Wahkeena

Ray Klebba paddled his own Wahkeena Cruiser in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota for weeks at a time, and this is his long distance tripping canoe. The hull is asymmetric with its widest point just behind centre for steady tracking on big lakes and long crossings, and it can be built at either 17 ft 6 in or 18 ft 6 in, both with a 34 in beam. A quarter inch of rocker helps her turn when loaded, and he rates her at five hundred pounds of paddlers and gear.

The bottom is almost flat, rising gently to the sides, with a touch of tumblehome for easier paddling and slightly recurved ends standing 17 1/2 in at the bow and 15 1/2 in at the stern for a traditional look. The design page also shows one builder's version converted at a 2008 class into a rowing canoe. Plans, a basic kit and a complete kit are offered for the cedar strip build.