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I began construction of Fanny in January, 1998. I figured that a 6 hour canoe would be a good starter project for a boat construction neophyte who is a wood butcher. So, after some searching and some email correspondence with one of the authors, I found the book "Building the 6-Hour Canoe" at the Adventurous Traveler Bookstore website. The book, which includes the plans, is available from other sources as well including Great Outdoor Reading & Provisions, Hamilton Marine and Bill Bartoo, the aforementioned author.
The book is an excellent guide to building this Mike O'Brien design. Readers of WoodenBoat magazine will recognize this name. The book contains building instructions and suggestions for community projects based on boat building.
I built Fanny out of 2 sheets of 8'X4' Luan plywood, fir framing lumber, fir chines and mahogany gunwales. I looked into the price of a 16' sheet of marine plywood and after I regained consciousness, I decided to build it on the cheap and use Luan. I encased the entire boat in epoxy to compensate for the lower grade plywood.
I altered the plan a little; I increased the beam a few inches. This had the effect of making the boat quite stable, but it also increased the rocker. Increased rocker means that it turns a bit quicker than the original, but doesn't track as well.
I want to thank my father, Fred Clarke, for the use of his garage and his extrememly valuable help. An expert with tools and construction techniques, my father made the task of building my first boat much easier. I doubt the boat would be in the water if it weren't for him. THANKS DAD!
Click on a thumbnail below to see the full size construction photo with commentary.
FANNY HITS THE WATER! July 19/1998
The boat is named Fanny in honor of the fact that the design name is a bit misleading. She is not a complex boat to build, and a novice using two 4X8 sheets can, as I did, construct her in about 20 hours. (this includes finishing) To do it in 6 hours (no finishing) would require experience and a 4X16 sheet. Hence the name; "Six Hours my Fanny!"
I want to thank Ginger Shaw and Bill Forster for letting me use their garage for "Fanny Storage." The unsealed canoe spent a healthy part of winter languishing in their garage, waiting for the weather to break so that I could seal the hull. THANKS GUYS! FREE BOAT RIDES FOR EVERYBODY!!
Click on a thumbnail below to see a full size photo with commentary of the official launch of the good ship "Fanny."
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© 1998 Brad Clarke - Last Updated 5/20/02