JOHN BARRATT

A handmade canoe combining a blue hull, varnished timber interior and pine paddles with mahogany detailing.

Built together by John and his son Samuel, this Scandinavian canoe was a personal project that brought their shared interest in making onto the water. Marine plywood panels were stitched together with copper wire to form the hull, before the seams were reinforced with fibreglass tape.

The internal timber ribs were steam-bent to follow the hull’s curves, creating the repeating structure visible within the cream-painted interior. Varnished timber seats, decks and edging bring warmth to the deep blue exterior and reveal the construction of the boat.

John and Samuel also made the accompanying paddles from pine with mahogany strips, finishing the project with the same attention to shaping, materials and detail.