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Josh Anders

@thenaturalworkshop

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One of the trickiest parts of the build — and one of the most satisfying.

At this stage, the epoxy fillets have cured, the hull has its shape, and things are starting to feel solid — but the seams still need reinforcing.

That’s where fibreglass tape and epoxy come in.

Here’s how it goes:

🟠 Step 1 – Sand everything back. Not glamorous, but crucial for a smooth finish and solid bond.
🟠 Step 2 – Wet the seams with epoxy
🟠 Step 3 – Lay down the fibreglass tape
🟠 Step 4 – Brush over the top again to fully saturate

You’ve got to be careful here — no bubbles, no dry spots. Once cured, I fair the seams into the hull for a smooth, seamless look.

This is the point where the canoe goes from delicate to durable. It’s no longer flexible. It’s real. It could hit the water tomorrow....almost — and that’s always a good feeling.

I build these to order, fully customisable from the wood and finish to the tiniest detail.

Drop me a message if you’d like one for yourself, or just want to follow along the build process.

#WoodenCanoe
#Fibreglassing
#EpoxyWork
#BoatBuilding
#CanoeBuild
#WorkshopLife
#CustomCanoe
#MarinePlywood
#TraditionalJoinery
#BuiltNotBought
#CanoeRestoration
#StitchAndTape
#TimberToWater
#MadeInEastAnglia
#WoodworkingUK
#OutdoorCraftsmanship
#AdventureReady
#TheNaturalWorkshop
#CraftsmanshipMatters
#JoinerySkills taken in The Natural Workshop by @thenaturalworkshop

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1

a year ago

Locking the shape with epoxy — and watching it come together.

Once the copper stitches are in place and the canoe is taking shape, it’s time for the next step: epoxy fillets.

I use Sicomin filler powder for its perfect texture and wood-like colour that blends seamlessly with the marine plywood. At first, these fillets are small — about 100-150mm long — just to tack the panels together, like a “tack weld.”

The key is control:
🔹 Too runny and it won’t hold
🔹 Too thick and it won’t bond properly

Once the outside is cured, I flip the hull and repeat the process inside. I take extra time on the inside since it’s visible and I want those long fillets to be a feature.

You can see in the pictures: I tape the joints, fill them with epoxy, remove the tape — and the hull is now set, ready for the glass tape.

This is when the build starts feeling real. It’s one of my favourite parts of the process, seeing the canoe evolve from flat panels to something functional and beautiful.

If you’re into boatbuilding, custom joinery, or just appreciate traditional craftsmanship, drop me a comment or message. I’d love to chat.

#WoodenCanoe
#CanoeBuild
#StitchAndTape
#BoatBuilding
#EpoxyWork
#CraftsmanshipMatters
#BoatbuilderLife
#WoodworkUK
#JoineryLife
#OutdoorCraft
#MarinePlywood
#MadeByHand
#TraditionalCraft
#TheNaturalWorkshop
#PaddleYourOwn
#CustomCanoe
#WoodenBoatBuilding
#CanoeRestoration
#TimberToWater
#AdventureCraft taken in The Natural Workshop by @thenaturalworkshop

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a year ago

How do you turn flat plywood into a canoe? Here's the process, start to float.

🪵 Step 1 – Butt joints & panels
Each piece of the canoe starts as a flat panel of marine plywood. I join the full-length hull sections using butt joints, reinforced with waterproof glue and bronze nails.

🧵 Step 2 – Stitching
Holes are drilled every 6–9 inches along each panel (closer together where there are tight curves). Then, soft copper wire is threaded through and twisted to “stitch” the panels together.

📐 Step 3 – Shaping
The real magic happens here. By gently tightening the stitches and using temporary forms, I pull the canoe into its final shape — adjusting as needed to ensure symmetry and smooth curves.

🪚 Step 4 – Locking it in
Once everything looks right, I tape the seams with fibreglass and seal it with epoxy. The copper wire can be clipped or left in, depending on the finish.

From a pile of flat timber to a fully formed hull — this method still amazes me every time.

🛶 I still build these to order — with full custom options on wood, finish, colours, names, even engraved nameplates.

Thinking about your own canoe?
Drop me a message and we’ll talk builds. taken in The Natural Workshop by @thenaturalworkshop

8

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a year ago

Tell me...what makes an awesome Bushcraft, Camping and Fishing Canoe?

Is it the paint job? The size? Price? The weight capacity? Is it that it tracks smooth and straight on the water or is the maneuverability the most important thing?

Is it all of them or none of them?

Would genuinely love to hear from anyone with a slight, even tiny opinion or idea on the subject!

#canoe #bushcraft #fishing taken in March, Cambridgeshire by @thenaturalworkshop

26

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2 years ago

By far, this is still one of my favourite all time project.

The sneeky beaky, bushcraft/fishing canoe (also amazing for a little stealth camping here and there 😉)👀

Not sure if it was the canoe build or the camo paint job which I enjoyed doing more but I certainly love doing it!

What do you think?

#camo #canoe #camocanoe #canoefishing #fishingcanoe #fishingclub #fishinglife #CamoWatercraft
#CamoOnTheLake #fishingtrip #CamoLife
#fishingaddict #cambridgeshire
#bushcraft #stealthcamp taken in River Nene by @thenaturalworkshop

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2 years ago

Second coat is looking better!

For those of you that didn't realise, we are looking to introduce not only a whole range of colours, but a range of different designs!

On that...which one would you choose for your canoe?

#canoe #canadiancanoe #canoefishing #canoebuilder #canoemaking #CanoeBuildingProcess #canoes #boatbuilder #BoatBuildingLife #BoatingCommunity #Canoebuilding #CanoeDesign #Canoekit taken in The Natural Workshop by @thenaturalworkshop

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2 years ago

Two Questions...

Which one is your favourite and What do you think Im up to?

#painting #panels #delux #zinnser #bedec #tradie #P&D #paintcolours #sampleboard #paintsamples #allthecolours #carpentry #woodwork #makers #makersuk taken in The Natural Workshop by @thenaturalworkshop

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2 years ago

Have you ever wanted to own your very own, handmade, wooden canoe?

There are a few wooden canoes out there on the market but I genuinely believe that ours are head and shoulders above the others.

All of the designs used are built on licence from a life long naval architect to ensure that they are safe, track true and paddle beautifully.

We can customise the canoes to your specific needs and wants, colours, seats, we can even build you a custom paddle!

We are currently taking orders for the 2024 season so make sure to drop us a DM and have a chat with us about what we can do for you!

#canoebuilder #britishmade #madeintheuk #britishmanufacturing #CanoesOfInstagram #canoemaker #canoebuilding #canoefishing #canadiancanoe #fishing #carpfishing #bassfishing #Cambridge #ely #hemmingford #hemmingfordgrey #huntingdon taken in March, Cambridgeshire by @thenaturalworkshop

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2 years ago

Anyone else looking forward to the spring and summer? I can't wait for the warmer weather to start kicking in, it's gonna be an amazing season I think....what do you think?

#canoe #canoebuilder #canoemaker #CanoesOfInstagram #CanoeJourney #Canadiancanoe taken in March, Cambridgeshire by @thenaturalworkshop

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2 years ago

We had a great time this weekend looking for some new spots to put the canoes in, look at this!

Peaceful, somewhere to park and zero people...cant get much nicer than that!

#Northnorfolk #Norfolk #gopaddling #Britishcanoeing #CanoesOfInstagram #canoebuilding #canoebuilder by @thenaturalworkshop

3

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3 years ago

Found this awesome spot, not far from a disused mill and on the route between Dereham & Norwich, what do you think?

Almost good enough for a stealth camp I reckon....almost 😉

#canoebuilding #canoebuilder #riverswimming #Dereham #Norwich #northnorfolk #stealthcamp #camping taken in Norfolk by @thenaturalworkshop

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3 years ago

A trip out this avo looking for spots to drop the canoes in this fall / winter and couldn't resist a quick beer @thefoxatlyng

Found some awesome little spots, even found a few wild swimming spots that I never knew about. North Norfolk is awesome!

Awesome hoodies @hr4k_ apparently @shelelener is never taking hers off lol.

#canoe #canoeing #paddling #hoodie #bajahoodie #hr4k #bushcraft #fishing #canoefishing #riverswimming #Saturday #beer #beerstagram #northnorfolk #lyng #thefoxatlyng taken in GVH Hospitality Ltd Follow The Lodge by @thenaturalworkshop

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3 years ago