Question For The Canoe Folks

[Classic Finn]

Dear friends,

I found a rare piece of work here in Finland...And thought to ask about it.
I know there are a few Canoe Folks on the board ... but cant remember
who they are..

Well we found a nicely made REDBIRD Canoe by Ted Moore Plans
in my home City...which is about 2 hours away...the gentleman who made it is a boat and yacht maker by profession....

He has used it 2 times in the past few years...We had asked him to help us start a canoe ... but he doesnt have time at the moment due to being
fully booked till next year.. soooo he is willing to sell the Redbird for 1300
to 1500 Euro which is between 1500 - 1700usd.. He states its only a lil dusty but looking like new otherwise...If he would build us one he would charge anywhere from 3400 - 4000 Euro so twice as much..

Does anyone know the characteristics of the Redbird Canoe as far as handeling? And would it be for folks who havent canoed much?Is it a stable canoe?

Dont know what these would cost there in the USA but Im sure expensive.
And now we have a possibility to get one not far away...

To me the price sounds reasonable....



Classic Finn

PS Its a 17 foot Canoe..There in the photos is the Canoe and the Builder

Here is the website for his company....even though only in Finnish Language but the photos are International..

There is also a nice 50,s boat he,s restored....
http://www.venejari.net/puuseppa.html

[Spadinator]

My Dad has been looking at purchasing a canoe lately since he retired. The wooden ones we have looked at were any where between $1000-3000 usd. I think the price he quoted you is very fair. The fiberglass ones were between $250- $1000 usd.

[Chris C]

Used to do some canoeing with the Oklahoma Canoe Club, but not knowledgeable enough to answer all your questions...............but it does seem like a nice canoe and a very reasonable price if it is well built.

[Guest]

Heikki,
A Redbird, eh?

Here's an earlier construction shot of my Redbird...


I've just about got the stems covered with my stripping, but this project is on hold until the teardrop is finished.
I looked at just about every type and model out there and the Redbird was what I settled on.
It is a very fast, seaworthy canoe.
I've read a few posts on the Bear Mountain Boats website, from builders claiming it was tippy.
They were advised to use it a bit more often.
Let me ask you this...
Do you want a canoe that feels stable now, but then feels like a barge later on?...
Or would you want a canoe that may feel a bit unstable at first, but then feels like a dream later on?...
You won't find a nicer canoe than a Redbird.
Be sure to ask the builder if he made any mods to the design, or followed the plans as drawn.
Here's a link to the forum on Ted Moore's website...
http://www.bearmountainboats.com/phpbb2/index.php
You'll be able to get all your questions and concerns addressed there.
You can also read all the specs about the Redbird too.
OH... If you have any concerns about the Redbird's characteristics... I'm making provisions for mine to be a sailing canoe, for times I don't feel like paddling.
Got an awesome sail for it... just setting there trying to be patient for the day it goes into use, crying out to catch some wind.
I know Glen Smith has probably just about given up on me, waiting to get this project done, but he does pop in here from time to time to see if I'm still kickin'... He'd be a good one to ask about the Redbird.
He hasn't built one, but he's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to canoe and kayak designs.

[Classic Finn]

Used to do some canoeing with the Oklahoma Canoe Club, but not knowledgeable enough to answer all your questions...............but it does seem like a nice canoe and a very reasonable price if it is well built.

Hi Chris

I have to go take a look at it but he is a longtime boat builder... so I would think the canoe is well made and great craftsmanship...

He,s going to send me some more photos too... There in the USA and Canada these are found all over but here in our small country it is a rare
find as more and more folks are using uretahne and kevlar...or heavy urethane... so this would really be a head turner with our teardrop together....Here you just dont find these kind of canoes everyday..
as this was not advertised anywhere

It was a total surprise find.. - He just asked if Id be interested since he dont have time at all to enjoy it...sooooo..

hmmmmmm a USA Canoe and Teardrop - What a Combo...

Classic Finn

[Guest]

Heikki,
The Redbird is all Canadian.
Why haven't you bought it yet?... GET GOING!!! :lol:

[Classic Finn]

Heikki,
A Redbird, eh?

Here's an earlier construction shot of my Redbird...


I've just about got the stems covered with my stripping, but this project is on hold until the teardrop is finished.
I looked at just about every type and model out there and the Redbird was what I settled on.
It is a very fast, seaworthy canoe.
I've read a few posts on the Bear Mountain Boats website, from builders claiming it was tippy.
They were advised to use it a bit more often.
Let me ask you this...
Do you want a canoe that feels stable now, but then feels like a barge later on?...
Or would you want a canoe that may feel a bit unstable at first, but then feels like a dream later on?...
You won't find a nicer canoe than a Redbird.
Be sure to ask the builder if he made any mods to the design, or followed the plans as drawn.
Here's a link to the forum on Ted Moore's website...
http://www.bearmountainboats.com/phpbb2/index.php
You'll be able to get all your questions and concerns addressed there.
You can also read all the specs about the Redbird too.
OH... If you have any concerns about the Redbird's characteristics... I'm making provisions for mine to be a sailing canoe, for times I don't feel like paddling.
Got an awesome sail for it... just setting there trying to be patient for the day it goes into use, crying out to catch some wind.

Ok thats who had the Redbird... Man I must have a case of CRS...

Dean this Redbird is nothing as beautiful as yours but its a Redbird....
And as I mentioned ... you just dont find these here everyday...
I may just go ahead and buy it... and try it for the summer and if Im really enjoying canoeing ... then I could spend time learning and enjoying
in this one....and then build one ...


What do you think?

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Heikki,
The Redbird is all Canadian.
Why haven't you bought it yet?... GET GOING!!! :lol:

Ok With your approval Dean ..... This is going to be fun....Honey.... can I ... ahhh never mind I have Deans approval....
Teardrop and Canoe.... YES

Dean I,ll share some pics of it as soon as he sends them to me...

Classic Finn

PS - 2 more weeks and my teardrop parts should be here....

[Guest]

Better get Suvi's blessings first.
I don't think you'd appreciate having me for a roomate as much as you do her.

[Classic Finn]

Better get Suvi's blessings first.
I don't think you'd appreciate having me for a roomate as much as you do her.

Dean

She just said that .... Well youve always wanted one of them so now here
is your chance ... and not a repeated possibility from Finland. About as close to an Indian Canoe than ever
right in our own back field....

Ahhh lovely wife - she is....

Classic Finn

[Chris C]

Obviously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (or have you drugged her?)

[Ira]

Dean, what would your recommendation be for an INEXPENSIVE mass-produced fiberglass/other canoe that can fit in an 8' long truck bed, and with gate down that means 10'?

Again, something inexpensive and light. Two-man.

Except it's for me and my younger son, which together weigh up and measure up to one normal man.

A Coleman?

[Classic Finn]

Obviously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (or have you drugged her?)

Chris

there is always a catch .... from the wife included sooner or later....


Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Dean, what would your recommendation be for an INEXPENSIVE mass-produced fiberglass/other canoe that can fit in an 8' long truck bed, and with gate down that means 10'?

Again, something inexpensive and light. Two-man.

Except it's for me and my younger son, which together weigh up and measure up to one normal man.

A Coleman?

Ira
Have Dean build one for you......

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Hmmm

The redbird has a stability factor of 92 which means requires skill but with experience will be comfortable - ok so its practice and more practice... and Optimum capacity of 280 - 510lbs.

Ok that explains the situation...

Classic Finn