I saw your review on Amazon. Have you considered doing reviews of Nick Schade's and Chris Kulczyki's books too? I know you must have read Nick's book by now.

BTW, I just finished Chris's book. Combined with what I've learned here, I feel ready to start.

>

> Check out this book: Strippers Guide to Canoe Building by David
> Hazen It is an oldie but goodie, with (included at no extra charge)
> full size plans for several canoes AND kayaks.

> The frames can be respaced to create longer boats (within reason).
>

> He has a plan for creating a cloth deck for canoes. Very simple
> way to keep out some of he waves.

> A 16 foot canoe holds about 600 pounds. A 18 footer holds about
> 900. Add up the weights of the adults, toddlers, and gear then add
> 60 for the dog. His kayaks hold about 500 pounds.

> If the family weighs more than the capacity of the boat, look
> at the Guide Canoe in Gil Gilpatricks book. I think he has a 20 to
> 22 footer with a 45 inch beam that holds around 3000 pounds. It is
> bigger than most boats, but i believe he says it can hold a moose.
>

> Haszen and Gilpatrick are of the opinion that wind problems in
> a canoe are related to the height of the bow and stern. They both
> have designs that have relatively low ends, to minimize the sail effect.
> The downside is the possibility of waves entering the boat. Thus the
> suggestion to look at Hazen's plan for an easily removeable cloth
> deck.

> Or, you could build 2 boats.

> I'd forget trying to build a true pirogue, unless you are in
> a big hurry to get something on the water. They are fast to build.
> There are some hard chined canoes that are not much more difficult
> to build, and have better handling and look nicer. Paul Jacobson