Eaglewind

Rich Parlee in Ucluelet BC built this power canoe to resemble the Nu Cha Nulth whaling canoes of the Native peoples of West Coast Vancouver Island. She was built “out of my head,” says the builder, out of five-eighth red Cedar strips. She was first built with a flat bottom like a Carolina Dory Skiff. But the 20 hp outboard in a well drove her 24 knots and she pounded terribly. She also steered badly. After a large dragger smashed her “to kindling wood”, the owner re-built her this spring with a modified V bottom of plywood and fiberglass and made her self-bailing. The new Honda 25, now on a wood and fiberglass bracket at the stern, drives her at a more sedate 15 knots cruise because she is now 800 pounds. She has proven very seaworthy in the very big waters off Ucluelet logging many hours each season in the open Pacific.