Hank

Amazing! I'm about to start building my very first canoe and this video is truly inspirational. Greetings from Argentina!

+1 Best looking "ugly canoe" ever. Great build, and quality really shows. Thanks for sharing the video content on how this is done.

Fantastic video, thank you so much, beautiful canoe.

I enjoyed your canoe build video. Myself, I've built kayaks, ,but never a canoe. Once built I usually out on the river for camping; fishing, or hunting. Maybe, a canoe will be a next big project. Thanks, for the inspiration.

Your work is absolutely stunning. You're a true master builder. I'm A site carpenter in the UK Manchester city. I'd get on a plane tomorrow to spend time with you I'd love you show me the ropes I've not done one yet but definitely want to make my own. Thank you for sharing your skills. Amazing 😊

Scratchee' sound track 💘 it!!

Im learning so much from your vids thanks for this

Great video Jason. ... Epoxy is amazing stuff! Really has opened up the Craftsman/Artist world to build and create things that would other wise at one time be impossible. Keep up with the amazing work!!

Thanks for posting this, really enjoyed seeing the end product. Looking forward to the "Ugly Canoe" on the water.

Just stumbled onto your video. Wow! Subbed. Queuing up the next video. Thanks for sharing.

Fantástico! Parabéns! Trabalho primoroso.

sorry Jason but that is not an ugly canoe she is absolutely beautiful. Your use of shorter lumber is inspiring. I may have to try my hand at building one. Just wondering how much she weighs. Thanks for sharing.

Do you have plans or drawings for this canoe? I'd like to build one. Thanks for sharing your story in such an artistic way!

-> speed 1.5x :) Nice vid! thanx for this one!

I wanted to see the process of pulling the staples. I was wondering if they'd scar the wood. This is such a beautiful project. In other videos I see builders avoiding the staples and using cords/strings and clamps only. Thanks for sharing the work.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only squirrel out there.

That’s what I’m takin aboot!!!

Building the perfect solo canoe even with a lot of that in your workshop is something. Looks very good and well made. I wonder how much one perfectly good and made costs. I might get one or 2 of those easy for one person and light to get to bay for fishing. And easy to store when not in use.

Beautiful looking craft. Would you consider distributing a set of templates for the ugly canoe? Even a square shot photo of each piece marked for scale,, in a pdf file, that could be blown up to actual size?

Nice! I love seeing someone skipping steps I spent so much time on. Why scarf every joint when it’s going to be trapped between planks anyway? I mean, it can’t hurt but I spent a lot of time on scarfing and I bet your boat is just as bombproof. Just as many ways to build a boat as there are boat builders I guess. Thanks for sharing!

Hey, can you give some measurements: length, with, depth and weigth?

Hang on - what's actually holding this together? We saw staples going into temporary ribs, then we saw the boat with no ribs and presumably no staples! So what holds the hull planks together?

Great video but I’m not clear on how the strips are trimmed at each end. Also how the fiberglass cloth is trimmed after epoxy. Do you have any videos on these details?

Do you make these to sell or just to make Them please comment back and let me know and what would you want for one price Weiss thank you for this video

Really nice canoe. Are you going to make the plans available to build it for sale ?

Awesome video. Truly beautiful canoe. I've learned a lot about different subjects watching your videos. Really like the way you explain what you're doing whether it's building a canoe or tying knots. Your presentation is always very informative. How much did the finished product weigh? Do you add any attachments or holes for mounting cameras? Looking forward to seeing it in action. Very impressive Jason. God Bless.

Jason, amazing video on fiberglass and epoxy, I never would have thought you epoxy down all those layers of fiberglass in one pass. Great video appreciate you sharing. Do you build your contoured seats? I am trying to find a plan or just try to build mine from pictures I see on the internet. If you have any advice to share I appreciate it.

I notice no mask while using the epoxy, I'm building my first and I'm at the fiberglass stage, Ill be doing it in my basement and was wondering will there be strong fumes smell??

Could you please make and sell some plans and an instructional video?

That is a work of art!!! Fantastic job, Sub'd

Thank you so much for the legnthy vid!

Hi Jason Great video. This year I decided to re-glass my 18'6" tripper that I built 40 years ago. Your video inspired me to try the Total Boat products. The glassing went well. My question is about the varnish, did you thin the varnish for the outer hull or just for the gunnels and decks? What ratios did you use? I am a big fan of your videos, I learn something from every one of them. Thanks Phil

Fantastic project, execution and video! curious how you keep the fiberglas skin smooth (no wrinkles). I saw it laying loose on the hull and with the compound curves I couldn't imagine how you did it.

nice canoe. i am in the proces building my second from plywood and epoxy and glasscloth. I see you sanding epoxy without a mask and gogles. You never experienced allergies from the epoxydust? Good Luck on the builds in the future.

Impressive as always, Jason. Just curious......if you weren't sure if you wanted the holes to tie off or not, wouldn't it be better to do it, or is it easy to add later if you decide to?

I missed the part where you removed all those staples...

Awesome! I've built a stretched Wilderness Express (16.5) but I find I'm mostly solo and its HEAVY and I get blown around; especially without cargo. Being a novice builder I think I added more beef and epoxy than I needed to. You've inspired me to try again. The beam is pretty wide on "ugly" canoe and it being so short. Curious as to why you went this way? I'm going to try without stems next too I think. Your's looks great without them.Also, which epoxy do you prefer now that you've tired 3 (I used West).. If you want to see a true ugly canoe you'll find me paddling it.

Hello , I loved the video and the canoe, I would lie to build one myself but a little bit different . My plan is to buld a sailing outrigger canoe, would you be willing to send the plans of the one you just built so i could use ytour tecniques to build mine???

How did he get the canoe to separate from the molds since he stapled the strips to them?

Is this your design? or where did you get the plans? I am thinking I might like to try and build on of these canoes. Thank You.

Ola , como posso fazer para conseguir o projeto das cavernas desse tipo de canoa ? Já procurei na internet mas não encontrei.

Awesome buid. Whats the thickness and width of the strips. Will it be possible to use plywood instead?

Came across this video. What a lovely canoe. Have you an idea how many hours it took to complete Thanks again for sharing.

Hey great job! Very inspiring. How did you remove the staples ?

Do you have a video on constructing the seat and the carrying thwart? Secondly, what was the final weight?

cool build do you have line drawings for the canoe?

Espetáculo......... muito bom!

Beautiful canoe. My question is the staples. I've seen others building canoes without stapling. They claim the marks from the staples show through.

Nice job ! Did you mill your strips and are they coved on one side and convexed on the other? I striped a canoe about 20 years ago and now you have me wanting to do another.

Just curious, why did you butt join all the strips? Wouldn't it be better to scarf the strips together? I haven't build a boat yet, so you no doubt know more about this than I do.

Thanks for this! Is there reason for order of glass fiber layers? I would probably put biggest piece last, to hold "package" together. I have still long way to putting fibers to my canoe :)

Just a thought about cutting what looked like MDF without a mask. The fine dust from the band saw has shown to cause cancer in USA studies. Great video of the build and design. Look after yourself.

Can anyone comment on the use of the staple gun to secure the boards to the form? I'm about to start a canoe build and I've seen both the staple method and I've also seen people using elastic cords to hold the boards down until they dry. Staples seem like they would provide a more secure hold and be less finicky, but won't that make an ugly row of holes in the wood? Or when the glue is all dry, do you go back with a glue/sawdust combo to fill in the holes? Thanks in advance for any advice.

I realize this isn't exactly an instructional video, but few questions : are those butt or scarf joints on the strips, what brand of stapler and type of staples, finally is there a good source for wood strips? Enjoyed the video, it's inspirational. I plan on building a 2 person myself.

hi, thank you so much for your vids, they are great to watch and very instructionable , i live in europe and it is very hard to find cedar wood, it is possible to make a strip canoe from other wood, for example pinewood or any other wood, any recommendations, thank you for an eventual reply

Great Video ty for the upload. Where do you get the form dimensions?

I've been looking at and planning on building a strip canoe for a bit over a year now but cant pull the trigger on a design because I want to build a solo and can't find a good set of plans for one. Is that a design of your own or a modified design from one of the major design companies/books? Apologies if it was stated, I just missed it then.

Was the lofting of each station just done by intuition and grid dimensions without a predetermined design? I've never build a boat but have been designing a hull using FreeShip! for fun and to learn how shape impacts it's simple hydrodynamics modeling, and I can tell you mine is a lot uglier, but I've learned a lot.

looking good jason , are the bead and cove on the ends aswell?

Hi Jason! Great video thanks for doing. What process did you use to laminate the 2 deck pieces together? Also how much varnish did you use?

Fantastic sir! Ever thought of teaching one on one? 😉

Are the used strips square or are the edges slightly angled? And what are the dimensions of the strips you used?

An excellent informative video ,as always . For joining short strips together to make them longer did you used the butt joint method ? Thanks

ending guitar sound super.. i wonder the music plz

Hey love your build. I was wondering how thick are your strips?