Free Canoe Plans: Malecite Racing Canoe of 1888

In 1888, Jim Paul and Peter Polchies built the Malecite Racing Canoe of 1888 for Lt. Col. Herbert Dibble of Woodstock notes Howard I. Chapelle in the Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America. This 19-foot, 30-inch canoes, which appears as figure 66 in his book, shows flare in the center and tumblehome towards the ends. Its sleek hull looks fast. The original was built lightly built and much decorated.

There’s something about Malecite canoes. The lines seem to draw my eyes, and the canoe in this free plan does the same. I imagine that it’s a tender but fast ride, and I think it looks like a fast boat. Something to use on flat water when you want to tick off mile after mile with two strong paddlers. I’m not sure if it meets canoe racing regulations, but it’d be interesting to see how it stacks up to modern canoes.

p.s. I modeled it in red, because everyone knows red is faster.

Specifications

Length: 19 feet 6 1/2 inches
Width: 30 1/2 inches
Depth: 12 1/2 inches
Optimum Capacity: 300 to 600 lbs.

Canoe Building Books

These drawings don’t include instructions. If you want to build a cedar strip canoe, pick up a canoe building instruction book.

• Canoecraft: An Illustrated Guide to Fine Woodstrip Construction.
• Building a Strip Canoe, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded by Gil Gilpatrick
• Consider buying The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America for more info about this canoe.
  

For a more in-depth list, check out my canoe and kayak building books review.

Sample Station and Stem Plans

The free drawings comes with a combined station and stem plan. You can work from this if you only want to print out one piece of paper. Great for framing and placing in the boat house (garage). Sample below.

Nesting Sample

These drawings come with multiple pages of nestings. Each station and stem is drawn separately. Use spray adhesive to fix the paper to your plywood before cutting out the forms. Nestings cost extra. Sample below.

Printed Drawings

Buy printed drawings that include the Station and Stem Plans and a full set of Nestings for $100. Comes printed on 24- by 36-inch paper.

Electronic Nestings

Buy a pdf of the electronic nestings for $30. You can print the file on 24- by 36-inch paper on your own.

Donate

If you build this canoe from the free plans, consider donating $30 for my time and effort. Any donations are appreciated. Whether or not you donate, please, send me a picture of your build–I’ll add it to a builder’s gallery.

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