Jon Wiegand once summed up what drew him to building boats: "Wooden boats are just classy." While that may not always be true, his canoe proved that a good design in the hands of a skillful builder is sure to be a class act. Bands of steel are placed where each rib will go and will turn the points of the canoe tacks that fasten the planking. What appears to be a keel will hold the ribs tight against the hull while they're being bent.
Photographs by Jon Wiegand
Photographs by Jon Wiegand
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Wow! Beautiful work Jon. Congratulations on a great accomplishment.
Glad to see a Midwest story! I learned to sail on West Okoboji* on a Butterfly.
*one of the Iowa Great Lakes. Ed.
I would be interested in the composition of the paint-like canvas filler.
The canvas fillers made up of linseed oil, silica powder, and Japan drier. The one-gallon can it comes in is hard to mix as the silica settles to the bottom. Pour off the liquid and remix it while adding the small portions of the liquid back in. Its a messy job, so wear gloves.