Derek Greenfield, 1st time Builder Creates Solo Canoe from Custom Plans

My experience with Eskimotom has been great. I had wanted to build a canoe
for years, had scoured the internet and boating magazines for designs
and one day happened upon Tom's web site.

Eureka!

Unlike the "big" companies, Tom worked with me to customize a boat to
my needs and specifications. He produced rough designs for 3 different
boats until we decided on the one right for me, my dog and my paddling style.
Once the final version was decided upon he produced a complete set of
large scale plans showing layout, lofting dimensions and other vital details.

After some (careful) work on my part his lofted planks stitched
together perfectly! It was amazing and very gratifying to have such a project
come together. One of my friends referred to the boat as a piece of
sculpture!

Tom was with me all the way via phone and email, answering questions
and offering suggestions on construction. The only frustration is that I
built the boat in December and January and now must wait for the accursed ice
to recede before I can float it!

More details and photos to follow this spring.
Derek Greenfield (March 2, 2006)

Peter's Custom Canoe

From Peter Borden:
"I've been very pleased with my wooden canoe - not just the results, but the process, too.

Beginning with the original design, the boat is made for me and for how I plan to use it. I wanted light weight, compact size and a low profile as I would be paddling mostly after work without camping gear: Tom designed a custom plan around those specs.

The result was a canoe I could never have gotten commercially (13 ft. long, with 29 in. beam), plus the beautiful look and light weight of wood. The canoe fits my body size perfectly, paddles smoothly, and is low-profile enough to handle windy conditions un-loaded.

It also has the esthetic touches I wanted: matched-grain decks, scuppered gunwales, a cane seat. All my canoeing friends are oohing and aahing at it. I tell them you can't buy it in a store - you can only get it from Eskimo Tom!"

Peter Borden
Graphic Designer
St. Thomas University, St. Paul, MN

Plans for this model are found under the canoe plans section under the name Trout Lily. Let me build one for you, or order the plans to build one yourself. The first photo was taken before final clear coating to mark the sliding seat position. The second image shows the canoe's intended purpose. Note the use of the double kayak paddle. Custom Plans for canoes or kayaks are available. ET

Click here For Eric's Annapolis Wherry Story

Click here For Julie's Kayak Story

Do you have suggestions or comments?