Most years, you have to travel to the East Coast to build a wood canvas canoe with master canoe-builder Jerry Stelmok of Island Falls Canoes, who has literally written the book on history of the craft. However, in 2016, Jerry will take up residence in the North House boatshop for two weeks to build these beautiful vessels with up to three students, who will no doubt go on to have myriad adventures in their hand-built boats. From steam-bending ribs to stretching and filling canvas, you and a partner (or two!) will be fully immersed in the building process under Jerry’s careful guidance. Participants generally build the 17’6” Atkinson Traveler, but the 16'6" Otter or Lutre models are possibilities as well. Canoes are built, canvassed and filled during the class and then taken home, painted and varnished – and will provide many years of pleasure on the water. Many hands make work light, and students should plan to bring a partner (or two!) to help…this can be a great family project that will result in a lifetime of memories.

You will need the following tools for this class:

dust mask* eye/ear protection* small hammer utility knife * available for purchase @ North House School Store 888-387-9762

tack puller favorite hand tools/small planes clinching iron (available from Rollin Thurlow at the Northwoods Canoe Company in Maine, online) hand/power/electric screwdrivers 1/2 sheet orbital sander