How to Build an Indian Canoe
Traditionally, many people think of birch bark canoes when they think ofNative Americans. However, dugout canoes were the first canoes made. Before the Europeans came, they were widely used in America as well as all over the world. Indian canoes were once made with stone axes and the wood was set on fire to make it easier to "dig out" , but building one today is a lot easier and less labor intensive with modern tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Safety glasses
- Log (pine, cedar or redwood)
- Chalk
- Chainsaw
- Axe
- Adze
- Saw
Instructions
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1
Sketch the approximate shape of the Indian canoe you want to make. Look for historic designs in books and on the Internet.
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2
Choose a tree, or log several inches in diameter larger than the intended size of your Indian canoe. Look for one with as few defects as possible. If you are cutting a fresh tree, make sure you have permission if you don't own the land, then cut down the tree with a chainsaw or axe, remove the branches and cut to the desired length.
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3
Remove the bark from the length of the log with the axe and the adze. An adze is used for shaping wood, it is similar to an axe, but has a curved blade at right angles to the handle.
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4
Draw the outline of the Indian canoe you want to build onto the stripped log using chalk.
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5
Form a flat bottom by making saw cuts every six inches perpendicular to the length of the log, then splitting out the sections with the axe. Do the same for the top of the dugout Indian canoe.
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6
Cut away all of the unneeded wood from the log using the axe, adze and saw as necessary. Shape the ends of the Indian canoe with the saw to form the bow and stern according yo your chalk outline.
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7
Remove the wood from the center of the dugout (where you will sit), first by making shallow cuts across the grain with the saw, or chainsaw if you are experienced enough to control the cuts, then splitting out the wood with the axe. When most of the wood has been removed, use the adze to finish and smooth out the wood.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't cut your own tree for a suitable log, try searching along the beach for a large piece of driftwood, or purchase a log from a lumber company.
