Miniature Canoes | photography

Miniature Woodstrip Canoes

Ready for display at home or cottage

Gifts for any occasions - Private and corporate gifts.

Models of the canoe have evolved since the primitive dug was launched.

"Canoe", is a simple sounding two syllable word, easy to pronounce, ka-noo'. It is also easy to define, "a light, slender boat with pointed ends, propelled by paddles. To see a wood strip canoe with its classic lines and warm-hued natural wood finish makes it as much a work of art as a boat.

Anyone who would build a wood strip canoe today cannot help but gain inspiration from the legacy of the Peterborough and Lakefield canoes that are the unmistakable forbears of all lightweight and "stripped" canoes of today.

As a floating vessel of luxury, the finely finished cedar planked canoe - "the poor man's yacht" - was leagues ahead of its competition, perfectly suited to the leisurely use of quiet lakes and rivers.

My canoe models range from 17 or 19 inches long. Although all of them are made from the same basic plan or patterns, every piece is somewhat unique by including different fittings: the decks may be slightly longer or shorter while different woods may also be used. The paddles may also be cut from a different wood or have a different shape.

Each canoe comes with a driftwood display base.

Overall view of 3 canoes

Detail view

The seats, paddles and yoke are standard features in every piece. The seats are made from a wooden frame and woven thread.

Construction details

Every canoe is build out of strips of cherry wood: that includes the hull as well as the ribs.

They are built upside down over a series of cross stations secured to a building base called a strongback. The basic raw finished hull fitted with ribs, decks, seats, yoke and paddles takes approximately 35 hours to build. Once the construction has been completed, varnishing can take place and consists of 6 coats on the outside and 2 on the inside. Then the seats, yoke and paddles can be fitted in place.