Build the Great Wicomico canoe – no experience required!

Great Wicomico

17' x 38" / 5.18m x 96.5cm
Max. Recommended capacity – 3 adults
Weight – about 55lbs / 25kgs

A big, stable, general purpose canoe with plenty of room for the family, for fishing, hunting or for canoe camping adventures.

The Wicomico is quick, uncomplicated and inexpensive to build, a breeze to haul around on shore, and she paddles smooth, fast and easy. Windage is low, tracking is good, and she's stable enough for those who like to pole or paddle while standing. The Great Wicomico sleeps one adult- and maybe a kid - with room to spare for camping gear, so there's no need to "commando camp" on private shorelines.

Plans are written with the complete beginner in mind, and include full size templates for all the frames, stems and breasthooks. She uses about half a sheet of 12mm Okoume marine plywood, 18' of polyester cloth, half a gallon of paint or varnish, stainless steel screws, a little epoxy and a few cedar boards. The trim pieces I used on the prototype were from a downed cedar tree I literally stumbled over. The inner wood was a deep purple, and I was able to mill out a few boards from it. Unfortunately, the colors started to fade towards brown after a short while, but she still looks pretty nice to my eye.

The Wicomico is just a great canoe, and it was always fun and rewarding to paddle the prototype. She is now paddled by a family of four, and they reportedly think she's the bee's knees.

Order plans here

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