Canoe Building

Randy Pfeifer, and sons Patrick and Thomas Pfeifer spent 13 months hand building a canoe.

A strongback (a long narrow perfectly level table) had to be built first, then forms in the shape of cross sections of the canoe every 11 1/2 inches were attached. Inner stems were added to the curved front and back edge. Then cedar strips were meticulously added one by one to form the shape. Stripping began at the water line at the sides nearest the center and moved toward the bottom center. Where strips meet at the ends, they area attached to the inner stem.

Where there is no stem on the bottom, the ends of the strips had to be trimmed to just the right angle, in both directions. Fiber glass and layers of epoxy were added inside and out. Outer stems are added. Inwales and outwales and decks (triangles at the top of each end) were added and finished and seats were hand caned. The outer hull was sanded and sanded and sanded then clearcoated for a shiny last layer. At last on September 17, the canoe was launched.


The forms on the strongback	Steam bending stems to the form	Gluing the stem laminations


Randy shapes the inner stem	The first strips	The maple leaf at side takes shape


Tips and several side rows stripped	Stripping at the curve of the hull	Thomas helps clamp


Center bottom strips	Ready for the last strips	Adding the outer stem


Patrick sands	Epoxying over the fiberglass fabric	FIberglassing the inside


Attaching gunwales to the side	One of the decks	Patrick's hand caned seat

The Pfeifer Redbird Complete

During the process, the Pfeifers were the benefactors of the advice and experience of many canoe builders who participate in the discussion boards at The Bear Mountain Boat Shop canoe building forum. They are grateful for the help from these many boatbuilders in the United States and Canada.

Prairie Oak Artisans
Gallery in Mineral Point, WI (608) 987-3757 Consulting in Warrenville, IL (630) 393-4598

email: karma@REMOVEBEFORESENDINGprairieoakartisans.com