JEM Watercraft

I’ve been reading Gilpatrick’s “Building a Strip Canoe”(no stem pieces)and Moore’s “Canoecraft”(inside and outside stem pieces). My question is about the heavy stem used in most of the instructions on the internet and in books.

Is the layered or carved stem piece necessary to build a strong stripper, or is it a functional decoration that protects the bow area?

If it is necessary why do we not use it in our S&G?

Would the built up epoxy nose and end pour we use be just a functional?

Darrell did you put any type of stem piece inside the Freedom or did you end pour it?
Thanks guys just a thought that struck me.

Joe W.

I use the stem pieces in the pirogues I make for the simple reason that I get the kit which has them and the ribs already cut. Including the stripper pirogue I made.

The stitch and glue boats I have made all have epoxy end pours in them. I like the idea of having the bow and stern reinforced in case it bangs into something. The kayak has a 3 inch end pour in the bow and stern , one reason for that , besides the above mentioned one , is if I want to add a rudder to it there is a solid piece in the stern to drill threw and mount it on.

Chuck.

You can include a stem in a stitch and glue design. However, the edge grain strength of ply is very stout.

The design needs to have a rounded side profile to allow easy assembly of a multi-layer stem.

I put a thick bead of epoxy/woodflour inside and built an exteral stem.

I did not put a stem piece on a cedar strip Kayak I built. It has functioned just fine without. I did internal end pours on it.

I am currently building Gilpatrick's White Guide 18 1/2 footer. I had made the forms several years ago and started stripping it last October. The outside is completely done (other than varnish and trim). I did not put on wooden stems. Instead I made my stems out of epoxy/wood flour, same as my Sabalo. I will also put a thick fillet/end pour on the inside. The reason it has taken so long is that I took a long break last winter and spring to build my Sabalo. I hope to finish the canoe soon so I can start another SOT. I hoping for a JEM tandem like Scottrunner's.

Stem before sanding to shape:

Stem after sanding, fiberglassing, etc...:


If I was going to put a stem on, I would make a laminated one like Darrell did rather than carving one. I put ash stems on my strip built Touring Pirogue, but that was rather simple since they were just straight pieces of wood instead of curved.