Paper Canoe - made in lockdown

To answer a lot of comments; I know of multiple other “paper canoes” or “paper mache canoes” constructed in the same way. I didn’t invent the name for clickbait, that’s just what they’re called. Yes I used a single layer of 6oz fibreglass cloth inside and out, exactly the same amount of fibreglass as is used in the construction of a cedar strip canoe... which gets called a cedar strip canoe, not a cedar strip and fibreglass and hardwood and bronze screws and bolts canoe. No that’s not “cheating” that’s just how they’re made.
A few weeks ago we went into a lockdown in New Zealand to deal with Covid-19, I wasn't able to work from home so I had lots of time to get on with a project I've been thinking about for a while; a paper canoe.
I'm currently building a cedar strip canoe (15ft Prospector, plans from bearmountainboats.com) and it was at the stage that I had built the hull, faired and fibreglassed it. Which is the perfect time to use that as a form to mould paper mache around. I did about 12 layers of paper (maybe more) and used a copy of a popular canoe building book 'canoecraft' as the inside layer of the canoe, because I didn't fancy having a copy of our local paper on display forever and I thought it'd be funny. I put a layer of 6oz fibreglass on the inside and outside making it completely waterproof and strong enough to be actually used as a canoe. Just like in the construction of a cedar strip canoe.
After fibreglass it was still a bit floppy and I was worried at weather or not this would actually work but once I got all of the wood trim on the hull had a lot more strength and rigidity, still a lot more flexible than a cedarstrip canoe. I added a thin top cap of wood to the gunwales to stop water getting into the paper layers.
I usually go canoeing with friends so I am not usually a solo paddler, this was my first time in a long time solo paddling a canoe so I am not as effective, efficient or graceful as I could be with a lot of practice haha... however I was happy with how it handled as a solo canoe so I think I will install a single seat towards the centre as I'll have two other cedar strip canoes setup for tandem paddling anyway!
I don't know the exact weight of it but its about the same as a cedar canoe, maybe a bit lighter.
If you want to try this yourself it might pay to experiment with paper mache to avoid the lumps that I got, I didn't want to redo the paper mache as I didn't want to waste the book I used on the inside layer and I wasn't 100% sure how this would work!
If you're interested in what I'm up to at the moment I post more regularly on my instagram account / davidbrynparker you should follow me there! And subscribe for more videos like this.

[@merilynsimonds220]

Ouch! As the author of that book that was cut apart, I found this a tad painful-but ingenious. Almost as hard to make a canoe from a book as it was to make a book from a canoe.

[@DavidParker]

Haha oh my goodness sorry! I actually hadn’t thought to check the book, I didn’t even realise it wasn’t written by Ted! I did buy a second copy specifically for this purpose (my first copy is still in tact, despite a few marks here and there when I’ve been referencing it in the workshop). I had seen someone use newspaper for one and I didn’t like our local paper that much and thought I might as well spend a little money and have something I loved (that also obviously pointed out the canoe was made of paper) visible instead; Canoecraft was the obvious choice as it was the book that inspired me to get into building canoes and still in print and widely available so I wasn’t destroying a rare artifact! But also making a canoe out of a book about how to make a canoe was just a funny concept to me! I hope you’re not offended!

[@yosserc]

Wonderful comment!

[@brianglendenning1632]

Wow - cool comment Merilyn

[@theone-swta]

Next time: Playmates of the month...

[@brainclerk4431]

@@theone-swta great minds think alike !

[@tedrice1026]

There was a factory in Troy, NY that built paper boats in the 1800's. They got special paper from Crane in Massachusetts. Their main line was racing shells, but they also built canoes. A man named Nathaniel Bishop bought one in the 1870's and canoed down the Hudson and then what later became the Inland Waterway to the Gulf of Mexico. One of his biggest problems was people sticking it with their pocketknives to see if it really was paper! He wrote a book "Voyage of the Paper Canoe" which is still available.

[@bobdickweed]

Well thats the first time i have seen someone make a Canoe from a book, about making a Canoe...Great work mate

[@jmyers9853]

i have the same book but couldn't cut it up like that.

[@DavidParker]

j myers haha I bought a second copy as I still need my other copy for building my cedar strip canoe!

[@m.b.82]

Ok now make a coffee table out of coffee table books

[@amoore-zd9zv]

Or using sandpaper to sand paper

[@dwaneanderson8039]

Now somebody needs to write a book about how to make a canoe out of a book, so someone can can make a canoe out it.

A friend of mine made a 16 foot drift boat entirely out of old oak pallets. It turned out beautiful. Great video sir. Thanks

[@samuelsocolofsky874]

How to make a canoe: Step 1 make a canoe to use as the mold.

[@tucuma7308]

Oops. No canoe in my garage - guess I'm out of luck. Can I make a paper 12 foot tin boat?

[@upsidedown1986]

😝😂

[@josephinethalmann2985]

Haha

[@iconoclastvii]

How to make a 'paper' canoe... use fiberglass 🙄

[@michaelfarmer9901]

And all I did in lockdown was watch KZbin videos on what I could do in lockdown! Awesome job!

[@GergC0521]

This was so completely enjoyable! Thank you!

[@felixcat9318]

I thought the title of the book you used was hilarious, entirely fitting and very witty! I was mesmerised at the beauty of the wooden canoe you used as a form. As paper is derived from wood your canoe may be considered to be a wooden craft. This was interesting, informative and entertaining, and I'm happy to subscribe.

[@theresamccune1881]

Great video! The best part is the way you didn't add obnoxious music to it, but just left the natural sounds of the build. Super double thumbs up!

[@stevetomlinson7343]

This is simplicity and creativity at it is best...great craftsmanship. You deserve a big THANKS

[@susannekalejaiye4351]

It's beautiful, and fascinating. Thank you for posting

[@sarveshbhalerao]

Amazing creativity and beautiful peace of work. Only during childhood we used to make paper boats to play in the puddle, but in real sense you made paper boat in which we can actually travel. Thank you so much for sharing the video.

[@lessimmons5690]

Beautiful and wholly unique! Amazing job.

[@robertbarbutti6672]

you have immortalized the canoe making bible! I love it! Both canoes look lovely. I own Grumman Aluminum canoes.... they are pretty durable, but those are gorgeous!

[@voornaam3191]

But do you know the origin of the paper canoe?! You sound like a sympathetic nitwit. Nice guy, but you really have no idea of the paper canoe history. Please check it, there is more to it, than you'd think.

[@robdude1969]

@@voornaam3191 why the rude comment?

[@quercus4730]

When skill can be described as art. Good video, Thank You.

[@dcvariousvids8082]

One of the best self built canoes I’ve seen. And as great vid too!

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

Your canoe is wonderful. I like that the news print shows.

[@scotta7753]

That was FASCINATING!!! Thanks for sharing! Nice shoo. 👍🏻

[@petercoleman6749]

beautiful work Dave,you never fail to amaze me

[@Debbie4729]

Well-good for you! It's good for you to keep busy doing a different kind of project.I started a quilt with old jeans and other fabric that I had laying around,and that gave me somethingto do during our rainy season.It kept me from goin crazy!

[@lawrencemartin6041]

Stunning work. What a lovely thing to do!

[@miltonmiller]

I absolutely appreciate the sense of humor. Thanks!

[@joseurena6549]

You are an excellent craftsman! Your work is expert level and I love your work.

[@mohameddocrat4393]

Nice build and great to have the space and a well equipped shop!

[@TheFilet13]

So 2 things you done a boat made by paper and is absolutely stunning!

[@kenc8022]

Congrats for a job well done from another canoeist who has used cellulose-based naval architecture. Mine was similar but used rather mundane kraft paper. Yours is sheer inspiration!

[@laurenzimmermann8562]

Your combination of skill and creativity is incredible. Thank you for sharing! It may inspire some unusual projects around my home in Portland, OR now.

[@GergC0521]

I went to Ireland last fall to see the country of my grandparents and upon return to the US, I decided I would try to build an updated version of the Currach, the traditional Irish Boat (supposedly some 6th century Irish monks sailed in one to Iceland, Greenland, and N. America). That should be unusual enough :-D

[@voornaam3191]

@@GergC0521 Do check the Saint Brendan project, some British historians have built a replica Brendan boat, and sailed it to North America. Wooden frame, ox leather skins, sea water resistant grease by cooking sheep wool. The men who keep the royal coaches leather in good condition, true experts on leather, they helped out on the needle work. This way a curragh was built centuries ago, indeed. Do check modern "skin on frame" canoes and kayaks. No more linen, it is some bullet proof fabric, today.

[@RobbsHomemadeLife]

When you added the pages from the book I subscribed. Good job! Look forward to more videos.

[@jshamis]

"Rosy red and electric blue, I bought you A paddle for your paper canoe" Cosmic Charley- The Grateful Dead

[@DavidParker]

Yes I did use fibreglass inside and out, exactly the same way and amount as you would in building a cedar strip canoe, which is why I called it a paper mache canoe. If you're interested in the process I’ve put a bit of detail in the video description, would love to see some more paper canoes being made and maybe people have ideas on how to get a smoother paper hull before fibreglass? If you’re interested in the cedar strip canoe I’m using as a mould I’m posting updates of the build on my Instagram account instagram.com/davidbrynparker and hopefully will have a video of that in the not too distant future!

[@leannemunro7361]

I recognise the book. My husband used it as a manual when we made a canoe while living in New York 2002. We still have that book on our shelf.. and the canoe hanging from our ceiling in Wellington. Watching the fibreglass cloth go on brought back memories!

[@GOLDSMITHEXILE]

I've attempted to make gourd type forms from layered and glued paper (which is what you have here) Strictly speaking papier mache is I believe more of a putty type material that is mouldable like clay. But I had the same issues you did-unsightly lumps and bumps. Ihad initially used scissor cut squares of strong cartridge paper alternating with newspaper (to see where I'd covered layer by layer) and home made wheat flour paste. But I was getting bumps. I tried sanding with coarse 60 or 80 grit which helped, but I found you have to be very methodical and fastidious where you place your overlaps, staggering them instead of have them all on top of each other. Also thinner paper torn with rough edges and WELL SOAKED with paste smooths better in my experiance. Maybe use a layer of papier mache (soft clay-like) as a final surface filler before glass and rresin as a sort of paper carbody filler?? I believe the french used to make furniture from paper, it can be structurally very strong

[@GergC0521]

I've been looking at many skin on frame kayak videos and one gentleman made a PVC frame and to test, he wrapped it in cellophane and went paddling in it. So maybe, just a frame wrapped in cellophane would be an acceptable mould for a paper boat?

[@GergC0521]

@@GOLDSMITHEXILE paper mache uses a wheat paste of flour and water. I'd almost want to use Elmer's or a similar glue which is what it looked like in the video.

[@briandelgado5596]

Maybe use a roller to get the paper smooth

[@Maranatha1968]

Wow, how awesome! 🤝🏼 I like this boat! Nice.

[@silkehartung]

That's so amazing, Dave!

[@kf4293]

How could anyone not like this? Hilarious idea, I enjoyed watching. I think I'll stick with plywood on my first build though. :)

[@darrenhall2919]

Outstanding!!! Very impressive, thanks for sharing!

[@flysomethingdamitdotcom8788]

Your canoe paddling skills are beautiful and way above average!

[@DavidParker]

Haha just don’t try and get me to start from a stop still, I’ll work it out eventually and I’ll enjoy practicing!!

[@wayfarerchris.4116]

I have often thought about making a paper mache canoe. Well done to you for doing it, it looks great 👍.

[@MN-bf9sl]

Just got Small Boat Magazine and went straight here to search! They should have linked the vid in the article. Great Job!

[@ThePursuitofPassion]

Nice job! A canoe that will always make for an interesting read.

[@buynsell365]

LMAO !!!! This is awesome !!!! I love the fact you made the canoe from a canoe book......AND you can see the pages from inside the boat.......This has to be hands down the most original boat build I have ever seen. Keep up the great work.

[@richsmith9063]

Yes I've got that on my bucket list. I've been intending to build a paper canoe for a long time now....

[@CheekyMonkey1776]

I love the fact the inside of the Canoe is lined with pages of a canoe book. Nice touch.

[@Skyhors3]

When I was a kid, my Dad made a kayak for me from brown paper - 3 or 4 inches wide, and coats of shellac In between. Just wanted to add that.

[@psocretes8183]

I looked up the paper boat maker E. Waters & Sons and they used shellac too. Shellac is the casing of beetles also used for French polish.

[@billyandrew]

How did you fit into the kayak, unless you were unfeasibly small? Or do you mean he made a model kayak for you? 😜😂😂😂

[@Theoriain1]

Fantastic and you made it look so easy, enjoy

[@jadekayak01]

Love your sick sense of humor using that book to make your canoe.👍

[@thomasblackwell9507]

An “Escape From Alcatraz” special well done!

[@ameliatribeofissachar7311]

That was the first thing I thought of BWAHAAA. 🙏🏽

[@giampaoloevangelista2]

congratulations you are a true artist. every movement is right and thought, nothing is left to chance. your gift is enviable.

[@audhildbenjaminsen665]

Very nice,in the twenties I know folks in Norway made canoes the same way,instead of polyester they used paint as a binder, and worn out sails instead of paper,very light in weight and durable if you let it dry/store it in a shelter.

[@speedbuggy16v]

That may be the fanciest paper boat I have ever seen, very cool!

[@barry1903]

Incredible! You're very talented!

[@StepvanDan]

That was really cool thank you for sharing big hugs from Minnesota

[@chris-terrell-liveactive]

Nice work, I like the way you use a book about canoes on the inside!! Happy paddling!

[@Forrest_C]

Great project! Loved how you used a book about building a canoe to actually build a canoe. :)

[@astroknott5877]

I guess this is what happens when you’re really really bored and sick of Netflix. Awesome job!

[@almehdimaceraty6471]

Wowww! You can buy a cheap canoe and make it as your factory mold of canoe making ! Such a great idea worth millions

[@SG-uh6sw]

One thing ive learned in this youtube world is the doers always gotta answer some kinda comments from people who never did a thing in their whole existance on earth , you dont owe anyone an explanation about using fiber glass . Great work !!!

[@russellstuart9907]

So because I call it what i is a fiberglass canoe with internal decoration of paper mache I must have never done anything in my life. Wow that's arrogant

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@russellstuart9907 who the cap fits let them wear it

[@DavidParker]

Some people will get upset at anything

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@DavidParker exactly

[@SG-uh6sw]

@@DavidParker keep doing you !! Stay awesome

[@kellerwong9842]

You will never go bored with this kayak! Cos you can read along the whole time in it! Hehe

[@shanebeaudrot777]

Great job. Very resourceful and cool practical project.

[@christinebrown7934]

Wow!!! I’m so impressed! Awesome!!

[@jeffbaxter8770]

Beautiful work.

[@adamnurdin8224]

Thanks god, you keep your sanity during lock down. Great work mate, salute from Indonesia

[@Dave-xh9oc]

Zero woodworking skills, so this gives me some hope. Thanks!

[@lajoyalobos2009]

Some people will be able to do this with all their hoarded toilet paper 😆

[@tommypetraglia4688]

Hey, for nearly 8 weeks I was wiping my butt with newsprint 🤣 The dozen box tissue was reserved for the mrs.

[@thevikingoli8847]

That's right what we're they thinking in the great wwrs it was food in 2020 its toilet paper damn fools. Nice comment 👍👍🤘🤘🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@georgesheptak5657]

If you want a $hity canoe , then use toilet tissue. Yikes !

[@albertapeet]

lajoyalobos2009 they could use to go up sh!+ creek without a paddle.

[@chasewithrow4008]

Shitty job

[@fynnjackson2298]

Solid build bro, live it!! 😁

[@heclanet]

You really look like you're an artist and craftsman, very nice work

[@pathardage1880]

This is delightful. Thank you.

[@krishoogstraat6866]

Very nice looking canoe. Well done.

[@TheEvertw]

You are certainly putting book-knowledge to practical use!

[@jimmysqueezyronin5623]

Wow! This wins the internet today!! Good job

[@haroldcromack1065]

Very nice job a true craftsman 👍🇺🇸

[@firstnlastnamethe3rd771]

That's an incredibly beautiful canoe you're molding on.

[@DavidParker]

Thanks! That was it in the mid stage of building, while it was still upside down on the forms. I have another video about building that one.

[@Mysucculentchinesemeal]

I am definitely impressed!

[@markfryer9880]

Clever build. Hello from Melbourne, Australia.

[@colstace2560]

👍🇦🇺🦘

[@edilbertosantana8307]

Fascinating.good job.

[@jeanmartox3570]

Félicitations !! Magnifique ! C'est magique la fibre de verre avec la résine !! Encore bravo!!

[@ilforever22]

Master piece by a professional artist 👌👌👌

[@vickijacobson1199]

You're my hero dude. Love it👍👍👍

[@seekingtruth1856]

Quite creative!!! Bravo 👏🏾

[@andersonisabella2837]

That was brilliant !!!

[@GerardPeter]

Great flow to your videos David. Only problem is that we need more of them!

[@agnostic47]

He needs to work faster! LOL. Ten months for the cedar strip canoe? Fascinating to watch but he can't keep up with those people that "react" to music tracks who can do 20 a day.

[@jeremyogrizovich3247]

You guys are the coolest!

[@truckertom3323]

Brilliant, well done that Man.

[@gbossaboy]

An enjoyable video - thanks for sharing.

[@beckag7983]

I loved this! Genius....and I miss my Canoe....

[@BomaniChisulo]

Well now I want to try to make one someday, also you can float around while reading your own boat!

[@mikealman9259]

Loved it, It's been difficult for most BUT the lockdowns around the world have provided some great moments and ingenious ideas, so congrats to u and all the other contributors ;@)

[@ericinoregon5726]

Very cool! Thx for posting.

[@BrianOrangehouse]

Great woodworking skills!

[@joewoodchuck3824]

That's a wonderful project.

[@peterjohnson6273]

Nice work on the wood boat. Fun work on the paper one. When laying glass fiber cloth out, always stretch it! Use batons at the end of the cloth, and sky hooks and bungees, and lots of the latter, and 'walk' the cloth out. Laid loose, and wetted from one end, you were probably pushing a foot of cloth ahead of you by the other end.

[@draven3838]

That's pretty cool ,great job, thanks for sharing

[@ianwhitehead3086]

Super! Really enjoyed it.

[@yveso7474]

Good job! Bravo!

[@georgewilliamssr5230]

When your kids have a papermache art project at school. Just send your canoe to school with them. Guaranteed an A for sure. 🤯

[@Jcurtisjr1506]

Awesome job! 🤘👍

[@jimwortham8634]

It may be made out of paper this man is a Craftsman you did fantastic

[@thebobloblawshow8832]

Really nice work. 👍👍🇨🇦

[@cherylchicoine6799]

David, incredible work. I am going to get my 2 teenage sons to watch this video. The next time they say "Mom, I'm bored"...I am going to reference your video. In other words...look what you could be doing. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@rerawho]

I have the 1992 printing of that book which I bought during that year. I had it in view for many years and studied it until I practically memorized every word printed in it. I dreamed and dreamed but never built the canoe I chose. I just saw this video and cringed when I saw it cut up to become part of your paper canoe. I calmed down and understood the the twist. I immediately got off the couch and poured through boxes and found my copy. I’m retired now, I have a fully tooled wood/blacksmith shop, I’ve developed all the skills I need, so it’s time to build my canoe. Thank you for posting this video. It inspired me to get started.

[@DavidParker]

Haha I do have a video of me building the cedar strip canoe too if you’re interested in that process! Good luck! I loved building my canoes and I love getting to paddle them too!

[@rerawho]

@@DavidParker I will watch it. Thank you.

[@garykennedy]

This is soooo awesome! I'm seriously considering trying this but with comic books.

[@peety6333]

That is awesome!👍👍👍