Currently I am completing a 17' Rangely Double ender. I purchased the plans from New Found Woodworks. This was a hard build. I would not recommend this boat to a first time builder. I would however recommend this boat if you have some building experience. The Plans were OK but the constructions notes were a little sparse. I did purchase a book that helped. I relied mostly on past experience and intuition. There is lots of information on the Internet about building canoes and kayaks but there isn't much info on the Rangely. The people at New Found Wood Works are great and were very helpful with all of my questions.
I wanted to do something a little different on this boat. The plans showed short decks fore and aft. I made longer decks and incorporated water tight storage compartments in each end. I also made cane seats. I am sure that there is a reason that the seats needed to be solid planks, but I can always change them later if needed. I just started applying the spar varnish so the boat won't be completed for a number of weeks. Which is OK because there is a couple of feet of ice on the lake at the moment. This boat will be for sale. I was told that I can't build another boat until I sell one.
Last fall I took the boat out for a trial run. I had short little oars but the boat moved effortlessly through the water anyway. I thought it would be tipsy, but it was very stable and tracked very well. I am thinking with the high gas prices, people will be knocking down my door for this boat.
