How to Build a Plywood Canoe

Last Updated: August 10, 2021 References

You can build your son or daughter a plywood canoe in a few days. The simplest canoes are made of just 3 pieces of plywood: the two sides, and the base. More complex shapes can be created, but these instructions are for a simple canoe.

Steps

1
Cut out two strips of plywood 10 inches (25.4cm) wide by 8 feet (2.4 m) (243.8cm) long. Put a slight slope onto each end, if you like.Put the two strips on top of one another, and drill a series of 4 holes through both, at each end. Use small cable ties to fasten them together.^{[1]
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2
Get your child to sit on the remaining sheet of plywood, and pull open the two strips of plywood, lifting them over the child's head and onto the plywood (or you could just make a decision for your child, the wider the better). The child can then decide what shape the canoe should be, by pushing the sides out. The wider the canoe, the more stable it will be on the water.

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3
Hold the sides carefully, and get someone to draw around the shape on the bottom sheet of plywood.Cut out the bottom of the canoe, and fasten it to the sides with the cable ties. Plop the "tails" of the cable ties on the outside of the boat.
4
Use polyester resin and 2 inch (50.8mm) wide glass fibre tape to seal the seams. When the resin has dried, turn the boat over and cut off all the cable ties. Use an electric planer to tidy up the outside before using the resin and tape on the outside seams. A small deck can be added at each end, or simply a "stick" across between the gunwales to keep the sides apart.^{[2]
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5
Put edging strips along the top (gunwale) of the canoe.^{[3]
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6
Coat the whole boat with exterior varnish.^{[4]
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7
Work fast. You can complete the whole job in two to three weekends.
8
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Is this type of canoe illegal in some places? Would it need a title or certification of some kind to use it?

Community Answer

As far as I know, if the boat is under 20 feet then you don't need to register it.
Question

Can this support an adult?

Community Answer

Yes, if you use stronger materials to reinforce it.
Question

Is this canoe made of regular plywood?

Community Answer

Marine-grade plywood in best for making boats.

Warnings

Inspect the craft for proper operation before allowing inexperienced persons to use it.

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Always insist every passenger wears a buoyancy aid (Life Jacket/ Life Vest) when using the canoe.

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Make sure children never canoe alone.

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Use vinyl gloves when handling resin.

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Always use polyester resin in well ventilated areas.

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Things You'll Need

2 sheets of 1/8in (3.2mm) Exterior Water and Boil Proof birch plywood (more environmentally friendly than marine ply, but perhaps not so durable)
Up to 1.5 gallons (4.7L) of polyester resin, plus catalyst
About 100 feet (30.4m) of glass fiber tape 2 inch (50.8mm) wide.
About 0.25 gallons (1L) of exterior varnish, for example, yacht varnish or exterior stain