Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)About 12 years ago my dad and I built the wabnaki canoe using Mr Gilpatrick's book, and this year I built a Prospector design using Canoecraft, at least in part. I would like to add my opinion abut the relative merits of these books.
Gilpatrick's book is designed, in my opinion, to tell you how to build what used to be referred to in the wood/canvas days as "guide canoes". These were workhorse canoes, without unnecessary decorations, a plain paint job and no frills. Mr Gilpatrick uses his own designs in guiding parties down whitewater rivers in Maine. His book describes how to use 2 layers of fiberglass to strengthen the bottom for whitewater, has complete instructions for caning very comfortable seats, has a good pattern for a portage-comfortable yoke, and has complete plans for all his designs, which only need to be enlarged. He does NOT spend time discussing stems (which are pretty but not necessary and add a lot of work to the construction), scuppered gunwales, accent strips, patterned decks, etc. It is impossible to build a cedar strip canoe which is not pretty, but function takes precedence in this book. His designs are practical and functional and he has proven that his construction methods produce a tough, durable boat. I think a canoe can sometimes be too pretty. If you're afraid to get it scratched up a bit you're not going to be taking it in places you should.
Canoecraft goes into more detail about appearances and has a section on accent strips, shows finely crafted decks with coamings, and uses a construction utilizing stems. The canoe which is illustrated being constructed is the Redbird, and the canoe is absolutely beautiful. The book has very good trouble shooting sections in the chapters. The designs require either a knowledge of lofting or purchasing plans and there is not a lot of discussion on seat construction. A chapter on lofting and on caning seats would add immensely to this book. (Believe me, if you get used to caned seats you'll never have another kind). Also, the canoes are described as being built with a single layer of glass on the outside and inside. I know a fellow who banged such a canoe into a rock on the Madison river and his $3000 investment ended up needing major repair work. My double layered wabnaki has bounced off numerous rocks and ledges in the Big Blackfoot river and has its share of scratches but is structurally intact. I would definitely add a layer of glass if you do any whitewater stuff. You can certainly built a very beautiful canoe with the advice in this book, but I think the two books compliment one another and I used both in building the prospector.
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Building a Strip Canoe: Plans for Eight Canoes, Plus Paddles and Cane SeatsThis completely revised edition includes plans and patterns for eight well-proven designs.Step-by-step directions are accompanied by over 100 photographs plus illustrations.Gil's contemporary construction method augment the traditional wood strips with fiberglass and West System epoxy.The book includes an extensive listing of sources for lumber, tools and supplies.128 pages.
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