Stewart River Boatworks

Stewart River Boatworks Builders of wood and canvas canoes and lapstrake rowing boats. We build wood and canvas canoes and boats.

We also build lapstrake row boats of solid lumber and glued marine grade plywood. We repair all types of wooden boats and perform woodwork dfor other types of boats.

08/14/2026

Canoeing. It soothes the soul.

We are forever looking for the silver lining, though not always sure it is there or achieveable. This canoe was built by...
08/10/2026

We are forever looking for the silver lining, though not always sure it is there or achieveable.

This canoe was built by Old Town in 1947. It may be the worst example of a canoe that factory built that I have seen, yet, it was built for the YMCA Camp Warren that is celebrating it’s 100 year anniversary next summer and I was asked to restore it. Given the amount of work it will take, and because they want a part in it, some of the board members are going to finish it from here.

They are aware that the restoration isn ‘t thorough, but it should make the canoe serviceable so it can be paddled a few times and maybe even taken on a trip!

It has pine planking, which I had not seen before and it was all flat-sawn resulting in it rippling between the nails. Some of the planks had rotted, especially in the bottom and at the upper edge and not all the ripples could be sanded out. I replaced the rotted planks with cedar, opting for flat-sawn stock that will match. I believe the board members will stain all the interior to get it somewhat consistent in color befor varnishing.

It had birch trim. We saved the thwarts and seat frames but I replaced both decks with “flame” birch, hoping some “wow” factor might forgive the rest of the work. The canoe does have a nice shape, I think!

My customers brought in the Easedale canoe I had restored for them so I could straighten out the stem band that had gott...
08/06/2026

My customers brought in the Easedale canoe I had restored for them so I could straighten out the stem band that had gotten twisted by being snagged in a beaching. I just love this boat and snapped this photo of it this morning.

This Fishdance that I built in 2019 is now for sale. It has been used very little and well stored in those years. It is ...
08/02/2026

This Fishdance that I built in 2019 is now for sale. It has been used very little and well stored in those years. It is being sold by its current owner through Marketplace (link in comments). It
is listed on our webpage: https://stewartriver.com/on-hand/
$7200

I am always moved when people claim their accomplishments are the result of a team effort. A one-person operation is som...
07/29/2026

I am always moved when people claim their accomplishments are the result of a team effort. A one-person operation is sometimes hard-put to make that claim. Of course there are the customers (I am forever grateful!).

But this load of Northern white cedar is a better example. I moved to northern Minnesota 45 years ago to be near it, so I would be able to find the sources. I’ve worked with dozens of loggers and small mill operators over the years. So many of those guys have passed on, sadly.

I feel blessed to have folks I can rely on to get the top quality cedar I need to make top-quality boats. This is all material I can make quarter-sawn planking from for canoes and my square stern Fishdance.

You don’t always need a solo canoe to go out on your own. I’m finding our tandem canoe outfitted for oar is a very good,...
07/29/2026

You don’t always need a solo canoe to go out on your own. I’m finding our tandem canoe outfitted for oar is a very good, and more sea-worthy alternative.

I went to Marine-on-the-St. Croix last night for their annual canoe/boat gathering. It was quite fun interacting with al...
07/15/2026

I went to Marine-on-the-St. Croix last night for their annual canoe/boat gathering. It was quite fun interacting with all the knowledgeable canoeists.

Fitting in the last of the new bottom plank pieces in a 1921 Old Town canoe. I’ve pre-stained the new wood in hopes it w...
07/10/2026

Fitting in the last of the new bottom plank pieces in a 1921 Old Town canoe. I’ve pre-stained the new wood in hopes it will match the older wood close enough.

I canvassed a canoe over the weekend, little bits at a time. Canvas can help make a canoe seem new again. Even as the wo...
07/06/2026

I canvassed a canoe over the weekend, little bits at a time. Canvas can help make a canoe seem new again. Even as the world wobbles it can feel as though I made something right.

Morning coffee break at the home for older canoes. One is ready to head back to the river!
07/03/2026

Morning coffee break at the home for older canoes. One is ready to head back to the river!

Address

PO Box 297
Knife River, MN
55609

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+12188342506

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Stewart River Boatworks posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Stewart River Boatworks:

Shortcuts

Share

Category