Iriquios, Issaquah or Sasquatch?

[Workin Man]

I'm looking for a canoe in the 14'ish range that I can paddle from the center position. All of the above should work for that, I think. This will be my third boat build, but the first using the stitch and glue method. I have used marine epoxy and fiberglass before though. I really like the looks of the sasquatch 14-30, but i'm thinking that as a first time build in stitch and glue, that there is a potential to end up with a very heavy canoe due to the number of fillets and possbly putting too much material in them. The Issy has a few less seams, so a bit less potential for excess weight, unless I'm mistaken on the idea above. The Iriquios seems to be a simpler build, but is listed as a little heavier than the others, though all the hull weights seem reasonable for my needs. This boat will mostly see day tripping/fishing, but I want to be able to do one or two week wilderness trips with it on occaision as well. It will never see more than class one or very mild class two rapids (intentionally anyway) 300lbs max payload. I'd like to hear everyones input on these or other boats, with this kind of usage in mind.

Thanks, Jim

[hairymick]

G'day Jim,

I have only built one canoe and that is the Sas.16.5'X33" I have to tell you that I love this boat and think it is up there with the very best canoes - period. Sasquatch is a paddlers boat. By that, I mean that once you start to paddle a Sasquatch, you won't want to stop - ever. They really are that good.

There are more panels in a Sasquatch - hence more work marking out, cutting and filliting but I doubt if that would have much bearing on the final weight.

I have only ever heard very good things about both Merimac and Iroquois and all who have built them seem very happy with them. I have allways liked the lines of both.

I think all three would suit your needs well and be more than adequate, with Iroquois possibly being the easiest build, then Merimac and then Sasquatch. Even then Sas14 should not be a difficult build.

Choice is entirely up to you mate.

Good luck, and please share your build with us here.

[jem]

This will be my third boat build, but the first using the stitch and glue method. I have used marine epoxy and fiberglass before though.

If you've built a boat before and have use epoxy and fiberglass, I think you could take on the Sas 14.

Fillets on the interior seams are what you have to be careful about. But if you take your time and use the tip of a plastic spoon to ensure you have a uniform shape and size, I think you'd do fine.

[hairymick]

Jim,

I like the Sas 14 so much I bought the plans for that on. I gott a couple of other boats to get done first, but will be starting athe 14 real soon.

I expect to be able to fish from all of my boats and also don't carry much in the way of load. I think Sas 14will be ideal for my solo needs and be even better than my 16.5 for running low grade rivers.

Not sure if it would be better than Merimac or Iroquois, but is way prettier to my eye and well worth the extra effort in build.

[Oldsparkey]

I have built a few boats and plan on starting the 14 x 30 in a week or so. The kit is on it's way to my home as we speak.

The panels in it are not that big of a problem , I have built a different canoe at 15 1/2 feet with as many panels and the filleting was done on each panel. Both canoes the one i have and the 14 x 30 are 10 panel boats.
When the canoe was compleated it was just a shade over 40 pounds and has paddled (not by choice ) class 2 and close to class 3 rapids. They felt more like 12 and class 16 rapids on a camping trip for a week. I was told that river did not have rapids in it and it was all rapids. Before you ask.... Yes I am still paddling it and it is in new shape , no damage from that trip.

The 14 x 30 will be used on water here in the south , Florida , Georgia and the Carolinas with out any rapids. Might even make it to Canada. I use my boats for camping and they have to take me and my gear with some room to spare. Even at my 212 pounds ( I need to lose 20 of them )and my gear I'm sure the 14 x 30 will do the trick , even betting on it.

One trick I do to lighten up the fillets is to use the glass bubbles with the wood flour in the fillets , this lightens them in place of just using epoxy and wood flour.

I'm making it as a solo canoe and going to see if I can make it lighter then the other which should be easy to do since it is 1 1/2 feet shorter then the one I have now and narrower.

I purchased the kit since the wife thinks my workshop is her storage area , normally I cut the panels out myself. This time I don't have the space to do it so I got smart and had Matt do the hard work for me.

Time will tell and I think it will be interesting on the final weight.

Chuck.

[Kayak Jack]

Workin Man,

Tape the area for the fillets and you will have them corralled. then, as Matt suggests, use the back of a plastic spoon to shape them. You may want a second spoon to scrape off the excess.

Before you fillet, however, there are lots of opportunities to either pare off weight or let it accumulate. When glassing both outside and inside, use the plastic scraper to remove excess epoxy. throw it away. It is cheaper, easier, prettier, and lighter to do this. Experience taught me that - but I was a slow learner.