Kevlar is a strong (40% stronger than fiberglass) material, perfect for building light-weight (35 pounds for a 17-foot canoe), fast, maintenance-free canoes. The only problem with Kevlar canoes is their cost--$2,000 or more. With this book, the most inexperienced home builder can turn out a handsome canoe for an investment of about $600 and a few weekends. The principal tools needed are a sharp pair of scissors and a $5 hand plane--and the method is astonishingly easy and forgiving. Featured are designs for a stable family canoe, a solo canoe, and a wilderness tripper, any of which can be built right from this book.
Review quote:
``Even though we didn't build a Kevlar canoe ourselves with the book, its easy-to-follow directions certainly make us want to.'' (Paddler)
``Moran exemplifies the shade-tree inventor and craftsman who, working alone and without professional training, hits on a better way of doing a thing. You'll enjoy his approach.'' (Rhode Island Boating)
Table of contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Some Good Advice Part One. About Canoes Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Canoe History Chapter 3. Principles of Canoe Design Chapter 4. Some Words About Safety Part Two. How to Build with Kevlar Chapter 5. The Basics Chapter 6. Setting Up the Stations Chapter 7. Making the Mold Chapter 8. Molding the Hull Chapter 9. Finishing Your Canoe Part 3. Appendices Appendix A: Metric Conversions Appendix B: Hull Repair Appendix C: Canoe Camping Appendix D: Sources of Materials Glossary Index
As any canoe enthusiast knows, Kevlar is the perfect hull material for building strong, light (35 pounds for a 17-footer), fast, maintenance-free canoes. Far superior to fiberglass, Kevlar--literally bulletproof and virtually indestructible--has one drawback: It's expensive. A factory-built Kevlar canoe can easily sell for $2,000 or more. Here's a low-tech method for building high-tech canoes from Kevlar. With this book, the most inexperienced home builder can turn out a handsome canoe for an investment of about $600 and a few weekends. The building method centers on the foam sheathing used in home insulation, drywall compound, a $5 hand plane, and a sharp pair of scissors. Boatbuilding doesn't come any easier than this. Ingenious, simple, and inexpensive. Here is all you need to know to build a light, strong, maintenance-free Kevlar canoe in your backyard or basement--without an elaborate tool collection or years of boatbuilding experience. A Tripper for Extended Wilderness Journeys A Stable Family Canoe A Swift Solo Canoe
Kevlar, the miracle fiber from DuPont, is literally bulletproof. Factory-built Kevlar canoes are light (35 pounds for a 17-Footer), strong (40% stronger than fiberglass canoes that weigh twice as much), fast, and maintenance-free. They offer just about everything except a reasonable price. But cost is no longer an obstacle. With this book, the most inexperienced home builder can turn out a handsome canoe for an investment of $600 (20% to 30% of the typical purchase price) in one or two weekends. Moran's low-tech method for building these high-tech boats centers on the pink foam sheathing used on houses, a $5 plane, and drywall compound. The method is astonishingly easy and forgiving. The book provides complete plans and building instructions for a stable family canoe, a swift solo canoe, and a wilderness tripper.
Review quote:
``Even though we didn't build a Kevlar canoe ourselves with the book, its easy-to-follow directions certainly make us want to.'' (Paddler)
``Moran exemplifies the shade-tree inventor and craftsman who, working alone and without professional training, hits on a better way of doing a thing. You'll enjoy his approach.'' (Rhode Island Boating)
Table of contents:
Preface Acknowledgments Some Good Advice Part One. About Canoes Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. Canoe History Chapter 3. Principles of Canoe Design Chapter 4. Some Words About Safety Part Two. How to Build with Kevlar Chapter 5. The Basics Chapter 6. Setting Up the Stations Chapter 7. Making the Mold Chapter 8. Molding the Hull Chapter 9. Finishing Your Canoe Part 3. Appendices Appendix A: Metric Conversions Appendix B: Hull Repair Appendix C: Canoe Camping Appendix D: Sources of Materials Glossary Index
As any canoe enthusiast knows, Kevlar is the perfect hull material for building strong, light (35 pounds for a 17-footer), fast, maintenance-free canoes. Far superior to fiberglass, Kevlar--literally bulletproof and virtually indestructible--has one drawback: It's expensive. A factory-built Kevlar canoe can easily sell for $2,000 or more. Here's a low-tech method for building high-tech canoes from Kevlar. With this book, the most inexperienced home builder can turn out a handsome canoe for an investment of about $600 and a few weekends. The building method centers on the foam sheathing used in home insulation, drywall compound, a $5 hand plane, and a sharp pair of scissors. Boatbuilding doesn't come any easier than this. Ingenious, simple, and inexpensive. Here is all you need to know to build a light, strong, maintenance-free Kevlar canoe in your backyard or basement--without an elaborate tool collection or years of boatbuilding experience. A Tripper for Extended Wilderness Journeys A Stable Family Canoe A Swift Solo Canoe
Kevlar, the miracle fiber from DuPont, is literally bulletproof. Factory-built Kevlar canoes are light (35 pounds for a 17-Footer), strong (40% stronger than fiberglass canoes that weigh twice as much), fast, and maintenance-free. They offer just about everything except a reasonable price. But cost is no longer an obstacle. With this book, the most inexperienced home builder can turn out a handsome canoe for an investment of $600 (20% to 30% of the typical purchase price) in one or two weekends. Moran's low-tech method for building these high-tech boats centers on the pink foam sheathing used on houses, a $5 plane, and drywall compound. The method is astonishingly easy and forgiving. The book provides complete plans and building instructions for a stable family canoe, a swift solo canoe, and a wilderness tripper.