FUR FACTS 



271 



I believe will enable anyone to construct a good substantial can- 

 vas boat in a few hours' time. 



Our first, and likewise, most important step was to assemble 

 the framework of the boat. Using for the bulkheads the ends of boxes 

 which we had selected and used to ship our freight from St. Louis 

 (barrel hoops may be used for this purpose when box ends are not 

 available, although the box ends are more durable) we proceeded to 

 construct a framework in accordance with the diagram here shown. 



For the longitudinals we used 

 thin strips of pine. 



Finding that one man could 

 accommodate himself in a cockpit 

 three feet long, we set two bulk- 

 heads, three feet apart on the keel, 

 equally distant from the midship 

 section. A "collision bulkhead" 

 was set fifteen inches from each 

 of these. In the midship section 

 we used a barrel hoop for stiffen- 

 ing. 



After the framework was com- 

 pleted we tacked on the canvas, 

 using common carpet tacks for this 

 purpose and covering as shown 

 in the accompanying photograph. 

 We were then ready for the 

 paint. Before putting on the first coat of paint the canvas must be 

 wet. It is not necessary to use heavy canvas; six or eight ounce 

 duck is the weight most commonly used for this purpose. Three 

 coats of paint are usually applied, but we didn't have time to wait 

 for a third to dry, so we let it go with two. 



When launched the boat was complete in every detail; it set on 

 the water like a duck, drawing only about 3 inches, in perfect 

 trim, without the slightest list, and not leaking a drop. 



I have built no less than ten canoes in this way and they have 

 always given good service. Seven or eight dollars usually covers the 

 cost complete. 



It was about 3 o'clock when our boat was finished, but it would 

 not be ready for use for twenty-four hours, as it would take that 

 long for the paint to dry. That night we set a few traps for fox and 

 mink of which there were signs in abundance, my uncle using for the 



px- 



HT Hh-HhHL TH 



0-0 SCUD BUCHHtADS 

 BAAREL HOOPS 



