The “Bellinger” Double Chine Canoe

Easy to Build

The ‘Bellinger’ is a simple stitch and tape plywood canoe that is cut out then stitched together with plastic cable ties or copper wire & fastened with Bote Cote epoxy Resin thickened with Gluing & Filleting Filler in to provide a thick paste.  The result is a 4.2m canoe with a 750mm beam that is light enough to be carried by one adult.  It will handle two (2) adults easily, is very stable, and is easy to paddle.
The design is ideal as a family project or for schools, either as a one student per canoe project, or as a group effort.  Canoes to this design have been built by Year 10 students from Great Lakes College and Bulahdelah Central School, and by 12 to 70 year olds at Camp Creative, Bellingen.  The Bellinger requires two (2) sheets of 4mm BB Face in either Marine or Exterior plywood which means you can usually obtain your ply from your local hardware store.  If you want a Clear finish or minimum weight we recommend using Gaboon Marine Plywood which has a good finish to both sides.
 

The Bellinger canoe is built from plans that are then set out onto each sheet of ply, once marked out & cut out the builder has three (3) templates which are simply traced around to form the other seven (7) panels.  Only hand tools & a cordless drill are required, though a sander makes quick work of the final sanding & finishing.
The ‘Bellinger’ plans are available in two versions;-
Length – 4.2 metres (14 Feet)  -  Shortened Version  - 3.6 metres (12 Feet)
Beam -    750mm (2’ 5”)  -  Shortened Version  - 700mm (2’ 3”)
Weight -  Approx. 20.0kg – in Tropical Hardwood Marine Ply or 18 kg in Gaboon Plywood
Cost - Plans & Instructions - $50.00. / Construction Kit -  Bote Cote, Filler, etc as per Materials List - $295.00
Note:-    Plywood, timber strips, Acetone & other items which are expensive to freight are not included in the Construction Kit.  We have listed them in the Materials List as they should be easy to get from your local Hardware Store.
Note:-    Paint prices are not included.  We recommend using AQUACOTE Water Based Topcoat.

The “Bellinger” Canoe Material List

The following is the Material List for items you will buy in the Construction Kit  to build your canoe.

• 2 x 4.0mm Hardwood Marine Plywood - 3 ply - A bond - B-B Veneer Grade - BS1088 2440x1220mm.
• 3 Ltr Bote-Cote Epoxy Resin Kit with Standard Hardener.

Note:  If you want a clear finish you will need to use Non Yellowing Hardener.

Note:  You should also consider painting your canoe if it is going to spend considerable time outside as Epoxy has no UV resistance.  We recommend the Aquacote Water based Topcoat Paints.  If leaving as a clear finish then Aquacote Clear over the Bote Cote.  This will be extra cost and estimated you will need 2 litres.  It is worth purchasing contrasting colours and painting the inside a different colour to the outside of the hull.
Additional items you can source locally to save transport costs include:

• 1 x roll of masking tape.
• Cardboard or plastic sheeting.
• Gunwales – 25mm x 19mm Tassie Oak, Radiata Pine or Hoop Pine – 2 x 4.3 metres long.
• Inwales – 25mm x 12mm Tassie Oak, Radiata Pine or Hoop Pine – 2 x 4.3 metres long.
• Beam Spreaders and Seat Supports – 45 x 19mm Tassie Oak, Radiata Pine or Hoop Pine – 6 metres long.
• Sandpaper in various grades.
• Disposable gloves.

Note:  We are happy to supply your plywood and most of the items listed above.  If you want us to provide all of your building gear, we are happy to provide you with a quote including freight.

PDF
Bellinger Canoe Info Sheet

Click here to Email us: Bote-Cote@optusnet.com.au