OT/Canoe - & Maureen

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The Wee Lassie was designed by someone in the 1800s, as a canoe that could easily navigate narrow channels in the streams of the eastern USA. The design I'm using was conceived by "Mac" McCarthy, of the Featherweight Boatbuilding school. See http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0937822396/103-0015744-3803009?v=glance & n=283155 for the book. The WLII is designed for someone with more august proportions (like > 150 lbs).The WLII is 13'6", just right for the back of my pickup, and a lot easier to handle than a two place canoe. Haven't looked for catfish, but I do find my share of large and small-mouth bass!

Judy finished caning the seat yesterday. I just have to install the seat, epoxy the gunwales and put a coat of varnish on it. I named it Gookooko'oo - the Ojibwe name for owl (I think the bow deck looks a little like an owl). I put the name on it today, along with a representation of a petroglyph of an owl.

http://www.myrabo.com/k-canoe/weelassie/images/wl071906-1.JPG is the latest picture of it. The whole build story (almost) is available at http://www.myrabo.com/k-canoe/wlii.htm

Here's the background on the petroglyph:(http://www.owlpages.com/articles.php?section=Owl+Mythology & title=Myth+and+Culture & page=2)

This petroglyph, the 'Spedis Owl' was salvaged from along the Columbia River just before The Dalles Dam flooded the area in 1956. This carving is on display at Horsethief Lake State Park, Washington.According to an Indian legend, the 'Spedis Owl' carving was placed on a rock to serve as a protector from the 'water devils' and monsters that could pull a person into the water. The owl on a rock may have also indicated the ownership of that location for fishing.

It's been a lot of fun - almost complete now!

Arne 55 - UC 1977, PSC 2000 Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota