CALIFORNIA


INTERVIEW


THE REDWOOD CRAFTSMAN


Based in Potter Valley, Bob Cummings runs Secret Harbor Boat Works, which has been making double outrigger canoes from reclaimed redwood for over 30 years


“A trip to Quetico Provincial Park in western Ontario in 1970 was the start of my interest in canoes. I learned they could be home-built from wood and fibreglass — something my wife and I slowly learned to do in California. “We became very skilled at making


and piloting difficult ‘Canadian’ canoes — we could self-rescue even in very rough conditions, but there was always that shock of cold water once you tipped in. Polynesian outriggers, which have one float, looked like a solution to this instability, but, in fact, can tip over even faster. So we built trimarans (double outriggers), with a float on both sides, and a foot-controlled rudder. An instant success, the rental companies we worked with loved them — they kept clients dry and happy. And we’re still at it, 40 years later. “Redwood is light, beautiful and easy


to work with; perfect for making rental craſt with, as it can be abused but is easy to repair. The really old stuff is best to build with but the only source these days is discarded lumber — fence posts, water tanks, fallen barns and such. It’s a real thrill to cut into a black and cracked old chunk and find gold. Fibreglass and epoxy completes the outrigger’s construction.” canoetri.com catchacanoe.com


Redwood National Park


PREVIOUS SPREAD FROM LEFT: Camper van at Joshua Tree


National Park; surfers parked up at a Californian beach RIGHT: The Mendoléa voyaging canoe


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IMAGE: ROBERT HARDING


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