(photos & text uploaded for Mike by Barry)

For the people that have been following my progress with my canoe making ...

My Latest and 2nd Cedar canoe to make called the Winisk was completed June 13th. I got to try it out Father's day with my son in a local river. I started late last November.

I am very happy with the weight. At 57lbs, she comes in one pound lighter then my 16' 6" Kipawa! The Winisk is 17' 6" long and not great on tight rivers but great for larger lakes and large loads.

Hope to see Algonquin waters this year. Thanks for checking it out.

Cheers
Mike































Barry Bridgeford
http://www.AlgonquinAdventures.com
http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Sweet

Very impressive. Well done and congrats. What a beautiful piece..

Wow Mike, this is truly the most beautiful Winisk I have ever seen. Being a Swift dealer, I've seen a lot of Winisks. There's just something about the beauty of Wood.

I would give my first born for a boat this beautiful.. (pst.. just don't tell him)

I couldn't even start to put a value to something this unique and beautiful.

Randy Mitson
Algonquin Outfitters
Huntsville, Ontario
mailto:randym@algonquinoutfitters.com

Nice boat!!!!

Awesome!

Great job Mike!

Jeff P
http://algonquincanoeing.blogspot.com/

Mike your canoe made my blog today.

See
http://ao-sales.blogspot.com/2009/06/beautiful-canon.html

Randy Mitson
Algonquin Outfitters
Huntsville, Ontario
mailto:randym@algonquinoutfitters.com

Thanks Randy!

Thanks everyone else for comments!

I will be starting to make a 3rd model this fall. Not sure what model just yet...Perhaps the Kipawa.

Cheers
Mike

Mike B

The Winisk has long been my favorite boat. It's got proven seaworthy lines that hit the sweetspot for an all around, big water, tripping canoe. You've taken that beautiful design and turned it into an absolutely stunning work of art. Congratulations!

Mark S.

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Just a beatiful work of art. You've got great talent Mike.

Dave and Jeanine

Another great job Mike. Did you make and cane your own seats too?

S.

Hey SmedleyCo

Yep....I made the seats from scratch and I used natural cane. I weaved the seats mostly in front of the TV as it takes hours and does not excite me much doing so...I tried to get my wife Laurie to do it....but no go! I said she has to weave her seat in the Bow...still,,,,,,,,,,,no go! I tried! Lol.
About 4-6 hours per seat is needed.

Cheers
Mike

Mike B

Speechless......beautiful canoe Mike B. Even a hand carved yoke.........again speechless.

Hand woven seats! 4-6 hours each!...................................once again speechless.

Mike B..........master of woodworking/woodcraft? I'm thinking so.

I am in awe sir.



SBA

You put me to shame Mike! My canoe is only a stitch and glue and it's sitting in the garage half done after a year and a half. I only seem able to get out and work on it during the winter months, about January - April. Too much going on. I need to try and make time for it but life intervenes!

Perhaps you have a suggestion for my seats? I'm thinking I will only put one in (it's a two seater but I'm making it a solo boat). I think I'm going to go for more of a Kayak type seat, sitting on some sort of pad or seat on the floor with a backrest. Know what I mean?

Again, great work.
S.

Hey SBA...Master woodworker I'm not..not by profession anyways. I wanted to do so as a trade but was talked into getting a trade in the auto sector....errrrrrrrrrr..now hate it..

I only widdle wood as a hobby and I am taking a liken to making strippers.


SmedleyCo...I think I know what you are talking about the seat. As long as you may not be sitting to low in the hull that when you paddle, the paddle shaft does not get the gunnels...


Cheers
Mike

Mike B

Mike

Two words....

Absolutely gorgeous!!!!!

Can't wait to see her at the Pinery Park

Dave Harman

It's all Mind over matter,You don't mind it don't matter!
http://www.harman.wildrec.net

That is awesome work, should put it in the canoe museum. Amazing!!!!!

Hello Mike Burns.
That yoke you made is exactly like the one I am trying to find plans for(check thread How to make contour yoke).Was there plans for that posted on here before?

Hey moodyblu

I did not have plans to make the one you see. I just copied one yoke I had. I sort of used it as a pattern. I made some templetes from it used these to carve out the new one close to it. I glued 2 3/4" thick pieces of wood, one walnut the other cherry to get the 2 colour contrast.
I still have not found the tread you asked for...its bugging me know!

cheers

Mike B

I remember the thread you are speaking of...it had a piece of graph paper background, I believe, in the image. One problem is that older posts will no longer have their associated images paired with them so, even if you found it, the picture might not be there. The one I'm thinking of, if it is the same as everyone else remembers, had to be at least a year ago and likely closer to two or even three! Best of luck!

And Mike, kudos on just an excellent job again. It would be a dream to paddle that work of art!

She's beautiful

Laurie
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
www.outdooradventurecanada.com
www.wildernesscooking.com

Thanks Pa,
I took the canoe for a small camping trip at the Pinery off Lake Huron.
She was very fast! I think faster then my Kipawa. It seem to take less effort to get the Winisk moving fast...a little harder to turn but I fer sure love it.

Cheers

Mike B

Boy, would I love to caress that honey!
What a great way to spend the winter months Mike, and a beauty result.
Awesome!
heh heh



Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Do you give lessons ?

Some day I'd love to try my hand at such craftmanship
but Then again I'd be so afraid of using it on early
May trips that it would likely end up being left sadly
at home many a time... No way am I jumping out of canoe
approaching/departing a portage in Late Apr/early May
as I've seen too many a canoeist do in warmer temps as
there was no way I was told often that their canoe would
ever touch log/sand or rock at such unpaved entry/departure points!


Summary


WOW , you have crafted a great craft there and I hope it helped
keep the winter blahs at bay and that you have many a trip
in her

Raton Laveur
aka

*Rac n*

Sure Randy!
I can teach you my little fry.

We got to still get that white water thing going perhaps next year our dates will all work out.

cheers

Mike B

I had the opportunity to see her in person and the pics don't do it justice, she is absolutely gorgeous !!!
Good work Mike !

Dave

It's all Mind over matter,You don't mind it don't matter!
http://www.harman.wildrec.net

Thanks Dave!!!!

Should you be sailing?



Mike B

Hi Mike
Just got back from cape cod Wed. after noon, gone for 6 days weather was great but winds were light.
Got a good tast of trimaran sailing now must get to building and get mine in the water.

Have you started the canoe yet, or waiting till the fall.

Dave

It's all Mind over matter,You don't mind it don't matter!
http://www.harman.wildrec.net

Hi Mike
Just got back from cape cod Wed. after noon, gone for 6 days weather was great but winds were light.
Got a good tast of trimaran sailing now must get to building and get mine in the water.

Have you started the next canoe yet, or waiting till the fall.

Dave

It's all Mind over matter,You don't mind it don't matter!
http://www.harman.wildrec.net