Building An Arctic Expedition Rowboat

Rowing 2000 miles across the Arctic Ocean, up and over the top of Canada is the "last first" in Arctic exploration. Due to the incredibly harsh and remote environment, choosing the right boat is vital. We felt like nothing on the market was up to the task. So we decided to build our own boats - 19 foot rowboats to be exact. These vessels give us many advantages over a traditional one person craft. Mainly the fact that we can sleep aboard the boat, tucked into a small sleeping cabin which will save us a lot of time compared to making a camp on shore every night.
These boats were designed by Colin Angus of Angus Rowboats. He is based out of Vancouver and offers multiple styles of boat plans. After much talking and research we decided on the Row cruiser. Colin designed this boat himself, making it fairly easy to build in a couple months with little to no boat building experience. Link down below.
This video showcases the building process, followed by a full walk through on the water after we have completed a couple hundred nautical miles working out the kinks. During our month long training run up the west coast of Canada, we spent all but a handful of nights sleeping aboard the boats while being anchored off in small bays or coves. We have much to learn still but are feeling confident in our skills and abilities to complete the Northwest Passage this coming summer.
If you'd like to check out these boat plans and purchase a set for yourself here is the link to Angus Rowboats:
angusrowboats.com
A big thank you to Colin and his partner Julie for all the support and information during this entire process.
If you want more information about our Arctic expedition go to :
northwest-passage.com

[@vipermadman]

Cheers to fellow rowcruiser builders! Have an awesome expedition!

[@skoteoutdoors]

Ehhh shit man.myself and Adam were recently peeping your shit. Nice work with the Sail set up!

[@vipermadman]

@@skoteoutdoors thanks! I copied Colin Angus’ set up 100%. Playing around with the idea of getting a heavy duty sewing machine and re-doing a few things. Stoked on your trip. Ill be following it for sure. I lived in Alaska for 4 years so i love anything arctic. When do you plan to set out?

[@boltholeonabudget6526]

I had no idea boats could be built like this. Crazy. Good luck with the voyage.

[@skoteoutdoors]

yes its a wild world out there when it comes to homemade boats. Id highly suggest checking out Angus Rowboats website. they offer multiple styles of plans. Thanks for your support!

[@johnstenglein9097]

Excellent video of DIY boat building with all the details and attending frustrations when you take on such a huge project. What an accomplishment! Congratulations and all the best on your upcoming expedition. Looking forward to your future updates. ,

[@robbender4129]

Wow Matty...you're actually doing it.. great job on the boats...they look amazing...can't wait to see the documentary ..much respect man!!!✌️

[@skoteoutdoors]

ehhh Rob, thanks dude. we are gonna take a proper crack at this thing man... over the top of Canada we go sir!

[@feralforestfairy]

So absolutely WILD!! what a job you’ve both done building these. Amazing how much storage and gear in the boats you’ve got!!

[@skoteoutdoors]

First comment Bandit woo woo, you are quick off the draw no doubt. thank you and glad you like the boats.... white and blue or red and white? if you had to have one

[@feralforestfairy]

@@skoteoutdoors ah yes, sharp shooter over here haha. I really dig the red, because of the intense contrast of the fire red on the blue oceans, ooh so nice. high visibility and flashyyyy! Nice choice of color Sir!🚣

[@bluwtrgypsy]

Yeah, Matty, so good to see you're still out there. What a terrific job on that boat, wow. I know how difficult it is to construct one, as I helped build an 8 foot dory 12 years ago, ugh! That's something for you to be truly proud of. However, with your many skills I'm not surprised it came out incredibly well. Wishing you the best of everything and look forward to your epic documentary. Safe journey dear friend and blessings,

[@skoteoutdoors]

always out here.. haven't stopped even for a minute Indigo. Really stoked to see you here in the comments as always. Glad you stuck around even though its been awhile. can't wait to share this doc with you

[@ruthclarke9493]

Can’t believe you built that boat!!!

[@skoteoutdoors]

likewise ! lol

[@solobushman]

Awesome build. Going to be a epic journey, but you can do it. Take care

[@skoteoutdoors]

Fingers crossed!

[@majorgunn]

so excited to have the privilege of your company !!! Go you wild and crazy guys!

[@skoteoutdoors]

Glad to have you aboard man! thanks for your support

[@Maritimer]

Really looking forward to the trip Clarkey, Can't wait ! Good luck !

[@skoteoutdoors]

glad to see your name here man. Thanks for holding out with us.. its been awhile.

[@deadpinecollective]

It’s going to be an amazing adventure. I look forward to all your updates!

[@skoteoutdoors]

can't wait to share it all with you

[@ronsierdsma3172]

Nice to have you back! Be safe my friend,,,,

[@skoteoutdoors]

good to be back Ron.. the show hasn't stopped for a minute over here on my end. It takes every bit of time I have to keep the dream alive. Thanks for sticking in there with me!

[@altvibr]

exciting, me and my dad used to build boats like this. Looking forward to the trip documentary.

[@skoteoutdoors]

wow what a lucky kid to grow up building boats.

[@yebo56]

Lovely stuff. I'm convalescing from a tonsillectomy, spending the time learning about row cruisers. And now I really want one, row from Granville in Normandy to Chausey islands.

[@skoteoutdoors]

ouuu wow what a journey that would be! I would highly recommend a row cruiser for any big ocean trip. Reach out to Angus Row boats and talk to Colin. He is falloff great info and happy to share

[@Johndoe1469]

I wish I was this cool

[@skoteoutdoors]

Well crack on mang, no better time than now

[@EzeAdventurer]

DUDEEEE soooo epiccccc!!! Your resolve, your attitude, is inspiring brother. Much success on the next chapter ahead, I'm psyched for you!

[@skoteoutdoors]

Ehh man, thanks for the love. Glad your into it. This is going to be the big one man. Alot or miles to cover up there.

[@EzeAdventurer]

@@skoteoutdoors You can do it. You are an amazing team, I'll be rooting for you guys. Off on my own adventure here in Argentinean Patagonia tomorrow!

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Making history 👍🏻 Impressive fellas 👏

[@skoteoutdoors]

Glad to see you here man. We are going to give it our all

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

I designed and built something very similar nearly 40-years ago I called the Expedition Kayak. Some differences are that I had a sail rig based on a board sail with center board and rudder, and a rowing set-up and a small cuddy cabin in the rear. I could also set up a boom tent over the cockpit when not sailing. I also had a quick attach small bicycle wheel set-up for getting the boat above the high tide line. It would have been nice to have had a solar set-up, as I had a small marine radio which consumed batteries at a voracious rate. My original itinerary was from Olympia, Washington to Malaspina Inlet on the coast of BC, but due to time constraints I left from Horseshoe Bay, BC and returned to same place 15-weeks later. It was a summer of many memories. After high school I had sailed from Olympia, WA. to BC and around Vancouver Island and back to Olympia in a Blanchard Jr. Another trip almost 60-years ago still fresh in my memories.

[@ttmallard]

Hardchine, cool, clever build, many fine moments ... ahhh, me Seattlite row sail seakayak yet luv skull rowing, in Pocock's loft at times, nicely done 🍺

[@colinellicott9737]

Sweet! I'm tempted to try it myself.

[@skoteoutdoors]

I would highly suggest it Colin. Was a wonderful project and very doable for all skill levels. The plans are very precise. If you just take your time its pretty much a giant lego set.. except first you have to make each lego piece. This is my first boat build though and I defiantly would not call myself a proper carpenter. Really think that if I fan build this than anyone can

[@skgsinc1833]

There is nothing Skote can't build 🤝

[@skoteoutdoors]

hahaha love this! until this boat I was mainly a chainsaw carpenter. it really was easier than one may think building this boat. just a lot of hours

[@jakelittle359]

hell ya awesome work cant wait to watch cheers boys

[@skoteoutdoors]

Thanks Jake! Get on it my son

[@restlessperson5258]

I built and rowed one of these. Loved it. As he said, a relatively dry boat.

[@lancejames9228]

respect

[@skoteoutdoors]

Thank you Lance

[@mckenziebabstock6036]

Unreal! Nice work buddy

[@skoteoutdoors]

Thanks Mac! can't wait to get her back home please Jesus after the passage is done and dusted

[@chairofharaboard5422]

Been watching for you and will be cheering you on. Fair winds and following seas!

[@skoteoutdoors]

Thank you very much, we need all the support we can get

[@demondavejeep]

cool stuff ,,,glued watching the build .looking forward to the trip also ,.

[@robertoscarsi3997]

Bravissimo, gran bel lavoro.

[@henninghenningsen4870]

Good work man, way to go!

[@skoteoutdoors]

appreciate it

[@Kroonag]

Noice Matty! Looking forward to this series. Be safe

[@skoteoutdoors]

Thanks Stefan! do our best

[@Flowergurl2000]

Right on!

[@skoteoutdoors]

Hope you got a chance to watch Jana

[@dogbone6315]

In case anyone is watching this for guidance, at the beginning when he’s mixing the resin and hardener, then the cabosil, it shows some fast stirring. I don’t know if that was sped up for the video. But, don’t do this. Epoxy and hardener should be gently folded. And then fold in the cabosil too. I watched a video and mixed it fast as I saw on a video. Pot caught on fire. Then I realized video was sped up. After another 500 pots, I never had one harden up again.

[@skoteoutdoors]

good advice dogbone, and its true. This was my first time using epoxy like this and ended up with more than one hard cup ruined lol

[@darkirondiesel]

How do you just know how to build boats and cabins and stuff it’s wild

[@skoteoutdoors]

bahah dude when I watch your videos I think the same about you taking trucks apart and making them better in some way. I would defiantly think there is way way more Knowledge required for diesel mechanics. Shit I do is just like a big puzzle or lego set really. also wood is easy to hide mistakes lol

[@ultramarinus2478]

Watter plus freezing wind, possible heavy snowing and ice around your cruiser and clogging your rows, among fauna like wallrusses, orcas and polar bears (capable to turn your ship ower just for fun after properly fed on fishes), you might get much more adventure, than you solicited for... Prepare like your life will depend on it.

[@skoteoutdoors]

give me the chills reading your description woof. love it.

[@ultramarinus2478]

@@skoteoutdoors Thanks, that was the intent. The man will depend with his life on training, supplies, gear and luck. Only thing hard to influence is the luck. That makes the planning, obtaining the gear and supplies, training, weather awarness and batman level of preparation for when it will go all wrong. The sail itself can be a breeze, but the MAN has to know what to do if not, and have needed tools, to showel the shxtt, in case it hits the fan. Btw, in planning, i strongly sugest you to contact a person with PROOVINGLY relevant experiences, preferably people living and rowing in same locality, YOU want to visit. Whatewer it will be. Good luck and brake a leg.

[@FATHERSOFBASS]

Your the fkn man

[@skoteoutdoors]

ehhh thanks Father.. nothing to it

[@jamessiberrysaunders402]

Build looks amazing, great work. I’m looking forward to following your progress through the Northwest Passage! I’m interested in building a row cruiser as well and was wondering if you had a rough material list in order to cost out the build before ordering the plans?

[@koszyk]

Boats looks awesome. Look pretty good. Are they good enough to withstand contact with the rocks or some floating debris?

[@julianlukasik9911]

Freaking legends

[@madissiimkull]

She looks gorgeous. What is the name of your boat? How long did it take to build her and how much did it cost?

[@davidmocker6840]

When will the full movie of the expedition be coming out?

[@desvessey8376]

Fellas, what brand are those swaggy overalls you guys like to rock?

[@skoteoutdoors]

we both run different overalls, the heavy wool ones I wear are Big Bill brand and Adams is Livsin

[@kevintravis1807]

Looking to build one a bit bigger. Go from South Africa to uk 7000 miles . Bake beans and water.

[@skoteoutdoors]

many a expedition has run on beans sir, id say that would be some trip. would you be sleeping aboard anchored off or planning on making shore?

[@ibiubu99]

Was the boat parts cut cnc as a kit ? Or plans only ?

[@skoteoutdoors]

We purchased the plans only and built ourselves. There is a video of it here on the channel

[@stanjohnston5690]

What about food and water.Stan from Kingston ontario

[@skoteoutdoors]

Food and water is going to be tricky. For the expedition across the arctic this summer we will be preparing three months of meals prior to departing and free drying and vacuum sealing everything into individual meals. We plan on having a very high fat high carb diet, basic but filling. On an upcoming video of the month training run we just completed on the west coast we will show what we have been eating and talk about the weight loss I encountered in just a month.

[@coyote8777]

PLBs? Way safer (better reach) than the Inreach.

[@whiteraven3753]

EPIRB??

[@MusicMenacer]

Website dont work for me

[@skoteoutdoors]

ya copy that, thanks for letting us no. hard to keep tabs on all the moving parts it seems. myself and Adam aren't the best at staying on top of all the subscriptions and whatnot due to being on the go in the bush so much. we will get on it

[@Joe.Rogan.]

If we gotta bleep swearwords can we just go with an audio cut over the cartoon airhorn noise?

[@skoteoutdoors]

ehh Joe, yes we could have done that. Both I and Adam got a little chuckle out of the horn sound. normally in other videos I would just mute the sound all together.

[@Joe.Rogan.]

@@skoteoutdoors Nice