Genuine birchbark canoe on the left, fiberglass replica with wood ribs on the right
These canoes were designed for historical hunting, trekking and spirited paddling.
They require less maintenance than real birchbark canoes and are fast and easy to paddle. Depending on length
they weigh from 45 to 65 pounds. As a result they are easy to load on top of a vehicle and portage.
This 18' model can easily handle two large men with all of their gear - perhaps much more - and is easily
paddled by one person. As a hunting canoe there is plenty of room for game. The hull was designed for
stability in all water conditions.
ABOUT THE CANOES
(Click on the photo for more pictures)
Shown in the foreground is a genuine birchbark canoe. In the back is one of our base models.
Our Goal DIFFERENT DESIGNS
The 18ft and 16ft Ottawa, Abenaki and Ojibwe Longnose are available now. We hope to have 14ft models available
in late summer of 2007.
We wanted to create the most authentic, strongest, lightest and least expensive canoe possible
but found that some of those aspirations were mutually exclusive - can't have it all. The lightest and strongest
would require very expensive materials. The most authentic would require the most elaborate
processes thus requiring much time and therefore expense. And finally the strongest would also
drive up the weight. Therefore some choices needed to be made. We feel the new lay-up hits the sweet spot.
The Result
This canoe is like having a beautiful girl friend that is willing to spend time with you in a duck blind on a cold rainy day.
She'll go anywhere you want to go and turn heads while doing it. The only difference is that you can share her with your
friends and not have to worry. She can hold her own - even with muddy boots.
The canoe is not indestructible and does require care if you want it to last a long time but there is absolutely NO reason
to hesitate in taking her on any adventure. This baby wants to be used! And, if you do damage her, unlike the "so-called"
indestructible plastic canoes, she can be easily repaired and still look good. Our previous version was so time intensive
to build that the price tag was driven way too high. With our new version we were able to drop the price considerably!
Lay-fup features:
- Layer of 9oz glass
- Thin layer of matte
- 9oz glass
- 2 inch foam ribs every 2 inches
- Layer of matte
- Gel coat inside and out
- The pitch lines, a polyuerthane construction sealant which looks very much like real pitch with charcoal added,
conform to the actual process of making birchbark canoes.
- The foam ribs are placed the way actual ribs would have been placed - every 2 inches.
- Designed by master birchbark canoe builder John Lindman so all lines and measurements conform to traditional designs.
- Plastic root with a similar color shape and size of real root.
- Sitka Spruce or white ash gunwales
- White ash thwarts
Click on any image to view more photos.
From left to right: Ottawa; Abenaki; Ojibwe
The web site will be updated on a regular basis with photos of the new canoes.
Please feel free to write or call for more information.
| Model | Length | Width | Depth | Weight | Base Price |
| Ottawa | 18' | 35" | 13" | 65 lbs | $2050 |
| Abenaki | 18' | 35" | 13" | 65 lbs | $2050 |
| Ojibwe Longnose | 18' | 35" | 13" | 65 lbs | $2050 |
| Ottawa | 16' | 33" | 13" | 55 lbs | $1950 |
| Abenaki | 16' | 33" | 13" | 55 lbs | $1950 |
| Ojibwe Longnose | 16' | 33" | 13" | 55 lbs | $1950 |
PRICE
The Base Price is $1950 for the 16', $2050 for the 18'
EXTRA FEATURES
ORDERING YOUR CANOE
Unlike your standard conventional canoe these require much time to trim out. We may have your style and length
in stock or there may be a slight wait involved. Our policy is a deposit of 50% and a signed aggrement that protects
you as regards your deposit and tells us what you want in your canoe - it puts us on the same page.
The balance is due upon completion and prior to shipping or pick-up.
Contact us at 509-327-7902 voice or email at barkcanoe@earthlink.net for more
information.
Basic Features
You may wish to keep the cost of your canoe to a minumum and do some of the finish work yourself. This is the
reasoning behind offering a Base Canoe plus features. All the structural integrity is there and you can decide
what added features you would like and what you would like to do on your own.
Primarily due to the volatile nature of the oil industry the cost of materials and shipping can effect our
costs. Therefore prices are subject to change at any time. Once you have ordered and paid a deposit the
price is locked in.
The little brown lines (linticels) you see on the inner side of bark are hand painted in gel coat. First we
sand the hull to dull the finish, then paint the entire canoe line by line. $200.
Gunwale Cap
The basic canoe does not come with gunwale caps. They are not absolutely necessary unless you plan to
lash the entire canoe. Then it is highly recommended to protect the lashings. This is an additional $100
and will come attached to the canoe. You will only need to loosen a few screws in order to lash the canoe.
(This is not difficult at all and is explained in the owner's manual.)
Wood Ribs
The foam core ribs provide strength and stiffness as well as an authentic look, however, for those who want a truly
realistic look and feel on the inside we offer wooden ribs as an option. They are 1/4" thick x 2" wide. They
are beveled at the head (tops) so as to slide under the inside gunwale and into a corresponding bevel. Besides being
held in place with pressure they are attached with a building adhesive. This feature is an additional $500.
Wood Sheathing
Here the canoe would be fully lined with thin cedar sheathing just like in a birchbark canoe. Of course this
is in addition to the wood ribs. In this case the ribs would be fitted with pressure not glued into place.
This feature is an additional $350.
Seats
The voyaguers occasionally had seats in their canoes. These worked on the same principle as the old wooden swing
hanging from the tree branch - a board with two holes on each end. Heavy leather thongs or nylon cord
are run through the holes, up and over the gunwales into and through holes in the hull directly under the gunwales then through the board
and tied. They are made of 1x6" spruce and are stained (if desired) and oiled. Price is $75 for 2 and
come assembled. You can adjust the height.
Wooden Manboards
Manboards or also called headboards are the boards that are fitted just beyond the final end ribs. These are recommended
if you have opted for the wooden ribs and sheathing combination.
This feature is an additional $50.
Lashing Kit
All canoes are lashed at the ends and at the thwarts as shown in the photos.
However if you want the lashing kit to lash the remainder of the canoe it is an additional $50 - instructions and
300 feet of plastic root included - enough for repairs as well.
Click on any image to view enlarged photos.
These are shots of a customer's canoe that he lashed and decorated himself. Lashing comes in dark brown or
tan - your choice
Fully Lashed
We offer the service of fully lashing your canoe. This of course covers the cost of materials. Price is $345
for 16' and $395 for 18'.
Stencil Kit
The Indian builders often fashioned designs on the bark by scratching away the thin layer of inner bark (cambium) that
would stick to the bark when it was removed at colder times. This was called "winter bark". The dark brown designs
that were left could include various animal motifs, floral designs or geometric patterns. We also provide stencils
and gel coat so you can create the "etched winterbark" effect. Includes gel coat, hardener, stencil and instructions.
This is an additional $50.
Click on any image to view enlarged photos.
From left to right: moose head, beaver, moose print, turtle, clipped gunwale serrations
Stenciled Designs added
Perhaps you would prefer to have us do the design work in-house. Simply choose a motif and we will do the work.
Prow motifs $75 per print. Gunwale motifs $200.
We are currently in production on the 18' and 16' Ottawa, Abenaki and Ojibwe Longnose models. We hope to have the
14' models available sometime in the future.
If you are interested in one of the future designs we are accepting $100 deposits with agreements to place you
on the list. Included in the agreement is the time by which the new design will be completed. If not ready by that
time you have the option of having your deposit refunded.
Price does not include shipping. The cost of shipping varies with your location and the size of your canoe.
Typically you can expect $250 to $350. This includes the cost of packaging and insurance. This is subject to
change due to the ups and downs of fuel costs.
How To Order
Give us a call or send us an e-mail. We will be glad to answer questions, get you additional information and photos or take your order. Payment can be made via check, money order or credit card. For your protection we do credit card payments over the phone, not via e-mail.
509-327-7002 voice and facsimile barkcanoe@earthlink.net e-mail
Home Canoes Classes Materials Accessories Tips News and New Stuff Consignment Canoes