How to Build a Plywood Canoe
While it is beyond the scope of this article to show you how to build a genuine, professional canoe, you can build a simple plywood canoe with a few basic materials. These can be built in a weekend with minimal experience in woodworking. Because the material is so flimsy, don't paddle out into the middle of nowhere. This is more for a fun and impromptu weekend on the lake.
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Plywood
- Circular saw
- C clamp
- Drill
- Cable ties
- Grease pencil
- Polyester resin
- Glass fiber tape
- Sandpaper
- Edging strips
- Varnish
Instructions
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How to Build a Plywood Canoe
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1
Cut two lengths of plywood to 10 inches by 8 feet. Lay the two strips of plywood on top of each other and hold using a clamp (C clamps work well, but be sure not to dent the plywood). Drill four holes on each end, making sure the holes line up evenly. Thread the holes with small cable ties and tie the wood together.
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2
Customize your canoe. Do this by slowly pulling apart the strips of wood from the middle until it is the width desired.
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3
Get someone to draw the shape of the canoe on another piece of plywood and cut the shape out. Fasten the shape to the bottom of the canoe with small cable ties.
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4
Rub polyester resin and use 2-inch wide glass fiber tape to seal up the boat. Begin on the inside.
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5
Wait for the resin to dry. When it is dry, flip the boat over, and cut off the cable ties. Sand the outside a bit and apply the resin and tape to the outside seams, thereby sealing each seam on both sides.
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6
Apply edging strips to the top of the canoe. Varnish the plywood for some more waterproofing.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure children never get in the boat alone. Insist every passenger wear a life jacket or has a buoyancy aid. Apply resin in a well-ventilated area.
