Chestnut Chum Revisioned as the Lynx
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The Chestnut Chum canoe is one of the classic canoes when you ask about old canvas and wood canoes. Paddlers respected it for it’s ability to carry lots of gear and still remain stable. The Chum struck a chord with canoeists looking for day tripping boat as well as an extended trips.
Several years ago, I worked with a paddler who wanted to build the Omer Stringer version of the canoe. According to Wooden Canoe Issue 25, the differences were this:
Omer’s canoe is also unique. He began with a 15-foot Chestnut Chum, built in New Brunswick. When it was under construction, he asked that the cedar plank-and-rib shell be left without inwales, thereby allowing him to vary the sheer line after the shell was removed from the form. He then increased the depth of the canoe to 15 inches and reduced the bow height by 1-1/2 inches. With weights, he rounded out the ribs in the center of the canoe slightly. This rounding produced a canoe that was deeper and a bit more tender and maneuverable than the original Chum.
We worked for several weeks sending back and forth revisions until he was happy with the results. While I don’t think we ended up with as round as Omer’s canoe was, it looked like a great compromise between stability and maneuverability. We also added tumblehome to make it easier to paddle for a solo canoeist.
In the end, he never built it. A paddle-making company took up the build. They started the canoe, but when other opportunities arose they put the canoe build on the backburner.
It never got built.
Would anyone be interested in building this semi-tested design? If so, I can add it to the free and paid plan downloads? Thoughts?
Here’s a video of Omer Stringer paddling.
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11 Comments
David
Sounds interesting, and yes I would be interested in doing a build this coming winter. Hope you’ll add it to the free plans!
David
Bump! :o)!!
Emily
I’ve been looking for a nice project, and this looks like a nice project
Terry
Been trying to find plans for a solo tripping canoe and your description sounds like what I need. I don’t know how old this post is but would like more info if possible.
Bryan Hansel
This is pretty old now. It still hasn’t been built. I have no idea how it will perform. There are proven designs out there like Bear Mountains Freedom Solo and the Greenval Kite. If this is an experiment that you are willing to make, I can get you the drawings.
Paul Handelman
Bryan. I am lookin for CAD compatible CNC files to cut the molds to build myself a canoe like this Chesnutt chum to use on the lakes and ponds where I live in Montana. Any advise or direction as to where I can find them/buy them/look for them would be HUGELY appreciated. A business partner in W Oklahoma has the CNC and is planning on cutting them for me.
Bryan Hansel
I wouldn’t know where to find CAD compatible CNC files. I’m not sure what that would include.
Hugh Johnston
Doing a little homework on this one. When looking at the chum https://www.freerangercanoe.com/chum-solo-tripping-canoe/
Like the idea of taking the height up to 15 inches. Love lowering the bow ends too, even a bit more than 1 and 1/2 if the sheer line works.
Am thinking of building a skin on frame version as I weigh in the range of 220 to 250 – take weight out of the boat to make up for weight in the paddler.
Have long arms and trunk, a bit shorter legs than an average 6 foot 1, and wonder if less tumble home would work fine for reach as well as working better with shrinking Dacron. Was planning to use amsteel strands unbraided instead of Kevlar for cross bracing overtop of the stringers and ribs.
Anyhow, would love to see the plans and see what it might look like to build.
Bryan Hansel
If you want to build this, I’ll send over some plans. It haven’t been built, so who knows how it will paddle.
David Elias
Hi Bryan,
I’m a cabinet maker living in Twickenham (UK) on the river Thames…. I’ve always wanted to build a strip canoe…. but never quite got round to it! This looks like a great project and I’d love to give it a try.
I’d be really grateful if you’d be kind enough to send me a set of the plans please.
It goes without saying that I’d keep you updated on my progress and send pics.
Many thanks in advance and best regards,
David
Bryan Hansel
If this is your first canoe, you may want to go with a proven design instead of this unproven and untested design.