3/4 view of a Beothuk Canoe modeled from free plans.
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Free Canoe Plans: Beothuk Canoe

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The Beothuk Canoe appears as Figure 87 in the Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America. It differs from every other canoe in that book, and no actual physical model existed when Adney surveyed the canoes. He based the drawing on historic and sometime conflicting descriptions, and a birch-bark canoe toy found in the grave of a Beothuk boy. Chapelle notes that when turned upside down the canoe makes a shelter with a 3-foot head clearance. The canoe can also heel over on the water further than other canoes. Chapelle speculates that the canoes were designed for open-water navigation.

Although it may seem like an April Fools’ Day joke, it’s not. This also marks the end of my winter long Free Canoe and Kayak Plan project. Overall, I produced 25 plans based on historic designs found in several books — Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America has been a constant companion during that time. I hope you enjoyed following along, or if you found this through the Internet, check out my other free canoe plans.

Specifications

Length: 15 feet
Width: 43.5 inches
Draft: 8 inches
Displacement: 625 lbs.

Linesplans

Free Beothuk Canoe Plans

Canoe Building Books

These plans don’t include instructions. If you want that, pick up a canoe building book.

For a more, check out my review of canoe and kayak building books.

Get the Drawing Package

The drawing package includes the full-sized study plan and each station and stem drawn separately on a PDF that prints full sized on ARCH D size paper (nestings). You can cut these out and glue them to plywood to cut full-sized forms. A pdf of the electronic drawing package. is available for this kayak. You can print the file on 24- by 36-inch paper on your own.

Free Canoe Plans Downloads

This week’s plans come in three downloads. It’s a big boat!

 

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Bryan Hansel is a freelance writer, award-winning photographer and a former American Canoe Association L4 Open Water Coastal Kayaking Instructor. His home port is on Lake Superior in Grand Marais, Minnesota. He also teaches photography workshops.

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