Coracle making.

C C · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 10:34 AM

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.

tufftie · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:00 PM

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.

bunnylover · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:31 PM

What is a coracle????

tufftie · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunnylover

What is a coracle????

A boat made of wood and hide.

C C · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 01:58 PM

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.

m1.carson · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 02:08 PM

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.

C C · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 02:08 PM

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.

C C · #8 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 02:14 PM

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..

tufftie · #9 (**permalink**) 09-12-2007, 02:40 PM

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!