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09-12-2007, 10:34 AM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Coracle making.
Hi folks. I am going to having a crack at making a Coracle. And I want to make one from scratch. There are kits you can buy which use riven Ash, but i want to use cleaved Hazel and Willow.
Has anyone any experience with making a Coracle, and would my material choice hold out? Any Tips welcome or a good site that instructs on my material choice.
Regards Christian. |
09-12-2007, 01:00 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
i would have thought Yew or chestnut because they resist the water well. Chestnut is quite easy to cleave with one of those triangle thingies that i can never remember the name of!
I'm sure I've seen something in one of my books - I'll have a look later on.
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09-12-2007, 01:31 PM
| | Active Member | | Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 81
| | | Re: Coracle making.
What is a coracle???? |
09-12-2007, 01:38 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bunnylover  What is a coracle???? | A boat made of wood and hide. 
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09-12-2007, 01:58 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bunnylover What is a coracle???? |
As tufftie said, it is boat made from strips of wood and hide. You can cheat and use a canvas sheet, and coat it with Gas tar, i think. They are a bowl shaped boat used for fishing the Rivers. Each main river had its own style.
I believe they have a wood and skin boat in Ireland,called the Curragh. This is longer..more boat shape. |
09-12-2007, 02:08 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: May 2007 Location: Caversham, Reading, Berks.
Posts: 534
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Hi,
I think you'd need a quick course in basket weaving first, the weaving is "easy", but the starting and finishing is somewhat more intricate so it holds together.
We don't want someone else missing for five years, especialy a member. 
Max.
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09-12-2007, 02:08 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tufftie i would have thought Yew or chestnut because they resist the water well. Chestnut is quite easy to cleave with one of those triangle thingies that i can never remember the name of!
I'm sure I've seen something in one of my books - I'll have a look later on. |
It would kill me using Yew, very hard to get hold of around me. If i do get hold of any, i usually make bowls and such. I agree with the Chestnut, but there is only one tree in my Valley (that i know of) 
I am choosing Hazel and Willow, as i can readily get hold of it from the woods i help manage.
Are you thinking of a Froe? i have one, and it is great for cleaving. I also use a Morris billhook for the thinner wood. |
09-12-2007, 02:14 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by m1.carson Hi,
I think you'd need a quick course in basket weaving first, the weaving is "easy", but the starting and finishing is somewhat more intricate so it holds together.
We don't want someone else missing for five years, especialy a member.
Max. |
He he
Yes, the finishing is what i am worried about. If it was for me, i would not mind the hit and miss, but it is for my son. He went out on one last year, and has nagged me to make him one ever since.. |
09-12-2007, 02:40 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
No, not a froe - it will come to me likely at 3am and the old cat will look at me as if I'm totally loopyloo!
Had a look and it's not in my book - strange because he uses a boat shaped one. I can give you details for a yurt, an axe, a paddle and a chair..... but err not a coracle! sorry!
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10-12-2007, 08:54 AM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,110
| | | Re: Coracle making.
You should get in touch with this guy. Here's his site, which is interesting and informative. Good Luck: Welcome to Coracle Craftsman |
10-12-2007, 04:39 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Cheers Ron, that looks an interesting site.
I am going to have a start on it next weekend(Weather permitting and if i fix my shave horse). Already got some material to make a start. I will keep you folks informed of my progress. And when my Camera arrives, hopefully some photos. 
Regards Christian. |
10-12-2007, 07:47 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by C C Are you thinking of a Froe? | My triangle thingy is a triangulated riving brake
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10-12-2007, 08:25 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tufftie My triangle thingy is a triangulated riving brake |
Ha right..a brake, you had me puzzled, "Triangle thingy"
Regards Christain. |
11-12-2007, 07:39 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Forgot to mention there's a very good book on green woodworking - not had a chance to use it but perhaps when I get to go self sufficient. It's called the Encyclopedia of Green Woodworking by Ray Tabor. I seem to collect these book in determined hope for the future!!! I've got another on making bread ovens, yurts, cob houses.... what a ninny!
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11-12-2007, 08:29 AM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Yorkshire ( Gods Country )
Posts: 953
| | | Re: Coracle making.
I have got some bound copies of a DIY magazine from first world war era ,,, I think there was an article in one of the volumes,,, I will try and check at the weekend...
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11-12-2007, 11:41 AM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,110
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by C C Cheers Ron, that looks an interesting site.
I am going to have a start on it next weekend(Weather permitting and if i fix my shave horse). Already got some material to make a start. I will keep you folks informed of my progress. And when my Camera arrives, hopefully some photos.
Regards Christian. | It would be interesting if you could post a photo of the building stages.
In one of his programmes, Hugh Fernley Whittingstall went fishing for sea trout in one in Wales and had problems keeping his balance. Good Luck |
11-12-2007, 12:38 PM
|  | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Andover
Posts: 868
| | | Re: Coracle making.
What a great project Christian, please keep us informed of the progress and good luck.
BWD
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11-12-2007, 07:00 PM
|  | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: essex/suffolk boarder
Posts: 462
| | | Re: Coracle making.
here may give you some pointers by the way the old boy lives not far from me and makes loads of them Conwy Richards Coracle Makers Website - Coracle Society Member
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regards matt
experientia docet stultos |
12-12-2007, 09:33 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tufftie Forgot to mention there's a very good book on green woodworking - not had a chance to use it but perhaps when I get to go self sufficient. It's called the Encyclopedia of Green Woodworking by Ray Tabor. I seem to collect these book in determined hope for the future!!! I've got another on making bread ovens, yurts, cob houses.... what a ninny! | I did own two of Rays books, i think they were Traditional Woodlands and Greenwoodwork Patterns. I lent them, along with many others to some one in college and have not seen him since  And thanks for the heads up on the book.
You can't beat a bit of Bushcraft. I have made plenty of Wikiups, the kids prefer these to Tents. They would love a yurt. |
12-12-2007, 09:53 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 394
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Cheers for the above posts folks.
I have decided to make a simple one first. It won't require the long process of riving the Hazel. I have found something to go on for this one.
And when i get the time and patience, i will have a proper go:- Dandelife.com : Story : "how to make a coracle", by Tony Wheeler
Regards Christian....i will keep you posted. |
13-12-2007, 06:23 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Are wikiups the same as benders? Hmm i fancy a yurt - a small wooden one, maybe on Orkney or down in cornwall! Let us know how the coracle goes - it sounds fun!
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10-03-2008, 08:22 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: In a tranquil valley with a stream in garden
Posts: 2,129
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Christian - how's the coracle coming along...? The ground is moist enough now surely?! You were going to put some photos on here - so we could see the process stage by stage...? Looking forward to seeing them! This si something I'm interested in - so curious to know how you're doing with it?
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10-03-2008, 10:02 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,140
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Used to live near Shrewsbury and their footy ground was next to the river. They always had (have?) a guy in a coracle on match days in case the ball goes in the River.
Also the river there above Shrewsbury is very bendy, apparently you could carry you coracle as the crow flies and then spend ages coming round the bendy bits, fishing.
I think a bit of me still lives in Shroppy. Probably toenails, but feels like more. |
11-03-2008, 12:08 AM
|  | Wild Member | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: east peckham , kent
Posts: 167
| | | Re: Coracle making.
ray mears bushcraft.. series 2.. when he's in america he makes one from a buffalo hide.. goes into quite a bit of detail.. well worth a look.. should help u... and good luck ... james |
11-03-2008, 02:31 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,110
| | | Re: Coracle making.
Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorguy ray mears bushcraft.. series 2.. when he's in america he makes one from a buffalo hide.. goes into quite a bit of detail.. well worth a look.. should help u... and good luck ... james |
Well Ray would need one the size of a buffalo | | |
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