Start building a canoe
Thin strips of cedar, glued edge to edge and sealed under clear fiberglass, make a canoe you can paddle. Start with a strip-built tray on a table and learn every move. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need to begin.
Space neededA table now, a garage bay later
First projectA cedar-strip tray in a weekend
Skill levelPatient beginner
Good forLong winter projects, a boat you made
The video that hooks everyone
Building a cedar-strip canoe in 30 days
A wooden canoe built from thin strips of cedar in a month, then paddled out on the water. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't.
Starter kit
01Cedar strips, about 1/4 x 3/4 in.A small bundle from a boat-building supplier. Mix light and dark strips for stripes.
02Wood glueYellow glue for the tray. Water-resistant glue for things that get wet.
03Three bar clamps, 18 in. or longerSqueeze the strips together while the glue dries.
04Block planeA small plane that trims edges and ends.
05Card scraperA flat steel card that scrapes off dried glue.
06Sandpaper, 80, 120 and 220 grit + a blockTakes the panel smooth and flat.
07Wax paper or packing tapeUnder and around the glue-up so the panel doesn't stick.
08Wipe-on finishOil or wipe-on varnish. Food-safe if the tray will hold food.
09Dust mask + safety glassesCedar dust bothers lungs and eyes.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Skipping the dust maskCedar dust bothers many people's lungs and skin. Wear a dust mask when you sand and keep the air moving.
- 2Too much glue, or too littleEvery edge needs a thin, even bead. Too much means scraping for an hour. Too little leaves gaps you can see light through.
- 3Letting the panel dry curvedGlue up on a flat board with wax paper under it, and keep light, even weight on top. A twisted panel stays twisted.
