Canoe Cradles

 Half way through building your canoe, you'll need a pair of sturdy canoe cradles. After laminating the exterior, the hull is stable. Remove the building forms and rest the canoe right side up in cradles to sand and laminate the interior. (Click image for canoe cradle plans)

 We use this canoe cradle for building and repairs at the St Paul shop. Any handy guy or gal can knock a set together in an afternoon with three eight foot 2x6's and hand tools.

This design allows turning the hull eye-to-the-sky or bottom's up. The rope 'n peg adjustment lets you position the hull at a comfortable working height either way. Vary the width of the cross member and you can build cradles for a kayak or freighter canoe.

Build canoe cradles at the start, make it part of your set-up process along with the strongback and cutting forms.