The 16ft Peterborough is one of the all-time classic canoe designs originating in Ontario in the 1880s. It has a beam of 32” and a depth of 11”. It has a round bottom and modest rocker. We chose this design because it is a fast, attractive canoe that has enough volume for tripping for two, but not so much freeboard as a Prospector, which unless well laden, is apt to catch the wind. Also, the Prospector looks a little boxy to some tastes. If the Prospector is the Workhorse of the North, then the Peterborough is the Thoroughbred.

Please note that owing to time constraints, we are not currently building Peterboroughs to order, but rather schedule them around other jobs and sell one from time to time when they are finished.

Photo courtesy of Jonathan Reynolds

A Moosehead Peterborough in Finland

Build your own wood-canvas canoe. Your wood; our form

Many people we have spoken to would really like to build their own wood-canvas canoe but have been put off by the need to make a full building form complete with metal bands for clinching the brass planking tacks.  We now are offering a building scheme for you to use our form in Chesterfield for the ribbing and planking phases; then finish the hull at home. Ribbing and planking take about 30 hours building time, which could be completed in a couple of week-ends, during which time you are welcome to stay. We will provide a full cutting list and wood samples, and included would be use of our canvas clamps and bending jigs, and every assistance with the on-form phases, including steaming. Cost £250.

Ribbing completed

Canvassing

The materials for making a wood-canvas Peterborough should be somewhere in the region of £500

Carved deck

Finished Peterborough with ash pole and Algonquin paddle

A restored OT Trapper: Spliced stems, five new ribs, planking, canvas and filler

One of our Peterboroughs on the Tweed