Canoe Materials & Construction

Classic Cedar Canoes – American Traders canoes are built using a variety of materials and techniques. The following covers the major details of construction.

Construction – Using traditional techniques canoe hulls are formed over custom designed wood and steel molds. This ensures that each canoe is built to a uniform shape yet is individualized by the texture and patterns of the wood grain. White cedar ribs are steamed and bent over the form and then cedar planking is attached to the ribs with brass tacks that self clinch when they strike the metal bands on the mold creating a very strong and lightweight fastening system. Planking is quarter-sawn red or white cedar that is butt jointed on the mold. On canoes that are to be canvas-finished a little gap is left between planks to allow for slight contraction and expansion of the wood as humidity changes. The planking on epoxy-finished canoes is more tightly placed as the epoxy covering bonds to the planks and limits movement. It is quite normal to have small gaps between the planks that in no way affect the structural integrity or water-tightness of the canoes. When the planking is complete a watertight covering of traditional canvas or epoxy is applied to the outside of the hull. Deck, seats and thwarts are installed and the interiors of all canoes and exterior of epoxy canoes are protected with a marine spar varnish.

Red Cedar – Western red cedar – or Thuja-plicata, from western Canada and United States is highly resistant to decay and is valued for boat building. The wood is used for planking and is colored from pale pink to chocolate brown with a beautiful grain pattern