Making the stem form

I used my laser level on a tripod to plot points on the wall to copy the contour of the stern stem. The bow stem is gone and I have to assume the contour is the same.  I set up the canoe parallel to the wall and level. I put the level on a small table with wheels, butted up against the big table under the canoe and used this arrangement to keep the laser beam perpendicular to the wall.

After I cut the curve in the cardboard, I checked the fit on the canoe.

I cut two pieces of 3/4" plywood to this contour, offset by an inch to allow for the thickness of the workpiece. I glued these together.

Then I cut holes to use to clamp the workpiece to the form.

Next up, a compression strap.

Canoe cradles

I made some adjustable cradles to hold the canoe while I work on it.  The slings double as straps to hang the canoe up out of the way when I'm not working on it.

I drilled a series of holes in the vertical boards, so I can put the bolt that holds the strap in any position to raise or lower the canoe.

I also took out the bow seat so I can start rebuilding it.  The aft seat I reassembled with dowels, but I'm going to mortise and tenon the frame together on this one. I'll use some more of the maple from the Schmidt farm to replace the two short side pieces.