The result of about two
weeks of trial and error brought about this boat.
This boat is made from a paper-based composite called TPG. TPG is an acronym for Taylor-Paper-Glass invented by Molt Taylor and Jerry Holcomb. The boat was designed Jacques Mertens and is freely given at wesite noted below . Mr. Mertens plans should be dowloaded and studied before starting on this project. What I offer is a chance to use a truly modern material to construct this boat. The boat itself is known as a pirogue in the Louisiana bayou country and as a duck boat farther up the Mississippi river. The origin of the pirogue is French and there a few designs that have been produced in France over the centuries. The pirogue as we know it in Louisiana is a canoe that was originally made from hollowing out a log. The pirogue, from the begining, has been the major form of transportation in the bayous and marshes of Louisiana and its current evolution is a favorite of hunters, trappers and fishermen to this day. This particular design is about 14' long and is more canoe-like. The pirogue in this part of the country has evolved a bit wider in beam. The width of the boat was determined by the width of the paper the plans are printed on and a bit lower seat is recommended for a better balance. The plans are printed full size on Kraft paper. Kraft paper is sometimes called wrapping paper and is brown in color.
The plans become the center of a fiberglass-paper-fiberglass sandwich or composite. The resin used is Polyester and is the cheapest type available. The fiberglass is four-ounce fiberglass cloth. The construction process is a simple stitch-and-glue process used in making boats, canoes and kayaks the world over. The stitch-and-glue process is not only simple to use but gives a wonderful result in a very short time.
The boat in the pictures is the prototype and has been put through the mill. It's been kicked, run over rocks and logs, dragged over concrete and been abused to test the material and integrity of the build. I over built it, which added weight but not more strength. The build instructions discuss what I have found by testing, consideration and some very good advice from fiberglass fabricators and the designer, Mr. Mertens.
I'd like to offer you the experience of building this very simple boat to simply enjoy or put to work. What you get is an established design that has been built by thousands of people all over the world. Mr. Mertens' plans printed full size on the paper that becomes the boat. You'll find all the important places marked on the plans and are readable through the fiberglass for a very easy build with fewer mistakes. All the measurements are made for you. There is no lofting involved. The plans and instructions come to you rolled up in a package that’s about three inches in diameter and twenty-four inches long. All you add to the project is fiberglass, resin (Polyester or Epoxy), time and the space to build it. When the fiberglass has set up, just take a pair of shears and cut out the pieces and follow the instructions.
I'm not going to get rich on the plans and instructions. That's not the point. I'd like to introduce as many people as posible to TPG as an alternative material to plywood. I've built the boat. It's the first one I'd ever built, so, if I can do it, you can do it. With the help of the instructions and the full size plans, you'll be able to produce the Christian` Paper Pirogue Project with ease. I've made all the mistakes so you don't have to and you have the option of other materials. No matter what material you use TPG, wood or Styrofoam sheet insulation (the pink or blue stuff) you'll have a boat that's fun to use and easy to transport on the top of your car, in the bed of your pick-up or in your other boat. It's light enough for easy portage. Mine was heavy at 35 pounds which really isn't too bad for a boat that approaches fourteen feet. It can be built to come in at about 27 pounds and retain every bit of strength to give years of service with normal care.
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