Hours of operation: Mon through Sat 10 AM to 5 PM
However, as I am a one man show, sometimes I may need to run and errand
or deliver a canoe. It is a good idea to call before you come. Call
twice, if both lines are busy...you may think we are not here!
Canoe Building
The Wood Strip Canoe Building craze started here in
Minnesota. In the 40's and 50's, Eugene Jensen, Buzzy Peterson,
The Tibit Brothers, Karl Ketter, and Tom and Phil Estes were making canoes
to race with. Always pushing the envelope in design, the result
was an advanced way of making redwood strip canoes. In
1961, when Minnesota Canoe Racers founded the Minnesota Canoe
Association (MCA), they also established a uniform spec for their
racing canoes for all races in Minnesota. This was happening at
the same time for the Quebec Racing Association, the Michigan Canoe
Racing Association. and Manitoba racing. Other states and
provinces eventually followed these states in adopting uniform
rules. All canoe racers were by this time making canoes by the
same process.
In 1965, the Minnesota Canoe Association incorporated.
In an effort to increase membership, plans by Karl L Ketter and
the 1st, AND I MEAN THE VERY 1ST "How to Build a Wood Strip Canoe" by
Karl N Ketter were released. Plans and the how to book were $5.00
each to members. Membership jumped from 300 to 2300 in less than
6 months. Within three months of release, the popular magazines,
Popular Mechanics and Illustrated Mechanics each included articles and
mail in kits for "How to build a wood strip canoe". There was
very little difference between the original version and the magazine
version. However, the plans that were drawn up for the magazines
were more like tug boats.
For those that appreciate a better design, the plans for the MCA
were made in a hurry to make the deadline for for the Hut
magazine. So, Karl L just lifted the guide model of the 1929 Old Town
canoe, filled out the ends a little and turned it around front to
back. The plans were called, to be fair, the Guide and the Explorer
Plans and instruction books have evolved and developed for a
very specialized hobby. The only real change since 1961 has been the
switch from redwood strips to western red cedar strips. Turns out even
the dryest of redwoods still had a residue pitch and created
delamination issues on occasion.
Ketter Canoeing was originally a supplier for resin and fiberglass at
discounts for MCA members. We continue to stock canoe building supplies to meet the needs of anyone from novice to expert.
Click on the above link to go to the supplies and prices, and for
extra tips on canoe building. This page is intended to be a blog
of sorts, so email in your suggestions and they will be added.
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