Build a Plywood Canoe

If you have rowed a big slow rowboat and then tried a swift highly maneuverable canoe you will know why most people prefer a canoe. However the biggest problem often is that the conventional multiribbed and thin skinned canoe is difficult and time consuming to build. In addition to this the thin skin is very susceptible to damage.

Using plywood and fiberglass you can build a really tough scrape proof canoe in one tenth the time it takes to build a conventional canoe. Since only one frame is needed this offsets the extra weight of the plywood and the canoe is still light enough for comfortable portaging.

You can build a plywood canoe with the conventional two pointed ends for paddling or with one squared end for use with an outboard motor.

You can build with 1/8 inch doorskin or purchase special marine plywood of 1/8 inch thickness. The latter is hard to find often. The doorskin when finished with two or three coats of urethane varnish is absolutely waterproof and works quite well.

Here is a great plan for a 15 foot plywood canoe which is easy to build:Canoe plan

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