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 46 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 original base models.

Our Goal
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 - "Infusion Bagging" and the "Hybrid"

(Click on the photo for more pictures)
On the left is an infusion method canoe with core material ribs. On the right is a custom made to order hybrid with wooden ribs and sheathing.


INFUSION BAGGING

This is the latest technique in fiberglass/composite construction. Simply put, it is the process of placing into the mold all of your cloth dry, placing a vacuum bag over it, sucking out all of the air and then drawing the resin through the vacuum. This results in a minimum of resin - enough to "wet-out" the fabric - and a minimum of air bubbles. Excess resin does not increase strength but does increase weight and air bubbles create weak spots. We use a special kind of fiberglass that has virtually no air spaces between the fibers. These type of spaces cause weakness. We use a type of resin that is more flexible and less brittle. Stiffness is created with a special "core material" that we lay in as ribs. The result is a stiff, impact resistant, light and authentic looking craft. The process is more expensive to perform but this is a case of getting what you pay for.

Our 16ft model all decked out comes in at 46 lbs. Our 18ft model is 56 lbs. The hull shape is fast and stable in all types of water conditions. Therefore if you do long treks that require portaging this is the canoe I would recommend.

Standard features of the Infusion Bagged Models:
     - Designed by master birchbark canoe builder John Lindman so all lines and measurements conform to traditional designs.
     - Computer matched gel coat to real birch bark
     - 32 oz of hi-tech stitched fiberglass cloth
     - 2 inch core material ribs every 2 inches just like in a birchbark canoe
     - The pitch lines, a polyuerthane construction sealant which looks very much like real pitch with charcoal added,
          that conform to the actual process of making birchbark canoes.
     - Plastic root with a similar color, shape and size of real root.
     - Sitka Spruce or white ash gunwales
     - White ash thwarts


DIFFERENT DESIGNS



Click on any image to view more photos.
These are the infusion models. From left to right: Ottawa; Ojibwe; Abenaki

Model Length Width Depth Weight Base Price
Ottawa 18' 35" 13" 56 lbs $2250
Abenaki 18' 35" 13" 56 lbs $2250
Ojibwe Longnose 18' 35" 13" 56 lbs $2250
Ottawa 16' 33" 13" 46 lbs $2150
Abenaki 16' 33" 13" 46 lbs $2150
Ojibwe Longnose 16' 33" 13" 46 lbs $2150


BASIC FEATURES AND PRICE

The Base Price is $2150 for the 16', $2250 for the 18'

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.

EXTRA FEATURES

Hand Painted Birch Bark Effect
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 Caps
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.)

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 $35 - instructions and 300 feet of plastic root included - enough for repairs as well.


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.

THE HYBRID

This is essentially a birchbark canoe with a fiberglass skin. We have 3 canoes - 14, 16 and 18ft long - that we use as "male molds" (we lay the glass over the canoe instead of inside of it) and using a special technique, we can custom shape these to your specifications and then create a "one-up" canoe from it. We use one layer of the 17 oz stitched fabric (very strong) and the flexible vinyl ester resin. The skin holds its shape but is very flexible. Once we put on the gunwales, thwarts and insert the ribs and sheathing the shape changes the same way a birchbark canoe comes to life when the ribs are inserted with pressure. The hull becomes a bit rockered at the ends like a birchbark canoe, everything is tight like a drum - just like a birchbark canoe - and the look is authentic inside and out. The weight of the ribs and sheathing adds about 20 lbs so you are looking at about 76 lbs on an 18' to 19' model and about 66 lbs and 56 lbs on the 16' and 14' models respectively. This is very similar in weight to a real birchbark canoe with the difference that the portage weight stays the same whereas birch bark absorbs water and thus increases in weight by about 10 lbs at the portage.

If you want a birchbark canoe but live in an area that is too dry for the bark this is strong option. If you do living history and want something durable and realistic both inside and out again this is a good way to go.

HYBRID DESIGNS



Click on any image to view more photos.
These are just a couple of samples. We can modify to your specifications. On the left is a 16' Ojibwe Longnose that has the same hull shape as a 1947 Old Town Yankee. On the right is a Great Lakes style war canoe with 30" prows and 15" depth at the center. It was designed by the customer.

FEATURES AND PRICE

The Base Price is $2950 for the 14' and 16' models. $3150 for the 18'

The hybrid canoes come with cedar ribs and sheathing, with cedar head boards and gunwale caps. They are painted with the linticels and pitched. They are just like a birchbark canoe with the exception of the skin being of fiberglass instead of bark.

The base canoe includes lashing from the end thwarts to the tip of the prows and at each of the thwarts. You can have us lash the remainder of the canoe or get the materials and instructions and lash it yourself. The lashing kit is $50 and for us to lash it is $325 for the 14' canoe, $345 for the 16' and $395 for the 18' models.

Any major modifications from our basic designs will incur additional costs on a case by case basis. This would include such things as increased depth or major prow height and design changes. Talk to us and tell us what you want and we will let you know the cost.

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.

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 agreement 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.

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 is subject to change due to the ups and downs of fuel costs.

Contact us at 509-327-7902 voice or email at barkcanoe@earthlink.net for more information.

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

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