1865 St. Francis Canoe Launched

Back in September, I wrote that I hadn’t seen any replicas built of the 1865 St. Francis 2-Fathom Canoe, which appears as Figure 80 in The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America, until Evan B. sent me photos of his 1865 St. Francis Canoe build. Now, we have another cedar-strip replica built and on the water. Ph. Payen sent a few photos of his new canoe.

He wrote: Please find herewith a couple of pictures of a 1865 St Francis canoe made out of white pine, a tad heavy (62 pounds). I left the plywood apron inside stem and stern, and covered them with fiberglass to make watertight compartments. Gunwales had to be steamed, but the result is worth it. I used it solo to this day, and I am not certain my wife will join me one day. We are absolute beginners in paddling, and I must admit that the first trials were quite wet. There does not seem to be any kind of secondary stability, but it moves effortlessly, and it is a very pleasant way to be on the water.

When I made my 3D model based on the drawings in The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America, I I couldn’t find any photos before I released the free canoe plans. Now we have two builders within months showing off their builds. That’s amazing.

Thanks to Ph. Payen for sending these over. The canoe looks amazing!