A number of additional models are also available in electronic format only on CD-R's. Our latest new model additions are the Dumoine, Shearwater, the Bering Sea, the Rob Roy, a tandem Barracuda, and the North Canoe.
This is another beautiful Winisk built by Martin Step, shown at the dam at the head of Galeairy Lake in Algonquin Park. This cedar strip canoe features a lightly stained outer hull, which gives it a subtle darker, richer finish. Most people seeing it for the first time do not immediately realize that it was stained - the trick is to not overdo it. More information on how this is done can be found here. This photo also shows off the sleek lines of this fast, quiet tripping canoe, as well as the graceful seat design, which is the perfect finishing touch for your hand built masterpiece. This seat design is a Green Valley exclusive, and can be seen in more detail here.
Our plans are suitable for the home craftsman who wants to build a fine wood-strip boat. Our computer generated plans feature full-sized detailed drawings of each Station and Stem Mould, saving you the often difficult job of laying out the forms. The drawings are loaded with tips, techniques, shortcuts, and alternatives, provided by Martin Step, a mechanical engineer, and an experienced home-builder.
Purchasers of these plans are also provided with a registered serial number, a set of designer's decals, and on-line help via e-mail from both the designer, John Winters, and from Martin Step, who prepared the drawing package.
Go to the Web Site Directory to see the Available Models, to Order Plans, the Builder's Notes including a new section on Fitting the Stern Seat, technical articles by John Winters, and all kinds of other interesting stuff, including our good friends at Hurley Canoe Company, and some new Links. If you are thinking about building one, you may be interested in looking at an excellent site posted by one of our customers, Erik van Woerkens in Belgium.
Note: most of the photos on this site
can be enlarged by clicking on them.
Looking for a good winter project for your Boy Scout Troop, Summer Camp, or charity racing event? We now have plans for the North Canoe, in both Recreational and a Racing versons. The Recreational version (above left) can be built in either the traditional Voyageur style with the high ends, or in a Modern style (above right) with low ends. Either style can be built in any length from 25 to 28 feet. At 25' these canoes have a designed displacement of 1,400 lbs. They can be configured for 6 to 10 paddlers, depending on their weight and size. These designs are symmetrical, and the plans consist of half-stations from the end to midships, on 12" centers. The entire set of plans requires the builder to have only two drawing sheets printed, with each one measuring 36" x 48" (E-size). These canoes are built with the same materials and methods as our smaller canoes, but for long-term durability, we would consider using 3/8" thick strips and 8 oz fiberglass cloth. On the other hand, the 28' Racing version is a very modern, asymmetric hull, and is designed for pure speed! North Canoe plans are ONLY offered in electronic format, on CD-R or by e-mail.
The Shape of the Canoe by John Winters, i s t h e f i r s t a n d o n l y b o o k d e d i c a t e d t o t h e d e s i g n o f s m a l l p a d d l e po w e r e d b o a t s, is now available from Green Valley Boat Works. This is a must-have for anyone thinking of designing their own canoe, or anyone who just wants to have a better understanding of why different canoes perform the way that they do. T h e S h a p e o f t h e C a n o e, in Adobe PDF format, plus a bonus of three design programs ( K A P E R , C A N T R A C , a n d B E A R B O A T) which are used by John a r e all o n o n e C D - R , f o r b o t h M a c s a n d P C ' s .
Looking for boat building books? Try our on-line Green Valley Boat Works Book Store and treat yourself today! Check out Martin's personal book selection for some timely reading.
We now accept payment by including from all the major credit cards. See our Order Page for details.
Want someone to build your Green Valley canoe or kayak for you? Then check out Hand Crafted Canoes in Kitchener, Ontario.
Have a look at the new photo of the Caspian Sea. This beautiful boat is named "Dragonfly" and it's the work of guitar maker Jim Kozel.
We have posted some new photos of a lovely pair of Tasman Sea's built by Bruce Hillstrom of Bridgewater, NS. Have a look!
If you're thinking about building one of our wood strip canoes, you might like to read the letter sent to us by Chuck Phelps of Pittsford, NY, telling us about "Rosie," his Kipawa 'stripper'! And now, we have a new letter from Chuck in which he tells us about his second and third canoes, one of which is a spectacular stretched Mattawa called "Cinnamon."
To go along with that masterpiece Osprey you're thinking of building, have a look at a very special removable Portage Yoke which was made for the most recent Green Valley Osprey. Do you think you're up to making one of these?
A new section has been added to the Builder's Notes dealing with repairs to the hull on your woodstrip canoe.
Green Valley plans and kits can also be purchased from Noah's. They accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express in either US or Canadian dollar accounts. Noah's carries an extensive inventory of everything you need for 'your ark', and you'll find their knowledgeable staff very helpful in selecting the right products to complete your project. They have everything from the strips to trim, all the power tools, and at least four brands of epoxy. Good advice and good people - give them a call!
Kits and plans for our canoes and kayaks are also available from Classic Boat Kits. Their strips can be ordered bundled together in the same position as they were in the board, with 20 strips per bundle. These kits are great time and money savers - you can even order the strongback as an option (it's the shipping box the kit comes in!).
Click on these links for a quick tour of
Noah's and
Classic.
Seat Plans are now available. Full size plans including caning directions for the seats shown above can be ordered directly from Green Valley. These seats could be just the finishing touch your project needs. See address at bottom of page. (Read some happy customers' comments about our Seat Plans.) These seats can be built for the bow, the stern, or as a slider, even for a solo canoe. Details of the laminated support in the photo are not included, but you would normally use a straight cross bar suspended on hanger bolts with wooden spacer blocks.
For some detailed instruction on Making Stems, Gunwales and Bead & Cove Strips, Staining the Hull, 'Glassing the Inside of the Hull, and Varnishing, including Martin's trademark wrap-around ends and inlays, consult the Builder's Notes. Included are such topics as the secrets of the "Hidden Hardware System", as can be seen in the seat photo above, and the "No Staple" method of strip building. The most recent additions include a section detailing a very special removeable portage yoke system for the custom built solo canoe, and a section on repairing a damaged hull. We welcome your comments.
Ever wondered what your finished cedarstrip canoe or kayak will weigh? Read John Winters' article for the answer.
Our most popular model continues to be the Kipawa, but don't overlook our other very interesting models. If you want a solo, but really need a small tandem, check out the Mattawa - I don't recall ever having seen such an overwhelmingly positive reaction to a new design. For speed demons only: the Barracuda is John Winter's latest design, and maybe the fastest non-competition solo canoe you can build. In fact, it's not even legal for racing! If you ever dreamed of a really fast tripper, you need look no further than the Cirrus. The Cirrus is also really popular for the concrete canoe builders. If you are looking for a roomy, wilderness tripping canoe for that expedition you're planning, the Quetico, may be just what you're looking for. It is a very fast, high-volume 18'4" flat water tripping canoe, and is sure to be a winner! We also offer John Winters designed kayaks, the Caspian Sea,
Tasman Sea, and the North Sea.
Our good friend Jack Hurley at Hurley Canoe in Dwight is happy to report that things are still going strong. Check out the latest addition. Even if you aren't in the market for one of their beautiful (and under-priced!) cedar canvas canoes, you should see their canoe shelves, built on the same mould as the real canoes! Once you see them, you'll want one for your home or office. Hurley Canoe specializes in canoe restorations. So, if any of you have a classic heirloom cedar canvas canoe in need of repair or total restoration, this is a perfect winter project for Jack and his crew, and you will have your canoe back by next summer as good as new.
If you can't find what you're looking for elsewhere on this web site, contact Martin Step.
