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Thread: Building a pirogue

  1. #1
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    Default Building a pirogue

    Trying to decide between the uncle johns pirogue plans or the cajun secret plans. The kicker is the UJ is supposedly 35-45 lbs while the CS is 68 lbs on their website. I value stability over weight and was wondering if anyone on here might have experience with either of these, or even another set of plans that they would or wouldn't recommend.

    The CS beam is 36" and the UJ is 31". Obviously a difference, but it's also over 20 lbs heavier at minimum.

    Uncle Johns: http://www.unclejohns.com/boat/

    Cajun Secret: https://www.cajunsecret.com/



    Any thoughts or input is appreciated.

  2. #2
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    Default

    Looks like a fun project.

  3. #3
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    Great little boats! My first was an Uncle John's. I've built a couple of pirogues and mud boats. Layering with fiberglass cloth and resin adds a lot of weight no matter what plan you use.

    Here's a free plan to check out too..
    https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/...801pirogue.pdf
    Listen to your elders. Not because they are always right but because they have more experiences of being wrong.

    "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give" Sir Winston Churchill

  4. #4
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    Just finished one with Uncle John's plans. Turned out pretty good and not too difficult. 20190803_173641.jpg

  5. #5
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    It is probably between 50 and 55 lbs. Probably could have been a little lighter on epoxy and cloth in a couple areas with no issues

  6. #6
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    I've never bought marine plywood before. The only plywood I've ever bought came in 4 x 8 sheets. Can you purchase marine plywood and sheets longer than 8 foot?

  7. #7
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    According to Uncle John's you don't need marine plywood (debatable of course). 4x8 sheets are fine, just scarf together two pieces to achieve required length.

  8. #8
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    I'll sell you mine for $200.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by cajunwannabe View Post
    Great little boats! My first was an Uncle John's. I've built a couple of pirogues and mud boats. Layering with fiberglass cloth and resin adds a lot of weight no matter what plan you use.

    Here's a free plan to check out too..
    https://www.lsuagcenter.com/~/media/...801pirogue.pdf
    Thanks for the link. Yeah that's what I've heard about the fiberglass and resin adding weight. I think I read somewhere that the cajun secret doesn't call for fiberglass so that might push me that way.

    Quote Originally Posted by Chasbeau1 View Post
    It is probably between 50 and 55 lbs. Probably could have been a little lighter on epoxy and cloth in a couple areas with no issues
    Yours looks great, I think I'm going to paint in Natgear too, but probably the black version. How's it do in the water?

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tugted312 View Post
    I'll sell you mine for $200.
    Thanks for the offer but I'm looking to build it myself for the experience. If I change my mind though I'll reach out to you.

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tugted312 View Post
    I'll sell you mine for $200.
    A Chapman?
    Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him

    He ain't wrong, he's just different, and his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right

    They don't put Championship rings on smooth hands

  12. #12
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    What's so special about the Chapman's?

  13. #13
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    Cheaper to buy a Chapman than build it yourself. They are lighter also.

  14. #14
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    anyone ever build one foam core with epoxy instead of wood?

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by trkykilr View Post
    A Chapman?
    Nope homemade

  16. #16
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    I've been thinking about doing this, trying to finish my high tide project first. Let me know if you decide to try it

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chasbeau1 View Post
    Cheaper to buy a Chapman than build it yourself. They are lighter also.
    If I remember correctly, the Cottonmouth was a little over $400 for the boat. Then he said it'd be a little over $100 to ship here. I see no way to spend more building one than buying one unless I'm really missing something? Both plans I'm looking at claim build costs of $125-$250 depending on quality of materials. I expect if using fiberglass and epoxy it could be over, but not by that much.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chasbeau1 View Post
    Cheaper to buy a Chapman than build it yourself. They are lighter also.
    False
    Quote Originally Posted by walt4dun View Post
    Monsters... Be damned if I'd ever be taken alive by the likes of faggot musslims.
    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    I am an equal opportunity hater.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chasbeau1 View Post
    Cheaper to buy a Chapman than build it yourself. They are lighter also.
    Lighter but not cheaper
    Quote Originally Posted by walt4dun View Post
    Monsters... Be damned if I'd ever be taken alive by the likes of faggot musslims.
    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    I am an equal opportunity hater.

  20. #20
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    I have two Chapman's but the ones that friends of.mi e built are hard to beat. I forget the name of the plans they used but I'm pretty sure they came with the ribs.
    Quote Originally Posted by walt4dun View Post
    Monsters... Be damned if I'd ever be taken alive by the likes of faggot musslims.
    Quote Originally Posted by 2thDoc View Post
    I am an equal opportunity hater.

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