the eureka build

My close friend and work colleague Peter Novak is also a keen woodworker. He particularly enjoys making boat models. At the end of 2007 Peter started to talk about building real boats. Although I was a little sceptical about our ability to build anything that could float, Peter researched our options and decided to build a Eureka canoe.

The Eureka is designed by Michael Storer from Adelaide in South Australia. It is built using the 'Stitch and Glue' method - according to the great detailed plans provided by Michael (Peter bought the plans from the Duck Flat Wooden Boats website for A$90), you cut out five sections of the boat from marine plywood. Four parts are glued together with epoxy into two long sections using butt strap joints. The three long sections are then "stitched" together using wire. Once the basic frame of the boat is together, the joints are secured with fibreglass tape. The panels are coated in epoxy to seal the wood from the water.

I was able to help Peter in these initial stages of the build (however I had to return to Sydney for 6 months so I missed the second half of the project). It was a great introduction to modern boat building and very easy to do. For further information on building a Eureka canoe, you can visit Peter's blog (written in Slovene) or a very informative site by Peter Hyndman.

When I return to Slovenia (mid-June 2008), I hope to get into a few boating projects with Peter. I am unsure what we will start with - maybe my own Eureka to travel with Peter, or another Storer design. I will share my boating and woodworking dreams another time.

Peter's Eureka Canoe