Is mortising the canoe to install the step a necessary step, or just a stronger way of installing it? Out of the several different videos I've watched on building these canoes, this is the first video that mentioned a mortise to install the stem.
Depends on the shape of the bottom of the canoe near the ends of the stem. The stems on Bear Mountain canoes (which this design comes from) are usually only 7/8 inch wide. But if you were to shave down to the inside stem totally flat across the planking, the resulting surface would be well over 1.5 inches wide on the bottom and the outside stems are only 7/8 as well. When you mortise in, if gives the appearance of the strips being butted up to the outside stem. Might be a bit stronger as well as more surface area for epoxy, but I don't think this is the purpose. Now on kayaks which have a much sharper "vee" shape on the bottom you can shave right down flat to the inside stem and not go beyond the 1 inch wide outside stems. Hope that makes sense.
Sorry, but I dont unsderstand if the stem are prepared before laminating process. I mean: the inside stem are in position (attached to the first form) when you begin to laminating? One more thing: the inside stem are prevented to glue onto form with tape? Thanks a lot!
Inside stems are in place before planking the canoe with strips. After planking is complete, then the outside stems are added. Take a look at other videos on making canoe stems and planking the canoe.
Most informative video I've found for installing the outside stems. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment.
Your welcome.
You sir, are a true helper...
Is mortising the canoe to install the step a necessary step, or just a stronger way of installing it? Out of the several different videos I've watched on building these canoes, this is the first video that mentioned a mortise to install the stem.
Depends on the shape of the bottom of the canoe near the ends of the stem. The stems on Bear Mountain canoes (which this design comes from) are usually only 7/8 inch wide. But if you were to shave down to the inside stem totally flat across the planking, the resulting surface would be well over 1.5 inches wide on the bottom and the outside stems are only 7/8 as well. When you mortise in, if gives the appearance of the strips being butted up to the outside stem. Might be a bit stronger as well as more surface area for epoxy, but I don't think this is the purpose. Now on kayaks which have a much sharper "vee" shape on the bottom you can shave right down flat to the inside stem and not go beyond the 1 inch wide outside stems. Hope that makes sense.
Sorry, but I dont unsderstand if the stem are prepared before laminating process. I mean: the inside stem are in position (attached to the first form) when you begin to laminating? One more thing: the inside stem are prevented to glue onto form with tape? Thanks a lot!
Inside stems are in place before planking the canoe with strips. After planking is complete, then the outside stems are added. Take a look at other videos on making canoe stems and planking the canoe.
Hi, Do you live in the middle of a freeway with amount of heavy vehicles going past ?
Not exactly. But up the road is a gravel pit so on nice days when shop door is open I forget how much the camera picks up that background noise.
What epoxy are you using? Thanks
I generally use West System resins with 207 hardener for clear coating and sometimes 205 fast hardener for gluing things together such as the stems.
Thank you