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» Kingfisher/Flyfisher Lapstrake Kit

A lavishly illustrated guide to building a lapstrake canoe — with free plans for three canoes… Lapstrake boats are built by partially overlapping successive thin planks the length of the boat, to make a gorgeous shape that is lightweight, very strong, and stable. David Nichols makes “advanced” boatbuilding accessible to all ages and skill levels. He has written this book so that any highschooler with a bit of focus can build himself or herself a stunning canoe. Lapstrake Canoes is thoroughly illustrated with color photos and line drawings throughout, taking the reader step-by-step through every part of the process. The photos alone could teach you how to build a canoe. In addition, David Nichols’ written instructions are clear and deliberate, breaking down each job into a series of simple tasks, telling where to watch for common errors, imparting skills and good humor at every turn. He also includes free plans for three of his own canoe designs, ranging from 12 feet to 16 feet, plus plans for making your own paddle, and making a downwind sail. This book is an astonishing wealth of information and experience at your fingertips.

They’re a great low tech way to deal with standing rigging. They can be complicated, like those on Victory or they can be simple like this system on a Standing Lug whaler also at the museum…

I liked the traveler on the whaler as well…

There were two other pieces of hardware that I also found I might want to duplicate at some point… The jib tack makes bending on the sail fast but what I liked best was the tiller arrangement… This clever system allows for the tiller to be removed quickly.

Next Bilge keels…

The Prime Meridian in Greenwich, England

The Royal Observatory

Wind vane on top of the Royal Observatory

The view towards London from Greenwich.

Voyager Stitch & Glue Kit
Indian Girl Stitch & Glue Kit
(Other Kits Available Soon!)

Kits Include:

• Templates for correct plate shape — this makes assembly much easier
• Planks & Bottom with pre-cut step scarfs — planks and bottom have station lines marked — this makes assembly much easier
• Bulkheads with station numbers
• Mid-section
• Copper wire, screws, inwales and outwales, decks, hatches and hatch hardware, cleat material for sheer clamps & hatches, and fiberglass tape
• 70 plus page manual with photos

Voyager Stitch & Glue Kit: 969.00 USD
Indian Girl Stitch & Glue Kit: 940.00 USD

My WoodenBoat School September 2007 class built six Voyager stitch and glue canoes and one Indian Girl stitch and glue canoe. The class started Monday morning September 3^rd and by Saturday at noon everyone basically had a complete boat ready to sand and paint. They even had enough time to make a great double paddle for their canoe. Everyone did a tremendous job and the level of craftsmanship was very high. They all built boats that will serve them well for years to come and they did it in 5 ½ days!

Step 1

In the photo labeled Step 1 the template cut from inexpensive ¼ plywood has been temporarily nailed to a flat surface and one half of the plank has also been temporarily tacked in place. Note that both the template and plank have station lines marked and that those marks have been aligned.

Step 2

Step 3

In the photo labeled Step 2 the other half of the plank has been placed on the paper with the scarf turned up and in photo Step 3 both scarfs have been coated with both un-thickened epoxy and a slightly thickened epoxy.

Step 4

In Step 4 the other half of the plank has been turn down so the scarfs mate and the squeeze out has been wiped up.

Step 5

Step 6

In Step 5 the plank is temporarily tacked to the surface to keep it from shifting. Note the mark for station 3 on the plank has been aligned with the station 3 mark on the template in photo Step 6.

Step 7

In Step 7 the template has been removed and a 3/4 thick piece of plywood has been screwed down as a clamp.

Now all that is left to do is repeat the process for each of the six planks. When the epoxy has set and the planks are cleaned up each set of planks will be virtual duplications of each other. This means the boat will assemble easier and be a more fair hull.

Templates for the planks and bottom is just one of several added benefits of an Arrowhead Custom Boat and Canoe kit!

Our boatbuilding kits will be available for purchase via this website shortly. Stay tuned for complete details!

Download the 2007 WoodenBoat School Course Catalog (PDF 2.9 MB) for complete information on the “Build Your Own Voyager or Indian Girl Canoe” course, scheduled September 2 through September 8.

In the meantime, don’t miss your opportunity to pick up a signed copy of David’s first book, The Working Guide to Traditional Small-Boat Sails: A How-to Handbook for Builders and Owners.

“Today was the first day of sea trials for Winnisimmet and Honcho. It was overcast, with drizzle and a cold east wind, but Emily, Christopher, Captain Elvin, Rugs and Captain Papi took the two canoes out for their maiden voyages. Initial reports were nothing but praise for the ease of paddling, turning and great stability. Even Captain Elvin who been known for an unsuccessful Eskimo roll in the kayak was impressed. Captain Papi even stood up and did a n Irish jig while the canoe was underway. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at the “official” christening and launching on Fathers Day, June 17th.” — Richard Honan, Honan Boatbuilding

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