Building a Cedar Strip Canoe over 10 months!

I built a Freedom 15' cedar strip canoe with plans from Bear Mountain Boats. It took me 10 months to build (although I built a few other things including a paper canoe using this canoe as the mold in that time) and I'm very happy with it.
This is my second build, my first was a Prospector 16' which I built in 2017. The first canoe I ordered strips from Bear Mountain Boats, this time however I milled the strips from scratch and opted for a staple-less build, which was hard in some ways, easier in others.
The hull of the canoe is made from cedar strips and then walnut and maple for the pattern strips. It is then covered in a single layer of 6oz fibreglass cloth inside and out. The decks, gunwales, seats and thwart are all made from American black walnut.
The reason I decided to build a second canoe, and the reasons I chose the freedom 15' design is that my prospector is more suited to longer trips in current and with more weight in the canoe. The freedom is more suited to the sort of day trip paddles I tend to do on flat or tidal creeks, with barely any gear. I've only had a brief time in the canoe from launching it with a group of friends and them taking turns in the bow but I'm really happy with it. I haven't weight it but it certainly is a lot lighter to portage than the prospector which I am very happy about.
Can't wait to take it out for some more serious paddles this summer.
If you're interested in plans or kits they're available from Bear Mountain Boats here www.bearmountainboats.com/col...
For more canoeing photos and updates on what I'm working on check out my instagram / davidbrynparker

[@charlesoleson6616]

WOW ! What a beautiful canoe . My father and I built cedar strip canoes and kayak and watching you brought back some memories that I cherish thank you very much

[@DavidParker]

Thank you! What a lovely memory to have!

[@jacquestubeetvous4981]

Amazing work! True craftsmanship.

[@donmiles9083]

This was an excellent video! Thanks for letting us watch. Beautiful canoe.

[@anglobricks9086]

Wow! This is a masterpiece! Great job! 👏🏻 👍🏻

[@zivabrogan5807]

Amazing artistry in working with machines!!!

[@nickbild3538]

Stunning. Building one of these is on my bucket list. Someday!

[@dumluk1984]

Really beautifully crafted. Well done.

[@gholmes182]

Phenomenally inspiring. What a breathtakingly beautiful piece of woodwork. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@FujioParis]

Wonderful! I watched every step and still cannot conceive of how you achieved this. Beautiful work as always :)

[@brambo5181]

Super tolle Arbeit und ein wunderschönes Boot, gratuliere. Sehr gut dokumentiert.

[@rayunseitig6367]

nice shop, room to work, and great tools and machines.

[@douglasfrank9323]

She's beautiful, they both are. Very nicely done.

[@bryanholst8503]

So Much fun to watch. Great job on the build AND the video!

[@DavidParker]

Haha thank you!!

[@FranksDIY]

I enjoyed watching this build. Awesome job

[@dennishartford2077]

Wow nicest I've seen to date and in old you are true master at your craft thank you!!

[@waynemiller1418]

Amazing craftsmanship! Very well done, David.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@enjoythejourneyleedonfaith6098]

Fantastic beautiful build, great job 👍🏻

[@markroth9827]

Your boats are great. Thank you for your videos.

[@kevinemery1177]

Beautiful work I like the way you go at the different jobs especially the c clamp plywood jig

[@jeffjenkins8303]

What a beautiful canoe. Congratulations on a wonderful build.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!!

[@rubmello]

Congratulations!! I also spent 10 months building my canoe and it's an incredible feeling to finish. Regards from Brazil

[@sumtertisdale]

I just started building this particular design from Canoecraft; mold stations are al lined up now. Looks fantastic and your video provides more inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

[@potufus]

Incredible amount of workmanship. A wonderful piece

[@DavidParker]

Thanks!

[@ivanpereira9657]

Wow... amazing craft! Congrats!!

[@user-ws9dd9si6l]

You are an artist, you are wonderful

[@raybabinraybabin7777]

Wow. How nice talk about a piece of Art.

[@whiskeytangofoxtrot2324]

Meticulously crafted, loved the attention to details, simply awesome ...

[@DavidParker]

Thanks!!

[@JeremyRyanMusic1]

Fantastic job! Way to see it through

[@usmustdie4peace405]

That waterheater Trick is awesome!!!

[@sebastiancolson2199]

beautifully done, congratulations! I build the prospector ranger 15' last year and also really enjoyed the journey.

[@TommyMakesWood-zo3bz]

Your video production quality is top-notch

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!!

[@georgiaschofield9596]

So beautiful! ❤️

[@user-um1fb5yg7l]

Just gave my Osprey to my grandson. It is still in great condition. Got it in Tennessee about ten years ago. Glads to see you guys continue making quality canoes.

[@kuri369kuri]

My man! That is a damn fine canoe! Wow! Loved it.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!!

[@craigchisholm2643]

Beautiful work!

[@julanesutton9626]

I was hooked on seeing your projects when I viewed your jaw-dropping wooden bicycle. You're truly a master craftsman. Thanks for sharing David. 🌟

[@randylanglois]

That is an astronomical amount of work and tedious planning. Excellent job.

[@DavidParker]

Haha I actually enjoy the planning, I’m often planning and researching future projects while I’m in the middle of the one I’m on!

[@sandeepkapare]

Just amazing. This is art piece creation rather than boat build.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

20:15 So glad to see your seat was only bolted and not glued, with a touch of play. Different materials have different expansion and contraction rates.

[@z47c530wh]

Patience and fine tooles beautiful

[@HeathenRides]

I never seen such a beautiful canoe before

[@user-hq5yy1ob3l]

The most exquisite handicraft👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@mike93lx]

Beautiful canoe and great job with the video too

[@joer5627]

Now Son, that is some fine work you did there! Well done.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@tonyromano6220]

Fantastic video and build!

[@leksey7870]

Great job! Good luck to the master!

[@barrettjoan5835]

Hi David - thanks for sharing this with us. Ted likes the way you made the accent planks in bulk. And he likes your workshop too! Our little business would not be half as much fun if we did not have builders like you who inspire us to keep going! Making things is a good way to endure this pandemic and we hope you and your family are safely home as it seems you are. Joan and Ted

[@DavidParker]

Thanks Joan! I would never have built a canoe and found a love or canoeing had it not been for you and Ted! We have been staying home but thankfully in New Zealand there is no current community transmission so I could have a little gathering to celebrate the launch!

[@draven3838]

Beautiful work

[@huto9606]

great work, great design

[@guyvangenechten6484]

Very very nice work!!!👌💯👍

[@victoriaaugustino1064]

Brilliant and so Beautiful! ♥️

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@zoltanczika9399]

Nagyon jol néz ki , szuper meló!

[@Johnh1953]

just wonderful! I bet it lasts a lifetime!

[@mikef.1000]

There's definitely something a little unnerving about watching all that razor-sharp machinery being used at such high speed!! Seriously, great work... definitely given me some ideas.

[@dougwitherby3291]

Awesome job for sure!!

[@45631063]

Excellent vidéo You are like Even a Professional of the part of the construction of boat. Congratulations Great job! fantastic: really Professional.

[@jackbristow2015]

absolutely beautiful.

[@peterhamilton8430]

couldn't help but clap when the Champagne came out ... thanks for sharing the build, Im across the ditch in QLD and just finishing off a space (carport/shed) to attempt building something similar. I am certainly inspired, but also a tad in awe of your skills mate....very nice work indeed.

[@DavidParker]

Cool! Good luck! It’s such a fun project! I had a friend who built a big tent in his garden to build a boat in!

[@bang282]

What a masterpiece!

[@ediii89]

Respect my friend great build, regards from germany 👌👍👍👍🔥

[@SlayerDarkRaver]

Beautiful work ❤

[@terrenceorff2695]

Museum piece. You are an artist. Thank you.

[@DavidParker]

Thanks!!

[@nelsonandrade2980]

Brillante!!!, La exelencia Verdadera!!!, gracias por compartirnoslo,te voy a copiar las tecnicas, saludos de argentina!!

[@paulp1a]

really gorgeous work

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@richparker7778]

beautiful build

[@Wahatoyas]

I can't wait to build one, no one thinks I can, if there's a will there's a way and I definitely have the will

[@user-jz3fd8qv9c]

Благодарен мастеру и помощнице вашей за возможность видеть красоту создания крайне-великолепной модели каноэ - так элегантно - созданной от чистого сердца и доброй души человека - творческого ума и золотых рук от Бога. Храни Вас и всех Ваших родных и близких от лишнего.

[@darlenearmstrong316]

beautiful! Nice video.

[@toddheil42]

Great JOB! Thank you for sharing!!!!!

[@DavidParker]

Thanks!!

[@user-ik3qh4ve5b]

Очень красивая лодка получилась. Мастеру браво. Обьём работы огромный.

[@eduardoachigar]

excelent!!! congratulations!!!

[@stupitchannel]

Love you guys.

[@markharris3785]

Great build

[@Skinz1972]

That's not just a beautiful canoe mate, that's a work of art with heart and soul within... Well done

[@user-ud2ze9is5h]

its name aired love.

[@sampsy2896]

Nicely done

[@TravelTourTaste]

Hello my friend great to see you again. Hope you had a great Christmas and just wanted to wish you a very Happy New year and may 2021 bring you much success, joy and happiness. Stay safe and catch up again real soon.

[@jeanlamarc8563]

Beautiful looking

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@rickstein6091]

Beautiful boat and well done video.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@mattdjmorris]

Amazing boat and amazing video work!

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@timbenham516]

Beautiful!

[@scottthomas5999]

Too beautiful to scratch. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@rayunseitig6367]

It makes sense, to get started one step at a time. I think I'll get all my stuff from bearmountain place, then once the mold is done, the second one wont sink. I used cast iron strips. -- this is getting to be fun, I don't know If I'll ever get it in the water, but it will look cool in the yard. Thanks much.

[@massimozughetti3782]

Complimenti bravissimo sei proprio un appassionato

[@realdeusex]

well done!

[@dheadhan4401]

wow, an excellent video

[@ernstdh]

Beautiful Canoe.

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@abduldost1998]

Wanderful job lovely.

[@fiochi5628]

👏👏👏standing ovation for you

[@darrellhoekstra8514]

I really like your clamping technique that is super slick. I also went staple-less construction but my clamping method looked a little clumsy compared to that simple wedge method you used. Great build!

[@DavidParker]

Thanks!

[@Tiagosilva-kj7qn]

Canoa mais linda q já vi Parabéns

[@dancer8874]

Maravilloso trabajo!!!!!

[@darrengriffiths2372]

Wow wow what a stuning pice of work u have made there i lv the wood bro wow now words u are gifted my friend u should be so proud of the gift u have woundful work not enof words for u bro keep them videos comeing our way sorry for the spelling i get by dino from england masive👍👍👍up for you stunning work

[@je-fq7ve]

nice work

[@Jechidat_Oketz]

Wonderfull Work.

[@user-wn8vb1dp3n]

I live in Ukraine. Doing a canoe for the first time. Learning from your videos. Thank you!

[@mariushegli]

Wow. Just wow.

[@user-tv9lr5dg5h]

Super canoe!!!👍👍👍

[@DavidParker]

Thank you!

[@user-zd1qr2uu4f]

Its awesome!

[@caetanogcsearamiug8024]

Isso não é um barco e sim uma obra de arte!

[@kukuzzo]

Bravissimo!!!!