Build a Canoe Camp

This is a 9 day camp held at the Finger Lakes Boating Museum in Hammondsport, NY

During this program participants will build a classic cedar canvas canoe using techniques and tools from the 1800's. The cedar ribs will be hand shaped and steam bent over a form. Thin cedar planks be hand nailed,and clinch tacked to the ribs using brass canoe tacks. Once the hull is removed from the form the planking is finished. Decks,thwarts,and hand carved carry yoke are installed with silicon bronze bolts. The wooden shell is treated with boiled linseed oil,and varnish then a cotton canvas skin is stretched tightly on and fastened. A filler paint is applied and then the enamel paints applied along with more varnish. The gunwales are fastened on ,and the canoe is completed with a brass bang plate at the bows. The class built canoe will then be raffled to a student that wishes to own the canoe. There is an additional fee to the winner.

Cost for the program is $500.00 per student. The winner of the raffle to own the canoe will pay an additional $1,000.00 for materials .

The instructor for the program is Patrick Smith of West Hollow Boat Co. Naples N.Y. Pat has been a professional wooden boat builder /restorer for twenty five years and has taught many programs. He is an enthusiastic instructor and been with the Finger Lakes Boating Museum for years.