12′ Wee Rob Canoe

12' Wee Rob Canoe

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Recreational canoeing began in Britain and America in the latter half of the 19th century in boats similar to Iain Oughtred’s Wee Rob. The general type came to be known as the Rob Roy canoe, after a popular, archetypal vessel by that name. Oughtred’s 12-footer-being a small version of the original breed-is named accordingly.

In recent years there has been a revival of double-­paddle sailing canoes, as more people rediscover the ver­satility of these lovely craft. Traditional construction, though, of what is essentially a tiny yacht can be a chal­lenging project-given light scantlings, solid lumber, tight spaces, and a complex round-bottomed shape. Wee Rob can certainly be built in the traditional manner, and Oughtred has specified information for that option. However, the real purpose and appeal of this design (as with much of Iain Oughtred’s work) is to facilitate rather than complicate construction, so the builder can go boat­ing in a traditional craft after a minimum of shop time.

To that end, Wee Rob requires no lofting, because patterns are provided for the stems and the station molds. Also, the preferred building method here is glued-seam lapstrake plywood construction, which requires few fas­tenings and no internal framing, and for which sheet materials are readily available in marine grades. Moreover, the designer has predetermined the plank shapes and prepared an illustrated, instructional monograph for building small boats by this system.

The construction drawing in the plans set shows not only the Wee Rob’s building jig but — along with the sail plan — a variety of auxiliary parts and appurtenances should the builder elect to produce a decked rather than open canoe, or create a lug-rigged lee board sailer of the basic double-paddler.

Finally, provisions have been made and revised pat­terns furnished for lengthened versions (at 13’7″ or 15’2″) of this hull on the same beam. The standard model of a Wee Rob would be as handy a single-hander and car-top cruiser as you’re likely to find. And to find one, friends, is to build one, since boats like this are not seen at the store; but she’s well worth the ef­fort. Wee Rob offers the opportunity to do some old-time, commemorative canoeing: a return to the roots of recrea­tional small craft, in a modern boat.

Plans for the Wee Rob Canoe consist of five sheets which include lines and offsets, construction and sail plans, plus patterns for molds and stems that are marked for plank lands. Also included are a materials list and the designer’s 14-page building booklet. WB Plan No. 79.

Completed 12′ Wee Rob Canoe Images

Lorenz Rutz

Shair Rutz and her granddaughter take a maiden voyage of PEARL on the Ompompanoosuc River near Norwich, Vermont.

Charlotte Rutz

The Wee Rob plans include a decked version but Lorenz (wading) was looking for a light pond boat, and decking would have added significant weight, so he built it as an open boat.

Paul LaBrie

The LaBrie’s son, Jonathan, launched from their dock on Cobbosseecontee Stream. Jonathan loves the canoe and has asked us to build him one.