1865 St. Francis Canoe Plans
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The 1865 St. Francis 2-Fathom Canoe appears as Figure 80 in The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America
For the St. Francis canoe, Edwin Tappan Adney’s drawing disagrees with his stated measurements by a few inches. I decided to stick with the drawing’s linear scale. On a personal note, I had a slight difficulty fairing this canoe. Near the bow, the pinch and the roundness of the keel area seemed to fight each other. I eventually came to a satisfying conclusion with what I believe is fair and close to Adney’s drawings. Building the stem area with cedar strips might present challenges, but a generous use of nails, straps and clamps should solve any troubles. This boat has graceful curves and a flat bottom. Its 14-foot length will make it easy to move around or solo. It looks like a nice cabin canoe or a solo tripper. I can imagine this canoe on many Minnesota lakes.
Specifications
Length: 14 feet 3 inches
Width: 31.2 inches
Depth: 13.8 inches
Maximum Capacity: 700 lbs.
Building From the Plans
You’ll need instructions if you want to build this canoe. Check out my canoe and kayak building books review. Everything you need to know is in one of those 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
The free cedar canoe plans come as a pdf (free Adobe Reader required to view) that you can print off at photocopy stores.
Bryan Hansel
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.
7 Comments
Fat Paddler
As always, love your work Bryan. After my recent canoe marathon I’ve found I’ve fallen in love with canoes in general. Now I’m thinking of building a fast two-seater for next year’s marathon. Keep that in mind when deciding on what plans to post in the coming weeks! Cheers – FP :)
Bryan Hansel
I’ll see if there’s anything in Bark and Skin that looks marathonish.
Since you’re getting into canoes, we need to get you to canoe country sometime.
Tigergor
Great plans! Thanks for all the hard work!
I’m looking to build my first skin on frame canoe and just wondered if you could advise how to translate these plans to templates?
Thanks
Bryan Hansel
Hi Tigergor,
The drawings are cross-section stations at 1-foot intervals. I’ve never built a SOF canoe, but I think you could use the cross-sections to help define your rib shapes.
Max Watzke
Hi Bryan, you can see some pic’s on the website http://www.dorsch-holzdesign.de. Jürgen Dorsch build canoes skin on frame with steambent rips from bamboo and the skin is nylon. The canoes are very light and durable.
This mail is a little late, but may be, Tigeror is interrested in getting more information.
Max
Bryan Hansel
Thanks, Max.
Ryker Vorton
I’m so glad of finding this site! I’m new into canoes (quite a veteran kayak paddler though) and since solo canoes are not available in my country i decided to build my own. I believe this model is what i am looking for. Probably even a quick starter to make a fiberglass one!
Just wanted to say big thank you! Greetings from Argentina