Building a Strip Canoe: Plans for Eight Canoes [Paperback]

Gil Gilpatrick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1985 | ISBN-10: 0899330266 | ISBN-13: 978-0899330266 | Edition: Revised

This completely revised edition includes plans and patterns for eight well-proven designs. Step-by-step directions are accompanied by over 100 photographs plus illustrations. Gil's contemporary construction method augment the traditional wood strips with fiberglass and West System epoxy. The book includes an extensive listing of sources for lumber, tools and supplies. 128 pages.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Delorme; Revised edition (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899330266
• ISBN-13: 978-0899330266
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #940,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Professional & Technical > Transportation > Ships > Boat Building

More About the Author

Gil Gilpatrick has spent his life in outdoor Maine. For 26 years he was an instructor of Outdoor Resources at the Skowhegan Regional Vocational Center. His other major occupation was guiding wilderness canoe trips in northern Maine. Gil considers his life, combining these careers, an ideal blend of his love of the outdoors and that of making hand crafted items. "To see a need, and then set out to fill that need is the most satisfying thing I can think of to do," says the author. But Gil also takes great pleasure in seeing others enjoy the items he has developed and perfected. He has never made any of his gear commercially, rather preferring to make a few for friends and writing about them for others. Gil is a prolific writer and, besides writing free-lance articles when time permits, he is a regular columnist for Maine's Northwoods Sporting Journal, a monthly publication about outdoor Maine.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gilpatrick's book, September 14, 2004

By 

David Slaughter (Clancy, Montana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building a Strip Canoe (Paperback)

About 12 years ago my dad and I built the wabnaki canoe using Mr Gilpatrick's book, and this year I built a Prospector design using Canoecraft, at least in part. I would like to add my opinion abut the relative merits of these books.

Gilpatrick's book is designed, in my opinion, to tell you how to build what used to be referred to in the wood/canvas days as "guide canoes". These were workhorse canoes, without unnecessary decorations, a plain paint job and no frills. Mr Gilpatrick uses his own designs in guiding parties down whitewater rivers in Maine. His book describes how to use 2 layers of fiberglass to strengthen the bottom for whitewater, has complete instructions for caning very comfortable seats, has a good pattern for a portage-comfortable yoke, and has complete plans for all his designs, which only need to be enlarged. He does NOT spend time discussing stems (which are pretty but not necessary and add a lot of work to the construction), scuppered gunwales, accent strips, patterned decks, etc. It is impossible to build a cedar strip canoe which is not pretty, but function takes precedence in this book. His designs are practical and functional and he has proven that his construction methods produce a tough, durable boat. I think a canoe can sometimes be too pretty. If you're afraid to get it scratched up a bit you're not going to be taking it in places you should.

Canoecraft goes into more detail about appearances and has a section on accent strips, shows finely crafted decks with coamings, and uses a construction utilizing stems. The canoe which is illustrated being constructed is the Redbird, and the canoe is absolutely beautiful. The book has very good trouble shooting sections in the chapters. The designs require either a knowledge of lofting or purchasing plans and there is not a lot of discussion on seat construction. A chapter on lofting and on caning seats would add immensely to this book. (Believe me, if you get used to caned seats you'll never have another kind). Also, the canoes are described as being built with a single layer of glass on the outside and inside. I know a fellow who banged such a canoe into a rock on the Madison river and his $3000 investment ended up needing major repair work. My double layered wabnaki has bounced off numerous rocks and ledges in the Big Blackfoot river and has its share of scratches but is structurally intact. I would definitely add a layer of glass if you do any whitewater stuff. You can certainly built a very beautiful canoe with the advice in this book, but I think the two books compliment one another and I used both in building the prospector.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, no nonsense instructions for all levels of experience, May 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Building a Strip Canoe: Plans for Eight Canoes (Paperback)

I have built two of canoes described in Mr. Gilpatrick's book (16" laker and 14" puddleduck) and I adapted his building technique to build a 17'6" redbird design from another strip canoe book. I like Gilpatrick's straightforward, no nonsense instructions. Your final product will be a quality boat but not one of such rarified appearance you will cringe at the inevitable scratches and dings that come with canoeing. Once in awhile lightly sand her all over, paint on a new coat of varnish and the boat will look like new. Don't anticipate the final product, just follow his instructions step-by-step and before you know it about 100 hours of work (not counting glue and epoxy curing time) will yield a nice canoe. Less expensive boat builder epoxy will bring your cost down to about $350 - 400 for materials. Shop around.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An important source for wood strip canoe builders, June 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Coarsegold, California 93614) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building a Strip Canoe: Plans for Eight Canoes, Plus Paddles and Cane Seats (Paperback)

As a new stripper, I have read ever source I could find. This book offered safety instructions, patterns, and an excellant outline of wood strip canoe construction. The techniques in this book differ from others, but all canoe building books authors seem to agree on the point that there is no perfect system. I intend to use many parts of this excellent guide in the building of my canoes. Experience is the best teacher, and Mr Gilpatrick certainly has the experience. I feel the best use of this classic book would be to combine it with your experience and ability, and what you can learn from all other scources, and build your dream boat. I will. Happy paddling.