Pat Frenette and George Okon are seen setting up the station molds in preparation for the project to begin.

Getting the molds set up "just right" takes time.

This project began in late January 2005 with John learning to master a simple hand tool-the spoke shave.

I’m measuring the bow and stern inner stems to mark my cutting line. The shop light is making my hair look grey!!

Here I am shaping the stern inner stem with a spoke shave. I need to carefully remove a half inch of wood to prepare the stem for the cedar strips.

At last we start with the cedar strips. Check out those kneepads.

I’ve just added the accent srip, which is a 5-piece laminate.

Helping hands. A long day bought her a dinner. Thanks darling!!

It’s starting to look like a canoe

A look from the bow. The clamps are holding the bow inner stem

Shaaron’s having fun!!!

Supervising my helper

After completing the sides of the canoe above the water with a light cedar we have now started the bottom of the canoe with a darker grade of cedar.

I'm closing over one side of the canoe and then I will cut the straight line down the middle and fill in the opposite side with boards that were matched and set aside

I'm adding the last few strips on the sides that will later be cut to follow the sheer line of the canoe

Using a very sharp chisel I am cutting the mid line for the canoe that follows the natural keel

The rough cut is now being cleaned up and prepared for the final boards needed to close the bottom

Using the chisel I am making a sharp angled cut in one of the boards that will be fitted into the bottom.