November 24th, 2018
While attending a Winter Camping Symposium at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. I saw for the first time in my life a skin on frame canoe. I was intrigued by how simple and beautiful it looked. Having made a lot of my own back country camping gear I knew that it was a project I wanted to undertake. I quickly stumbled upon Brian and Cape Falcon Kayak during my initial research. By the second or third YouTube video I was convinced, this was how I wanted to make my SOF Canoe. The day after that Winter Camping Symposium my 15 year old son was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital to undergo spinal surgery to remove part of a tumor from his spine. He and I stayed in the hospital until February 14th, when he had regained his strength to come back home.
April 23rd, 2019
I placed the order for the “Skin-on-Frame Canoe Building Course and Plans (BETA version)” and binged watched every video. I wanted to start the project as soon as possible but not until I had watched every video. There were parts in the videos where I thought to myself “am I going to be able to do this?”, Brian video were great and gave me the confidence that I could do it. There was only one thing in my way of beginning the build, I needed to clear out half of my two car garage in order to make room for the build.
…
…
July 8th, 2019
July 15th, 2019
Watch me launch my canoe live for the first time July 15th, 2019 at 4:00 PM EST
Although my canoe is now finished I will be back here to blog my experience from beginning to end.
Hope you can join in the fun, what could go wrong while live filming.
Cheers
Rob Morris
October 28, 2020
Message for Rob in Mississauga:
I am in Mississauga too – interested for some time in the Cape Falcon SOF boats. How has your boat turned out? Were you able to source all the materials, especially the strips for steam-bending?
October 29, 2020
Trevor,
My boat turned out beautiful. It definitely turns some heads and I always get complimented on it when out on the waters and when it is strapped to the roof of my vehicle.
I was able to find some air dried Oak out near Cambridge ON, from a fellow who had posted on Kijiji.ca If you search kijiji for for air dried lumber you will find a few. I spent about thirty minutes picking through his pile to find good clean straight grain stock. As for the cedar stringers I purchase one piece of clear 16′ stock from Noah’s in Etobicoke.
Rob
September 9, 2021
Trevor, were you able to source some bending oak? I have a farmer friend who has some perfect wood, I only broke 3 ribs out of 33 during my build. LMK,
November 6, 2020
Hi Rob
I was wondering if you would be able to tell me how much it cost to build your canoe? If you’re not comfortable with sharing that information would you be able to at least tell me if it was more or less than the $350.00 US stated on Cape Falcons website? Allowing for exchange rate of course. Thanks Jim
November 6, 2020
Hi Jim,
The most expensive part of the build was the skin, which I ordered from shop.skinboats.com.
——————————————————————————————–
Qty | Item # | Description | Price Each | Total Price
———————————————————————————————
1 | 840s&gkit | 840 X-TRA Tuff Ballistic Nylon and Coating | $153.00 | $153.00
| Value Kit
1 | polysin | Waxed Artificial Sinew/ Polyester Flat | $15.50 | $15.50
Colors: Natural
1 | nedset | 8 piece needle set | $9.00 | $9.00
———————————————————————————————
Subtotal $177.50
Tax $0.00
Shipping (Standard) & Handling $47.44
———————————————————————————————
Balance Due $224.94
Next most expensive was the wood. I purchased a rough 16′ Clear Cedar board from Noah’s in Etobicoke for $80CAD and used about $40CAD. I purchase approximately $100CAD worth of Air Dried White Oak and used about $50CAD worth. I have enough wood left over to make a second boat, Just need to buy another skin.
Less than $50CAD of other required materials.
I would say $350USD is a reasonable.
Rob