On Site Building / Courses

Build your small Boat in our shop

For builders who wish to have access to ongoing assistance or those who do not have the space or tools, book your space in our shop now and be paddling your own wooden canoe, kayak or small boat sooner. When building with us, expertise and assistance is always at your side. We supply the molds and materials and you supply the labor. Choose from our plans or bring your own. Contact us for more details.

On Site Fees

The current cost to build your own canoe or kayak in our shop is $1850 for the standard kit. In addition to materials, there is also a weekly fee of $110 per week. This fee allows you access to the shop anytime during open hours, use of molds and tools and all the assistance that you need to successfully build your own boat. All fees are subject to applicable taxes. A deposit is required to put your name on the waiting list. Additional costs may be incurred for upgrading from standard kit materials.

Below is just a few of the many boats that have been built in our shop by first time builders. To see more photos of these boats and others, go to our Photo Gallery. If you have built one of our boats and would like to see your boat pictured here, send us your photos and we will add it to the growing gallery.

Patty and Rob's Spring Run, Victoria, B.C.

Akimi and Rob's Skana, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Ben Lucas's Skana – first prize Vancouver Wooden Boat festival, Coquitlam, B.C.

Bob Richard's Skana, Maple Ridge, B.C.

Brian Smith's Bjossa, North Vancouver , B.C.

Chris Gamble's Skana, Port Moody, B.C.

Ed Driver's Prospector, Kelowna , B.C.

Lesley Appell's Springer, Vancouver , B.C.

Jennifer Scalabrini's Skana – first prize, Vancouver Wooden Boat festival, Coquitlam, B.C.

Colin Fraser's Skana, Coquitlam, B.C.

Gordon Caldwell's Prospector, Port Coquitlam , B.C.

Raymond Lavoie's Cape Ann double, Powell River , B.C.

Tim O'Connell's Bjossa – first prize, Vancouver Wooden boat festival, North Vancouver , B.C.

Simon Cooper's Prospector, Coquitlam, B.C.

Therese and Ken‘s Prospector, Port Coquitlam, B.C.

John Rozell's Kiska, First prize – Vancouver Wooden Boat Festival, Vancouver, B.C.

Seminars and Trade Shows

Be sure to visit us at the following Community Events and Trade Shows.

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Off Site Course and Building Opportunities

Orca Boats can bring a boat building short course or seminar to your location. All materials and written instructions are supplied with little or no expertise required, just your enthusiasm. You will be inspired - many have. Contact us if you would like to arrange a course and bring it to your location. We will be glad to discuss your options. Very little space is required for small groups and you will benefit from hosting a course.

Free Presentations

To book your free (within our geographical area) slide presentation and demonstration on how to build your own canoe or kayak, contact us. We bring all necessary equipment and materials for these interesting and informative slide presentations. Through to 2009, we presented to Canoe and Kayak Clubs, Wooden Boat Clubs, Boy Scout organizations, at Kayak Paddlefests and at the B.C. Sportsman and Outdoor Show.