Canoe with a View : : Canadian Open Canoe forum

Well ain't it been quiet on the forum this weekend? I've actually spent most of the time away from the computer. Blimey!!

Set myself the task of building my very own wanigan. Not having any woodworking skills whatsoever, and it'll probably show. The task is more challenging than I first anticipated.

Heres a few pictures of how things are progressing. Not a build blog because I have got too wrapped up in the build to take photos




Although not the best woodworking you're likely to see, but I am enjoying every minute of doing it.

More to follow.

Nige, have you worked out how you are going to carry it? I had to stick a strap on mine to get it in / out of the canoe and also to lug it on a portage/camp site.
Will need to take a peek at it next time we're out...cus...I want one!
Lookin good.

Cheers
Tim

I have planned a couple of rope handles, one either side. If all goes well it should lift straight up and out. I do have a hernia truss on standby! Lol.

The lid, this will be my piece da resistance! It is planned to have a 50/50 split lid. One side will open 180° to offer a work surface while also allowing access to wanigan. Well in theory anyway.

Nice piece of work Nige...

It does look a bit BIG tho'....

I have problems lifting my Wikes toolbox out of my boat sometimes, and it's a LOT smaller than that...

Could you split it...

So you have two wannigans....

Cheers
Red..

(18-10-09 09:10 PM)redframe Wrote: [ -> ]I have problems lifting my Wikes toolbox out of my boat sometimes, and it's a LOT smaller than that...


Cheers
Red..

I have a snap-on tool chest in the garage, now that's heavy.

Nige, I would think about fitting a sling, maybe attached to the rope handles?

Cheers
Tim

Must agree about the size, hopefully the slanted ends will aid dragging it from the boat, once out should be manageable. No more cumbersome than a couple of loaded barrels and I've felt the weight of some of those carried.

Should get most of everything I'll need to set up camp and cook in, with dry clothing and such in a separate drybag!

Hi Nige, don't mean to teach any one to suck eggs but in my experiance the item/s should be able to be lifted from the boat with one hand, ie a sling, think of a portage when the river/canal bank is high and vertical.
Not being negative, just tryin to help.

Cheers
Tim

Tim I'm always up for a bit of help. I am taking on board all comments.

It is the first attempt and no doubt will have to go through a few changes along the way.

can you tell im feeling controversial today?
i use a plastic tool box cost 20 quid

just realsied having said that i have used my home made campfire tent this weekend and im sure it would have been cheaper to buy something similar
guess im just jelous of those who can make their own stuff from wood

My wanigan project has taken another step forward towards completion today. The other side now on and the top frame pieces added to provide support for the lid. Rough edges around the top have now been trimmed down level with the frame and sanded smooth.


A large Kelly added to give a better idea of size.

lookin good Nige, are you gonna stain it or let it mature?
other thing is how are you gonna seal it, oil or varnish?

cheers
Tim

I haven't decided yet whether to varnish or oil. I do want it to sort of look like it belongs with the canoe so I think I'll end up varnishing the exterior at least. I might thin down the varnish with white spirit for the first coat so it soaks in better.

Save yer off-cuts and Oil, Stain, Varnish as you go along...see what they look like by the time you're ready to treat it....

Cheers
Red.

You could always let "Big Bear" loose with a piece of wood for Pyrography.....?

Good idea Red. There's certainly plenty of off-cuts.

I've re-worked the old adage of measure twice cut once...

...it now goes.

Measure once, cut once, oh b ks!

I'm not sure that it will be that hydrodynamic to paddle, but it does look like the canine danglers

Nice job Nige