You're going to build a what?
In the summer of 2022, I had the bright (and slightly mad) idea of building a wooden Canadian canoe from a kit. By the end of September the garage had been cleared, the kit unpacked, and I was surrounded by planks of ash and paulownia, epoxy, and more clamps than I thought I’d ever need.
From that moment until November 2023, the project took over. Piece by piece, the canoe grew: planks bent and glued, hours of sanding, the sweet smell of paulownia and the occasional “oops” moment quickly hidden under another layer of epoxy. This section is the blow-by-blow diary of the build, full of photos, mishaps, little victories, and the slow transformation from a pile of timber into something that actually floats.
Grab a mug of tea (or a dust mask) and follow along as I unpack the kit, wrestle with planks, and slowly coax a canoe into existence. Ready to get started?
Did you know?
- Ash is a strong, resilient hardwood often used in oars and sports equipment thanks to its durability and shock resistance.
- Paulownia is one of the lightest timbers in the world, prized for being easy to work with yet surprisingly strong.
- Combined, they create a canoe that is both lightweight for carrying and sturdy for paddling — an ideal pairing for boatbuilding.