Building a Lightweight Canoe - Start to Finish

The first episode of the amphibious canoe build and journey across the Scottish Highlands.

Skin-on-frame canoe building has roots tracing back to multiple indigenous cultures around the world. At its core, it involves stretching a waterproof skin (historically hide) over a wooden frame often lashed together with sinew. I chose this method for the amphibious canoe partly because it produces lightweight canoes but also because they tend to be tough and resilient structures. The reveal of the final weight of the canoe and bike mechanism will be in episode 2 during the final weigh-in.

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A massive thank you to my sponsors for this episode:

Brian from Cape Falcon Kayak - for the detailed canoe plans and email support. https://capefalconkayak.com/
Corey from the Skinboat School - for supplying the skin system https://www.coreys.us/
Axminster Tools - for supplying the respirator, block plane, Japanese saw and square. Without the respirator, the project may have never been finished https://www.axminstertools.com/
Ernest Wright - for their incredible scissors. https://www.ernestwright.co.uk/

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
0:30 Wood
1:28 Gunwales
6:12 Stems & Keel
6:38 Ribs
14:01 Stringers
21:41 Stem Upgrade
25:51 Gunwale Reinforcements
28:49 Oiling the Frame
29:37 Skinning
33:52 Rub Rails
37:53 Coating
45:32 Keel Strip