Skin-on-frame canoe plans and instructional video course

Skin-on-Frame Canoe Building Course

Custom skin-on-frame canoe building system

Course description

The "66 canoe" is a comprehensive skin-on-frame canoe building system that lets you control all of the shaping variables to build a canoe that is customized to your paddling lifestyle. This 12 hour video course and downloadable 30-page PDF plan set puts you in the classroom with me, ensuring that your first skin-on-frame build is easy, fun, and successful.

Watch the evolution of this design from concept to release on our YouTube Channel.

FIND MORE INFO ON OUR WEBSITE // CHECK OUT SOME STUDENT-BUILT CANOES

Generally, we refine designs for years before releasing them as student builds. This early release "beta version" was designed to offer the building system early at a lower cost to those who want to start building now.

LICENSING AGREEMENT:

See video for additional details. This online video course is intended for use by one builder only. Multiple persons may not work from a single course, with the exception of children under 18 working with an adult. Purchase allows you to build unlimited canoes for personal use or as gifts for others who ARE NOT BUILDING. Commercial use is allowed with written permission and a fee per boat, contact for details. Violating the licensing agreement is bad karma!

Course curriculum

1. Course Introduction
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Tips for a successful Canoe build, READ THIS FIRST
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Licensing Agreement
  FREE PREVIEW
4. How the Course is Organized
  FREE PREVIEW
5. Safety Disclaimer
  FREE PREVIEW
6. Tips for Avoiding a Tippy Canoe (PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO)
  FREE PREVIEW
7. CANOE COURSE UPDATES AND CHANGES, READ THESE BEFORE BUILDING!
1. Visual Overview of the Pack Canoe Building Process
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Visual Overview of Building a Solo Single Blade Canoe
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Time Lapse of the Entire Canoe Building Process
  FREE PREVIEW
4. The Same Time Lapse Slowed Down 50% Gives clearer views of each step, 23 min long
1. Color Options for Skin on Frame Boats, Acid Dye vs. Earth Pigments
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Workspace Setup and Tips for an Efficient Build
  FREE PREVIEW
3. Canoe Seating Overview. (full size canoes only)
4. Planning for Keel Strips and Stem Bands
5. Canoe Sail
  FREE PREVIEW
6. Canoe Rudder Overview
  FREE PREVIEW
7. Overview of Polyurethanes, Oils, Glues, and Varnishes
1. SAMPLE Plan Set
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Downloadable Plan Set: VERSION 2.2
1. My Latest Thoughts on Canoe Design
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Solo Canoe with Tumblehome 15'1" x 30" 4/29/2021
3. Solo Canoe with Tumblehome 14' x 30" 6/1/2021
4. Solo Canoe 14' x 30" built by Gabe Batson (student) 2021
5. Solo canoe 14'8" x 31 1/2" built by Gabe Batson (student)
6. Student Built Tandem Canoe 16'3" x 36" 6/20/2021 (built with Yellow Cedar Ribs!)
7. Student Built Tandem 17' x 36" 2/1/2021
1. Layout Process Overview
2. Cutting the Gunwales, Stringers, and Keel
3. Rounding the Stringers
4. Laying Out the Gunwales
5. Measuring the Rocker Heights
6. Setting Up For Laminating the Gunwales
7. Laminating the Gunwale Curve
8. Cleaning up the Lamination and Cutting the Gunwales
9. Fastening the Gunwales Together and Cutting to Length
10. Setting up the Plunge Router
11. Cutting the Mortises
12. Measuring Sheer Heights
13. Calculating Center Depth
14. Cutting Stem Lengths and Angles
15. Angled Stem Layout
16. Alternate Curved Stem Layout
17. Making the Spreader Forms and Final Gunwale Prep
1. Installing Spreader and Capture Forms
2. Kerfing the Gunwale Ends
3. Tying the Gunwale Tips Together
4. Checking for Symmetry
5. Doweling the Gunwale Tips and Trimming the Ends
6. Making the Rub Rails
7. Varnishing the Rub Rails
8. Attaching Stems and Center Block
9. Checking the Stem Angles and Setting the Rocker
10. Temporarily Attaching the Stems to the Keel
1. Making the Rib Length Measuring Stick
2. Prepping the Rib Stock and Cutting Ribs
3. Sorting and Bending in Test Ribs
4. Measuring, Cutting, and Rounding the Ribs
5. Thinning the Ends of the Ribs
6. Setting up for Steam Bending
7. Some Tips for Steam Bending the Ribs (text only)
8. Leveling the Canoe, Workspace Review, and Steaming Times
9. Steam Bending the Ribs
10. Re-Steaming, Replacing, and Fixing Cracked Ribs
11. Pegging the Ribs
1. Setting the Stringers
2. Winding Lashing Spools and Setting up for Lashing
3. Lashing on the Stringers
4. Re-Checking the Rocker
5. Fixing Shaping Issues
6. Modifying or Replacing Ribs (if needed)
7. Adding Progressive End Rocker
8. Shaping the Stems
9. Tapering the Keel (if needed) and Permanently Attaching the Stems
10. Trimming and Fairing in the Stringers
11. Planning for the Mast Step Location
12. Tying the Stringers to the Stems
13. Fixing Wobbly Stringers
1. Pegging the Keel to the Stem
2. Reinforcing the Keel
3. Final Keel Symmetry Check
4. Shimming and Lashing the Keel to the Ribs
5. Adding Sheer Blocks
6. Cleaning up the Frame
7. Choosing and Marking the Canoe Seat Locations (single blade canoes only)
8. Canoe Seat Location Recommendations (text only)
9. Installing Seat Blocking (single blade canoes only)
10. Alternate Seat Blocking Method (single blade canoes only)
11. Special Instructions for attaching Extra Long Seat Blocking (use for blocking longer than 15 inches)
12. Oiling the Frame
13. Adding Tumblehome (optional)
14. Attaching the Mast Step
1. Skinning Supplies
2. Skinning Process Overview / Draping the Fabric
3. Pinning the Stem
4. Cutting and Sewing the Stem for a CENTER STITCH
5. Cutting and Sewing the Stem for a SIDE STITCH (use for Stem Bands)
6. Shortening the Fabric
7. Stretching the Fabric and Pinning the Keel
8. Wetting and Stapling the Fabric
9. Clamping and Fastening the Rub Rails
10. Cutting and Sewing the Tops of the Stems
11. Final Rocker Check / Tuning
12. Trimming the Excess Fabric
13. Shrinking out Wrinkles (usually not neccesary)
14. Setting Up for Dyeing the Canoe (skip this video if using Earth Pigment)
15. Coloring the Fabric with Acid Dye (skip this video if using Earth Pigment)
16. Coloring the Fabric with Earth Pigment
1. 13 Common Coating Mistakes READ THIS FIRST!
2. Coating Supplies
3. Two cup 2 part polyurethane mixing method (watch both mixing videos)
4. Single cup 2 part polyurethane mixing method (seriously, watch both videos, they both have important details)
5. Batch Size and Working Time
6. Coating Process Overview and Workspace Setup
7. Initial Saturation Coat
8. Second Coat
9. Smoothing Imperfections
10. Final Coat and Finishing Touches
11. Additional Coats (must be done within 24 hrs)
1. Full Size Canoe Seating Overview
2. Choosing Wood and Mortising the Seat Rails
3. Cutting the Tenons and Gluing the Seat Together
4. Sanding and Finishing Canoe Seats
5. Making a Laminating Jig for Curved Canoe Seats
6. Laminating the Seat Rails
7. Modifying Curved Seats for Tall Backrests
8. Building a Tall Backrest
9. Stapling on the Seat Webbing
1. Canoe Seating Overview
2. Setting up for Installing Canoe Seats Using a Drilling Jig (more precise)
3. Installing Canoe Seats Using a Jig (more precise)
  FREE PREVIEW
4. Setting up for Installing Canoe Seats, Drilling Freehand (easier and faster)
5. Installing Canoe Seats, Drilling Freehand (easier and faster, disregard Hex Head bolts, we use truss head now)
6. Adding Spacer Blocks
1. Alternate Catamaran Method
2. Making Stem Bands and Rub Strips
3. Installing Stem Bands and Rub Strips
1. Removable Backrest Attachment Loop Introduction
2. Making the Attachment Point (you can omit the plastic plate shown here if not planning to catamaran)
3. Tying the Shock Cord
4. Combination Portage Yoke / Backrest
5. Pack Canoe Seating Options
6. Flotation Strategies
1. Sail Introduction
  FREE PREVIEW
2. Sail Supplies
3. Sail Tools
4. Determining Mast Length
5. Cutting the Mast and Inserting the Tiller Extension
6. Attaching the Canoe Mast Step
7. Marking and Riveting the Mast Attachment
8. Sail Size and Shape Discussion
9. Planning the Sail
10. Planning the Sail UPDATE
11. Cutting and Marking the Sail
12. Setting up the Sewing Machine and Taping the Sail
13. Sewing the Sail
14. Making the Battens
15. Drilling the Battens and Tying on Control Lines
16. Modifying the Clam Cleats
17. Attaching the Clam Cleats to the Canoe
18. Rigging the Canoe
19. Sailing Your Canoe
20. Canoe and Kayak Sailing Safety
1. Kayak/Canoe Catamaran Introduction
2. Comparing Canoe Catamaran Styles (See last video in this chapter for instructions to build the simple catamaran system)
3. Bungee Loop Style Catamaran Overview
4. Making the Attachment
5. Rigging the Bungee
6. Selecting Lumber for the Catamaran Boards
7. Making the Catamaran Boards
8. Finishing the Catamaran Boards
9. Alternate Canoe Catamaran System (usually used on full size canoes)
1. Care and Feeding of Your Skin on Frame Boat (universal document for kayaks and canoes)
  FREE PREVIEW

About this course

$199.00

This Rocks!

John Passacantando

So far, it's brilliant. This isn't just a step by step guide, follow the bouncing ball and boat comes out at the end. These plans are taking me through an ...

So far, it's brilliant. This isn't just a step by step guide, follow the bouncing ball and boat comes out at the end. These plans are taking me through an educational journey and the end product will simply reflect what I've learned along the way. This is a wonderful approach to teaching, I'm loving this.

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Skin-on-Frame Canoe Building Course

Jeff Dahlquist

This is an excellent course that Brian has created. He explains step by step with both text and videos how to build a canoe. You can work at your own pace go...

This is an excellent course that Brian has created. He explains step by step with both text and videos how to build a canoe. You can work at your own pace go back and view the videos as many time as you want. His system and techniques to build a canoe are well thought out and work. The canoe I built is a lot of fun to paddle. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to build their own canoe.

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It doesn't get any better than this

Matthew Harding

I've spent a good deal of time and research preparing for a skin-on-frame canoe build. I've thoroughly looked at every site I could find, examined the build...

I've spent a good deal of time and research preparing for a skin-on-frame canoe build. I've thoroughly looked at every site I could find, examined the building methods, construction approach, and watched countless youtube videos on the subject (much to my wife's chagrin). Being an engineer for an aerospace engineering company, my expectations for attention to detail are quite high. Brian's content is far and away superior to anything on the market. His building methods are proven and sound, adaptable to many canoe sizes and shapes, the videos are outstanding and very professional, and his license agreement is as fair as they come. I purchased his course and am partway through the build and I can say he has easily surpassed my expectations and the build so far has been a pleasure because I know exactly what to do, what to expect, and what mistakes to avoid. If you are considering building a skin-on-frame canoe, you've come to the right place, for this price you are getting an amazing deal and an excellent product.

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Great course!

Kevin Pauba

Although I don't plan on building a SOF canoe for another few years, this was too good of a deal to pass up. I don't think this construction method will bec...

Although I don't plan on building a SOF canoe for another few years, this was too good of a deal to pass up. I don't think this construction method will become obsolete anytime soon either. A very professional how-to course. Brian is an excellent presenter with the know-how to make the subject matter understandable and doable by anyone. I wished I had discovered this when my kids were younger as building a set of canoes together would have been a great shared experience.

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Great nesting canoes

Ryan Seapy

I built a pair of nesting canoes. The course provided all the info needed for someone who hasn't ever done woodworking. The canoes are well balanced and work...

I built a pair of nesting canoes. The course provided all the info needed for someone who hasn't ever done woodworking. The canoes are well balanced and worked great on a 15 mile river trip. I'm looking forward to taking it back out now that I have a greenland paddle.

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amazing

Jane Stoykov

every single step was an adventure. Every single thing was new to me but I've done all the steps instructed and safe. A safe way to to get from nothing to fu...

every single step was an adventure. Every single thing was new to me but I've done all the steps instructed and safe. A safe way to to get from nothing to full satisfaction.

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Excellent Course

Shawn Calhoun

I definitely feel much more confident after watching this course, a lot of great material and little bits of critical information. Will definitely be referri...

I definitely feel much more confident after watching this course, a lot of great material and little bits of critical information. Will definitely be referring back to it as the build progresses!

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Excellent instruction.

Royce Kessler

Good pace, with sufficient information to learn the process without being too detailed.

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Canoe 66

William Glendinning

Good overview and sequence of steps to take to due build. Enjoy ablitity to review certain sections repeatable times to understand key points and values....

Good overview and sequence of steps to take to due build. Enjoy ablitity to review certain sections repeatable times to understand key points and values. Worth the $$$ spent to insure one's ablitity to build said canoe.

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Building two pack canoes

Martin Hill

This has been a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing project to do. The plans and videos are really detailed and well produced.. At every stage Brian shares hi...

This has been a thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing project to do. The plans and videos are really detailed and well produced.. At every stage Brian shares his wealth of experience, always clear, always helpful. On a couple of occasions I checked things out with Brian and he was very quick to email a response. I made two pack canoes and because of the pandemic restrictions in the UK have only given them a brief outing but they feel great. The course is excellent, the canoes look and feel great.

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FAQ

Are plans available in metric measurements?

Because the accompanying video courses call out imperial measurements, and we are constantly making updates to both the plans and videos, we’ve found that metric plans leave a lot of room for potential confusion or error. For builders outside the US, we recommend purchasing a metric to imperial tape measure to make your build easier.
Why can’t I buy the plans without the video course?

Because this is a building system not a plan for a specific boat, there are no standalone plans.
How much should I budget for the build?

In addition to the cost of the course and plans, average materials cost for a canoe runs around $450. Materials costs vary based on the size boat you are building, local availability and shipping costs, so that could be as low as $300 for a small pack canoe or $700 for a tandem canoe.
Do the videos expire? Can I watch on multiple devices?

You can login and view the course on any device. Enrolling in a course gives you lifetime access to the course material, including any updates or additions we make to the material in the future. In fact, that’s one of the main reasons we created these video courses instead of writing a book, because our designs and techniques are constantly evolving and we want you to always have access to the best and most up-to-date information.
I don’t have internet in my shop, can I download the videos to watch later?

You can download individual videos to your device, but be aware that file sizes can be quite large.

Enroll Now

Buy $199.00

Introduction

Process Overview Videos

Odds and Ends

Canoe Plan Set

Various Canoe Examples

Tools, wood, and other materials

Prepping for the build

Building the deck

Bending in the ribs

Attaching stems and stringers

Finishing and oiling the frame

Skinning the canoe

Coating the Canoe with 2 Part Polyurethane

Building Full Size Canoe Seats

Installing Full Size Canoe Seats

Finishing Full-Size Canoes

Pack Canoe Seating and Finishing Details

Sail building

Canoe Catamaran System

Using Your Canoe

About this course

Canoe Oars and Outrigger

Pedal Drive System for Skin on Frame Canoes