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OPEN
CANOE DESIGNS & PLANS |
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We have18 designs, some with sail, spar, rudder and daggerboard details - although all could take a sail plan.
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Canoes on this Page |
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| 6' Baby Kate | 11' Little Kate | 12' Baby Wren | |||
| 12' Baby Raven | |||||
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Included with each set
of plans - The full canoe catalogue is now on CD in PDF format - this version of the catalogue is packed with colour photographs of our canoe designs (more than on our web pages). The catalogue also has a guide to choosing an open canoe and useful FAQ's pages. The CD also contains a copy of our On-Line Manual which uses 65 colour photographs showing one of our Hazelnut open canoes being built in detail, a copy of a past article on building the Christine Open Trekking Canoe plus an easily printable order form and contact details. Please note that this CD is sent free with each canoe plan and does not need to be ordered separately if ordering a canoe plan from this web site. However, if you do want to order the CD only, go to the Catalogues & Manuals page. (Please note that the cost of the CD is not refundable if you order canoe plans later). Also go to the Catalogues & Manuals page to see details of our new Plywood Canoe Construction Manual which includes details of sail rigs, floats, outboard brackets, seat backs, sponsons, making the canoe in 2 halves etc. |
| We have launched a new site dedicated to canoes and kayaks - go to www.makeacanoe.com where you will find the full range of SFDesign canoes and kayaks plus many more builder's photos of our canoes and sections specifically on strip planked and stitch and tape canoe construction - you can order canoe and kayak plans from this site or the makeacanoe site but you will find a lot more info about our canoes on the new site including a very useful FAQ's page on canoe building (costs, building times etc) and a page on canoe "bits and pieces" - ie. rudders, seats, leeboards, rigs etc. |
| 10' CHRIS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A model maker working for the advertising industry phoned me up and asked me to design a 10’x3’ (3.05m x 0.92m) open canoe for the Labetts Lager advert! Apparently Malcolm the Mountie is to appear in front of the canoe in the advert and anything longer would not get into the shot. The canoe also had to be made quickly and have a traditional round bilge shape. Strip planking was out because of the lack of time, so we designed the canoe with 10 planks per side, all to be cut from ply and stitched and taped together. 10’x3’ is an unusual but convenient size for car topping and she has a very good load carrying capacity for her length. Details are also available for a 15'9" version. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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10' CHRIS FULL PLANS COST |
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EXTRA FOR 15'9" DETAILS |
| SOPHIA 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| This canoe is based on our Christine design. She has a length of 10' (3.05m) and a beam of 26 1/2" (0.67m) with a nice round bilged shape given by having 4 planks per side. There is a buoyancy/storage chamber at each end and she is designed to be used like our Little Kate design, with the crew sitting on the bottom of the boat and leaning against a backrest. Mid hull depth is 10" and she is designed for use by children or a small adult with a double paddle. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SOPHIA 10 FULL PLANS COST |
| 6' BABY KATE OPEN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Baby Kate is a mini development of our Kate series of open canoes - it is meant as a toy and not serious use with a child and can be built from a single sheet of 3 or 4mm plywood. Baby Kate has 5 planks per side and has a midship depth of 7 3/4” (196mm). To the 70mm waterline, she will carry 20kg (45lbs). |
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| Left, a Baby Kate stitched together by Adam Gray - and below, finished. |  |
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BABY KATE CANOE FULL PLANS COST |
| 45 (incl. VAT) |
| 11' LITTLE KATE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Our LITTLE KATE open canoe is a modification of the classic John Rushton Wee Lassie design which he was producing over a hundred years ago. The originals were of lapstrake Cedar planking but we have modified the design so that it can be built using the frameless ply/epoxy or stitch and tape construction. Four planks are used per side and these are simply stitched together edge to edge with wire and sealed with resin/tape or epoxy fillets. She can be made from a couple of sheets of 4mm ply and she weighs around 20 lbs. She is an ideal single canoe for portaging around normally inaccessible back waters. Length 11’6’’ (3.5m); Beam 27’’ (0.69m). NOTE - the plans now give the plank shapes for a 32" beam version for greater carrying capacity. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The example left is by Jordon Boats - www.jordanboats.co.uk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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11' LITTLE KATE FULL PLANS COST |
| 11' KATE OPEN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Kate is similar in length to Little Kate but has a midship section which approaches that of the Christine (so you could look upon her as a shorter version of Christine). Kate has 5 planks per side. |
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Left is Steve Fisher in the first Kate breaking the ice. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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11' KATE CANOE FULL PLANS COST |
| BABY WREN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Baby Wren canoe was designed for Tyrone Boats and is a smaller single seat version of our 15’10’’ Wren Canadian canoe. She has a similar hull shape with a flat (but rockered) bottom hull panel and two chines per side. This makes her construction quick and simple and gives her a very stable hull shape. She has a length of 12’ (3.66m), a beam of 32 1/2’’ (.82m) and a midships depth of 11 1/2’’ (.29m). She uses 3 sheets of 4, 5 or 6mm plywood (exterior or marine) and depending upon the thickness of ply used, will weight around 48 lbs. The Baby Wren canoe has one seat but she could take two if she is to be used by a couple of children. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BABY WREN FULL PLANS COST |
| 12' BABY RAVEN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Baby Raven is a smaller version of the Raven canoe and has a similar midship shape with tumblehome—this puts the maximum beam down at the waterline maximizing stability whilst at the same time making it easier to paddle. She has 3 chines per side giving her a well rounded shape and she is for use by 1 adult or 2 children/adolescents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12' BABY RAVEN FULL PLANS COST |
| 12' ASYMMETRIC BABY RAVEN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This canoe is based upon
our Baby Raven which is an all round general purpose canoe—this
asymmetric version gives a slightly faster craft for single handed use—she
would also make a good sailing canoe and would fill the remit of a
slightly smaller Carrick.
Approx. wht 48 lbs (22kg) in 6mm ply. |
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Above - an example by Trevor Palmer |
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12' ASYMMETRIC BABY RAVEN FULL PLANS COST |
| 45 (incl. VAT) |
| 14' RAVEN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By popular request,
we have shortened the Raven to give a canoe easier to car-top on smaller
vehicles. She can take 2 adults plus camping gear and uses the same
simple stitch and tape construction process. The hull has the Raven
family’s 3 panels per side plus a flat bottom panel and tumblehome
giving her maximum beam down at the waterline. Again, stowage and
buoyancy is built into the bow and stern.
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| The pictures show a nice example by Andrea Bugarelli. |  |
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14' RAVEN FULL PLANS COST |
| FULL PLAN £45 (incl. VAT) |
| WATERMAN 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is a new design for 2001 - we were asked to reduce the length of the Waterman 13 by a foot so that she could be made in 2 boltable halves and fitted into the back of a van for transporting to the water. She was also to be the client’s first venture into sailing and so the drawings show details for 2 rigs, leeboards, rudder and side floats for stability. Other details are similar to the Waterman 13. The drawing showing the floats is also available separately for use on other canoes.
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| Below and example by Colin Day | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
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WATERMAN 12 FULL PLANS COST |
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SEPARATE
FLOAT PLANS COST |
| WATERMAN 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Waterman canoes are more than simple open Canadian type canoes; they are a complete canoeing experience - from simply being a family open day canoe to a camping/sailing/portaging craft capable of being used to explore normally impenetrable rivers and creeks. The Waterman 13 canoe is really a small Guide Boat with a beam of 36", and a central hull depth of 13’’. Being wider than the typical Canadian canoe of this length, she is a very roomy stable craft with the capability to carry a good sail area and to be used to carry a lot of baggage or to fish from. The hull design has 3 chines allowing a wide bodied design for stability whilst at the same time having a low water surface area.
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WATERMAN 13 FULL PLANS COST |
| 12' x 30" ADIRONDACK GUIDE CANOE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| I have often admired
the Adirondack style of Guide Boat with their swept back ends, gorgeous
sheer line—often higher forward than aft and pinched entry and exit to
their waterline—they came in several different sizes and styles—some
with small transoms—and l am not sure that any were ever small enough
to be called canoes, but in this case, our client asked us to use the
Adirondack style with a single canoe size and the result is a very
pretty and efficient little boat for paddling small creeks and waterways
otherwise difficult to get at. Construction is stitch and tape but we can produce the mould shapes for clinker/ply—and watch out later for a wider version for rowing. Approx. wht 40 lbs (18kg) in 4mm ply. |
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Left is the first example by A.P. Bootz | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Below a lovely example of a clinker version by Mick Sanderson |
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ADIRONDACK CANOE FULL PLANS COST |
| 45 (incl. VAT) |
| 12'9" WATERBOY OPEN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This canoe is based upon our Waterman 13 which has been given a larger capacity by introducing tumblehome into the topsides and giving her a little more depth—(14”/0.355m) - this makes her excellent for carrying larger loads on a short length and for open canoe sailing. She has 5 planks per side giving her a well rounded and attractive shape.
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| Above an example stitched by R. Reno. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12' 9" WATERBOY OPEN CANOE FULL PLANS COST |
| 13'9" CHRISTINE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Christine is one of our most popular designs and is a lightweight open canoe for both occasional use and for single long distance trekking. She was designed for a client in Australia who wanted a canoe of similar design to our Little Kate and Pete designs but with a length in between the two. She has a beam of 31" and has 4 planks per side and will take 2 adults. This gives her good stability and a graceful and sleek appearance. The bottom is slightly veed in the middle of the canoe running into a deep 'V' at both ends. This makes her both fast and directionally stable. Christine uses the stitch and tape method of construction (although we can also supply the mould shapes for lightweight clinker ply construction). A total of 3 sheets of 4 or 5mm ply are used and her weight is approximately 35 lbs depending upon the ply used. Note - for further photos, see our Photo Gallery page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Right an example of a 5 plank Christine by Tim Yates |
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Left an example of a half decked sailing version of the 5 plank Christine by Peter Nobes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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13'9" CHRISTINE FULL PLANS COST |
| 14' PETERBOROUGH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is a 14’ version
of our larger Peterborough design but in this case we have gone for a
design with 7 planks per side. She still uses the simple stitch and tape
method of construction and has seats for 2 crew. Midships depth is 12 1/2”
(0.32m) and the tumblehome in her topsides makes her both easy to paddle
and very stable. Below - a nicely varnished example by James Beale |
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Below is another varnished example by Michael Fields. |
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14' PETERBOROUGH FULL PLANS COST |
| 15' WOODLAND | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This
is a clinker/ply open canoe with graceful lines. We have given the hull shape a
fairly fine entry so that she glides on the water and also a good waterline beam
to allow her to carry a substantial rig for open canoe racing. She has 5 planks
per side which are 4mm thick to keep her weight down. The plans give full size
templates for the moulds (sections) to be used on the building jig and details
are shown for the clinker/ply construction process (please note that we can also
develop the plank shapes if a builder wants to build her using simple stitch and
tape methods). She can of course be used without the rig as a roomy and stable
open canoe to take 2/3 adults but she was designed very much with fast and
efficient sailing in mind and to this end, full details are given for the add-on
leeboards, rudder and rig which has an area of 43 sq.ft. (4 sq.m.). |
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15' WOODLAND FULL PLANS COST |
| 14'6" HAZELNUT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The
Hazelnut has been designed for those who want a similar hull shape to the
Peterborough model but without the turned up ends. This gives a flatter sheer
line more like a guide boat—she retains the 5 plank per side shape with
tumblehome for ease in paddling and stability. The ends form tanks for stowage
or buoyancy and construction uses the simple stitch and tape method. |
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| Below is an example by Russell Jackson. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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14'6" HAZELNUT FULL PLANS COST |
| 10' WATERBOY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The
Hazelnut has been designed for those who want a similar hull shape to the
Peterborough model but without the turned up ends. This gives a flatter sheer
line more like a guide boat—she retains the 5 plank per side shape with
tumblehome for ease in paddling and stability. The ends form tanks for stowage
or buoyancy and construction uses the simple stitch and tape method. This
a smaller version of our popular 12’9” Waterboy. The design has the same
high volume hull with tumblehome and 4 planks per side with a narrow flat bottom
as it’s bigger brother. Construction is simple stitch and tape using 4mm ply.
The beam means that the 10’ Waterboy will not be the quickest canoe at this
length but it will certainly be able to take a much larger load and is really
conceived as a minimum length fishing canoe. |
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10' WATERBOY FULL PLANS COST |
REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SHOPPING CART
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POSTAGE
& PACKING (SHIPPING) See the Postage Charge Table (via the Home Page) for further details. |
FOR DETAILS OF THE
STITCH & TAPE
AND CEDAR STRIP PLANK
CONSTRUCTION METHODS SEE THE HOME
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