The strongback with frames for Wee Lassie. The wheels allow me to roll it out into the driveway to work in the sunshine or to do the dusty sanding without making too much mess in the shop

Another view of the frames ready for stripping the boat. I was able to cut the forms out of the forms for the 12' canoe I made a couple of years ago. I rarely make the same model more than once so it was a good re-use of materials

Side view before beginning to lay up boat

End view showing internal stem from boat knee stock and 2 strips applied

Side view with 16' canoe (our first project in the boat-building saga) and the stone firewall protecting the house from me in the garage

Aerial view with 8 strips on each side. This boat has only a little rocker so the strips are going on easily so far

View with 8 strips. The color difference is simply from sponging off the slops of glue after stripping the boat. This is what the finish will look like when done (the clear wood look)

The stripping is halfway done today - 3rd day.

various clamps aid in shaping the cedar to the forms. Steaming would help but isn't needed and takes longer than makes sense for this project

From the end you can easily see the canoe taking shape now

Here you can see some bungees holding the strips against the forms - those and loots of spring clamps

Another view of the many clamps doing what they do best. I'll let the glue set up and begin again in the morning. Day 3 was a good day

Day 4 at noon, and the sides are done

View from above showing the football-shaped section yet to be completed

A detailed view of the end of the inside bow stem as it gets covered up

The straps and clamps are something I tried for the first time even though this is my 6th boat. They made is a bit slower but much easier to make the twists and turns as the bilge rounds over and the strips approach the stem ends

The bottom strips go together in a basket-weave pattern to add strength and improve the appearance

3 strips to go. the final 3 are the trickiest

Strips are now done. Sanding and filling begins on the next day, after the staples are pulled out. Holes from loose knots and poorly-fitting strips are filled with glue mixed with sanding dust so they match reasonably well with the rest of the boat

Another view of the old canoe, this one and the rock firewall

Another side view of the boat prior to sanding. I'm eager to try this one out in the water-our pond here at home first, naturally