The cedar strip/canvas canoe has been part of the North American recreational landscape since the second half of the XIXth century. We still use the same building technique today as in that time. Whatever strongly inspired by that of the bark canoe, the method of construction of the cedar canoe differs however from it by the use of a wooden mould covered with metal bands on which the cedar ribs are steam bended and nailed to the gunwales. The structure so formed is then covered with cedar planking to form the hull. (continuation)

The boat is now ready to be removed from the mould. The craftsman completes the construction, then applies a minimum of four coats of varnish inside the canoe. On the hull, he applies a mix of linseed oil mixed with a certain proportion of antifungal. Finally, he will cover the canoe with a cotton canvas. (continuation)

The canvas is then filled with a homemade waterproofing product (a traditional recipe) base on linseed oil and silica powder. It is necessary to let it dry for a month before applying a primer and a minimum of three coats of marine lacquer. (continuation)

All the hard wood components such as decks, gunwales, stems, keels and seats are handmade. The seats are hand caned with natural rattan. All the hardware (stem bands, deck ring, bolts, screws and tacks) is brass, bronze or stainless. 

The building of a 16 foot canoe requires more than hundred working hours