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OPEN
CANOE DESIGNS & PLANS |
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We have 13 designs, some
with sail, spar, rudder , outrigger and daggerboard details - although all could
take a sail plan.
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ORDERING PLANS |
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For each design you can order either: |
| PRINTED PLANS sent to you by post - Postage will be added to your order - see postage costs at the bottom of the page |
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OR |
| PDF PLANS sent to your email address - make sure we have your email address when you order. |
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Canoes on this Page |
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| 17' Prospector | Guide 18 | 18' Ralph | 18' Marathon | 20' Marathon | 17' Hazelnut | 18' Waka Ama | 24' Tikopian |
| 20' Freight | 35' Dragon | 40' Dragon | 16' Koa | ||||
| 17' PROSPECTOR OPEN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The above example is by Alec Jordan (Jordan Boats). Below an example by Julian Allwood and family. |
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| Right and below is an example by Simon Hunt. |
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We
developed the hull panel shapes for a stretched version of the Fisher
Prospector some time ago and now we have completed the set of drawings.
She has the same 5 planks per side, generous rocker to the bottom and
tumblehome in her topsides that the original version has.
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6mm ply, she weighs approximately 95lbs (43kg). |
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| Simon Muller has set up a blog detailing his build - go to www.wir-bauen-ein-boot.ch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ORDER THE 17' PROSPECTOR CANOE PLANS |
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| GUIDE 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The
Guide 18 is a large open canoe for carrying a crew of up to 5 people and/or gear
safely over long distances. She has a well rounded hull shape and uses 5 planks
per side. The hull has tumblehome putting the greatest beam down at the
waterline. Construction uses the stitch and tape method with 6 sheets of 6mm ply. She may be fitted out in various different ways to suit your own purpose. |
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For a YouTube film of the Guide 17 go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn793bT4R-8 |
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ORDER THE GUIDE 18 CANOE PLANS |
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| 18' RALPH | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ralph has been designed as an open trekking canoe. The client who asked us to draw her up wanted a large open canoe that could take a family safely exploring Scottish sea lochs. She therefore had to handle the short chop and winds that often cut across open sea lochs. We have come up with an 18’ canoe with a generous 36’’ beam which has a mid section with some tumblehome in it. The tumblehome moves the point of widest beam down towards the waterline so increasing form stability and also makes it easier to paddle the canoe without scrapping the paddle on the gunwale. In the Ralph design, the tumblehome is combined with a shallow ‘V’ to the bottom to keep the wetted surface area and therefore the resistance, down and we have used a fairly fine forward section so that she does not slam in waves. Construction is based upon simple stitch and tape methods using 4 ply planks per side (shapes are given on the drawings) and she uses 4 sheets of 4,5 or 6mm ply. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The example here is by Dave Burke - bottom right is the Ralph beside an Esk 12 he also built - you can follow some of his adventures on https://www.dave-burke.co.uk/2012/09/ralph-twenty-years-on/ and https://www.dave-burke.co.uk/2012/09/great-glen-canoe-trail/ |
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ORDER THE 18' RALPH CANOE PLANS |
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| 18'6" MARATHON ASYMMETRIC CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Below is a beautiful example of a Marathon by Eric Nelson - the right hand photo also shows one of our 15'7" Peterborough's again built by Eric Nelson - Eric commented that the Marathon "tracks like a train and is ridiculously quick" and the Peterborough is both "agile and a pleasure to paddle". | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The 18’6” Marathon open canoe has been designed for serious long distance
paddling. She has 5 planks per side and uses the stitch and tape method of
construction for ease, low cost and lightness. Her hull shape is asymmetric
giving her a low drag shape with buoyancy positioned to keep her at level trim
when moving quickly—and we have given her some tumblehome in the topsides to
make paddling easier.
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Below - Jon
Lawson's Marathon 18
- 'The
highlight was taking it on the Great Glen trip for its first test. Once
up to speed it glides effortlessly and is surprisingly stable. We were
regularly cruising over 3 knots with ease. We've used it since with 3
people, a dog and camping gear - still went well with loads of room to
spare! For distance and speed, it paddles better than any other canoe I've been in.' |
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Please note that there is now a 15' version of the Marathon canoe - https://www.selway-fisher.com/Opcan15.htm#HON |
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ORDER THE 18' 6" MARATHON CANOE PLANS |
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| 20' x 28" MARATHON ASYMMETRIC CANOE | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This design is a development
of the 18’6” Marathon open canoe with it's easily driven asymmetric
hull shape. Beam has been reduced to 28" which is positioned down
at the waterline. Like her smaller sister she has 5 planks per side and uses the stitch and tape method of
construction for ease, low cost and lightness. Again she has tumblehome in the
topsides making her easier to paddle.
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Please note that there is now a 15' version of the Marathon canoe - https://www.selway-fisher.com/Opcan15.htm#HON |
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ORDER THE 20' MARATHON CANOE PLANS |
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| 17' HAZELNUT OPEN CANOE CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| This example is being made in two boltable halves by Mark Tootall. | 
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The requirement was
for a canoe with the same stability, capacity and maneuverability as the
17' Prospector but without the high swept back ends and a flatter sheer
line. So I took the Prospector model and kept the same mid-section with
it's tumblehome and stable shape and remodeled the ends to give a more
guide-boat feel to them.
Construction is the
usual simple stitch and tape method with 5 planks per side - she will
take a rig, leeboards and rudder so the standard 15'8" Prospector
rig details are sent with the plans.
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ORDER THE 17' HAZELNUT CANOE PLANS |
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| 18' WAKA AMA HAWAIIAN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This is an outrigger
canoe of classic Hawaiian design. Classes of these craft are very popular,
especially in places like New Zealand where they are raced in various
lengths—this example being one of the shortest. They are noted for their
stability and carrying capacity in use both off shore and inland and are
sometimes seen carrying a simple sail—a very versatile craft—the main
hull can be built in 2 halves. Construction is simple stitch and tape and
the beams are tied to the hulls |
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ORDER THE 18' WAKA AMA CANOE PLANS |
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| 24' TIKOPIAN CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Tikopian 24 is based on the 18' Waka Ama and uses the same stitch
and tape plywood construction process. She has 4 seats plus stowage
compartments in the ends of the canoe but can be fitted out in various
ways - ie. with more seats and storage. The Tikopian 24 uses the same
float/outrigger as the Waka Ama and comes with the sail rig of the
Dragon 40 for those who want to go for a full platform and sail option.
The hull can be built in 2 boltable halves and two hulls could be built
to form a high volume catamaran. |
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ORDER THE 24' TIKOPIAN CANOE PLANS |
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| 20' SEAJAY | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| This is a larger version of the Beaver design incorporating the same simple compound hull construction with a ‘U’ shaped mid section and a gentle ‘V’ section at either end. The drawings show an optional double masted rig for easy sailing and also optional floats to make her stable for use by the disabled and for teaching young children. However, with a 40’’ beam to the hull, she is also, in her own right, a stable portaging canoe with plenty of space for taking stores. The drawings show her built in two halves and hinged at the centre so that one half of the hull stows on top of the other for easy transport. She uses 6 sheets of 6mm plywood in her construction. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
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| The above example is of a shortened Sea Jay by Revd. J. Mountney and below is a full length example by Andrea Bulgarelli. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 
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ORDER THE 20' SEA JAY CANOE PLANS |
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| 20' FREIGHT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This
canoe has been designed for a client who wanted a canoe which would take a crew
of 8 or so adolescents. She is designed to be built and transported in two
halves (although she can be built in one piece) and bolted together at the
waters edge. Construction is based upon the simple stitch and tape method using
pre-shaped hull panels. Buoyancy may be built-in under the seats or these areas
may be used for stowage. She may use a similar sail plan to that shown for the
20’ Sea Jay and she can be fitted with outriggers. Large canoes of this type were used for transporting freight in North America and we have retained the same type of hull section which has tumblehome to produce a wide waterline beam. She has 4 planks per side with a shallow ‘V’ to the bottom. She uses approximately 8 sheets of 6mm Exterior or Marine plywood and weight will be approximately 180 lbs. See Wilfried G. Stuckmann's web site at www.kle.nw.schule.de/hanna-heiber-schule/kanadier/ for a Freight 20' under construction. |
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| Above, an example by James Berwick. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ORDER THE 20' FREIGHT CANOE PLANS |
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| 35' DRAGON RACING CANOE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This
is a 7 or 8 man racing canoe (plus steersman) for stitch and tape plywood
construction using mainly 12mm plywood. She can be made in boltable
sections and therefore shortened/lengthened amidships to vary the number
crewing her.. She
has been designed to replace some of the solid wood boats used in Thailand
and has a simple 2 chine hull section making her both stable and easy to
build. |
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| Below is an example by Arthur Jacobs in Thailand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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35'
Dragon Particulars Hull
Shape |
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ORDER THE 35' DRAGON CANOE PLANS |
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| 40' DRAGON | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Well,
this is a boat for the purely insane or totally inebriated!, and it is an
example of the wide range of boat designs that we are asked to produce from
clients all over the world. Basically, she is a slightly thinned and greatly
stretched Waterman canoe and with her side float is designed to take 10 hefty
paddlers for what is becoming a popular (if not spectacular) canoe racing event. |
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| Below is an example of a Scout project in the US to build and get fun from a Dragon 40 - for the full story and plenty of photos of the build go to https://www.boxwelltroop.com/pick-a-week-2014-stahl/canoe-build.html | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ORDER THE 40' DRAGON CANOE PLANS |
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| 16' KOA HAWAIIAN FISHING CANOE (May be extended) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This design is a modern
interpretation of the traditional Koa fishing canoes which were 'dugouts'
and made from a single log. The hull has a narrow flat bottom with 4
planks per side - the top hull panel has some tumblehome in it to emulate
the log shape. Plank lengths fit within 2 standard 8' (2440mm) lengths of
plywood. The hull is symmetrical about the centre frame and details are
given to make the hull in 2 bolt able halves. This also means that the
hull can be extended by fitting a section in the middle of the hull
- potentially, using standard plywood sheets an 8' section could be
inserted making the canoe 23'4" long.
Details are given for the Ama and beams used with the 18' Waka
Ama. |
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REVIEW THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SHOPPING CART
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Post & Packing Charges when Ordering Printed Kayak Plans |
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The postal charges on individual items are:
All posted items are usually sent by Royal Mail International Tracked Service. The Post and Packing charges for orders which include more than one item are combined to give a lower P&P charge than if the items are charged separately. Note - if you wish to order both Printed and PDF (emailed) items, these orders are handled separately on different secure payment systems. |
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SEPARATE FLOAT, SAIL & LEEBOARD PLANS COST |
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| Below are photographs of the Ranger floats used on a 15'8" Fisher Prospector by Steve Cullis. | |
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Note- we
can supply the plans for the Waterman 12 float, rudder and leeboard
details together with the plans for the Ranger canoe at a cost of £15
(UK/EU) |
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(Approx. 18 Euros/$20 USD) |
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FOR DETAILS OF THE STITCH & TAPE
AND CEDAR STRIP PLANK
CONSTRUCTION METHODS SEE THE BOAT BUILDING
METHODS PAGE