This is essentially a birchbark canoe with a fiberglass skin. We have 4 canoes in 4 lengths- 15, 16, 18 and 23ft long.
We use one layer of the 17 oz stitched fabric (very strong) and the flexible vinyl ester resin. The skin holds its shape
but is very flexible. Once we put on the gunwales, thwarts and insert the ribs and sheathing the shape changes the same way
a birchbark canoe comes to life when the ribs are inserted with pressure. The hull becomes a bit rockered at the ends
like a birchbark canoe, everything is tight like a drum - just like a birchbark canoe - and the look is authentic inside
and out. The weight of the ribs and sheathing adds about 20 lbs so you are looking at about 76 lbs on an 18' to 19'
model and about 66 lbs and 56 lbs on the 16' and 15' models respectively. This is very similar in weight to a real
birchbark canoe with the difference that the portage weight stays the same whereas birch bark absorbs water and thus
increases in weight by about 10 lbs at the portage.
The Base Price is
Extra Features
ORDERING YOUR CANOE
Unlike your standard conventional canoe these require much time to trim out. Each is custom made so
there will be a slight wait involved. Our policy is a deposit of one third and a signed agreement that protects
you as regards your deposit and tells us what you want in your canoe - it puts us on the same page.
The balance is due upon completion and prior to shipping or pick-up.
Contact us at 509-216-7451 voice or email at john@barkcanoe.com for more
information. How To Order
509-216-7451 voice
john@barkcanoe.com e-mail
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Consignment Canoes
If you want a birchbark canoe but live in an area that is too dry for the bark this is strong option. If you do living
history and want something durable and realistic both inside and out again this is a good way to go.
Click on any image to view more photos.
On the left is a 16ft Ojibwe longnose canoe, typical of western Ontario and northern Minnesota. Next to it
is an Ancient Algonquin/Ojibwe style canoe, typical of what would have been seen from the Ottawa River to Lake
Champlain, throughout the Great Lakes and all the way to Wisconsin and the Minnesota border. This is the style
most likely seen coming down the rivers into the Ohio Valley and used by early explorers. To the right of it
is the interior of the longnose canoe and all the way to the right is a detail of the prow and interior of the
Old Algonquin/Ojibwe.
Features and Prices
15 & 16 ft Ottawa, Abenaki and Longnose = $5350
19ft Ottawa, Abenaki or Longnose = $6495
23ft Fur Trade = $10,250
The hybrid canoes come with cedar ribs and sheathing, with cedar head boards and gunwale caps. They are painted with the
linticels (little lines in the birch bark) and pitched. They are just like a birchbark canoe with the exception of the skin being of fiberglass
instead of bark.
Primarily due to the volatile nature of the oil industry the cost of materials and shipping can effect our
costs. Therefore prices are subject to change at any time. Once you have ordered and paid a deposit the
price is locked in.
Lashings
The base canoe includes lashing from the end thwarts to the tip of the prows and at each of the thwarts.
You can have us lash the remainder of the canoe or get the materials and instructions and lash it yourself. The
lashing kit is $50 and for us to lash it is $335 for the 15' canoe, $385 for the 16', $425 for the 18' models and $550 for 20 ' models..
Design Changes
Any major modifications from our basic designs will incur additional costs on a case by case basis. This would
include such things as increased depth or major prow height and design changes. Talk to us and tell
us what you want and we will let you know the cost.
Seats
The voyaguers occasionally had seats in their canoes. These worked on the same principle as the old wooden swing
hanging from the tree branch - a board with two holes on each end. Heavy leather thongs are run through the holes,
up and over the gunwales into and through holes in the hull directly under the gunwales then through the board
and tied. They are made of 1x6" spruce or hemlock board and are stained (if desired) and oiled. Price is $75 for 2 and
come assembled. You can adjust the height.
Stenciled Designs added
Perhaps you would prefer to have us do the design work in-house. Simply choose a motif and we will do the work.
Prow motifs $75 per print. Gunwale motifs $200. (See example in photo above)
Price does not include shipping. The cost of shipping varies with your location and the size of your canoe.
Typically you can expect $350 to $450. This is subject to change due to the ups and downs of fuel costs.
