Dugout Canoe Carving: The Story of Belladonna Beaver

* www.elpel.info * I had the privilege of carving a dugout canoe with Churchill Clark, great-great-great-great grandson of Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Working with traditional adzes and modern power tools, we carved a beautiful 20-foot canoe from a massive old Douglas fir log. The end result is functional and beautiful and paddles like a dream. Read more:
www.greenuniversity.com/Class_...
Log Wizard Details: www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/Home_...
#dugoutcanoe #canoe #woodenboat

[@eeaaahhj]

Great project!
I love your style of videos ever since i discovered your "Art of Nothing
Wilderness Survival Video Series"... Always a great atmosphere/feeling in them :) ... Thank you !

[@orvillethompson5838]

Shôshin 2016 IS OUR LAST NIGHT FOR

[@MsSkanderbeg]

Shôshin 2016 Great job! I looked with pleasure. Hello from Russia.

[@comesefosseantani231]

Grear job men 👏👏👏

[@zakiahsuut2211]

Shôshin 2016
Y

[@zakiahsuut2211]

Shôshin 2016

[@benb8804]

That is the coolest canoe I've ever seen guys good job

[@tomaszjaschke631]

Thank you. so much love in this project. so nice to to see. regards from Prenzlau/Germany:)

[@hannorasmusholtiegel6044]

Hallo 😂

[@yoursoulisforever]

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing! In 2004-2005 I canoed the Lewis and Clark trail from the Pacific to St Louis. It took me two years. It was the experience of a life time.

[@thomasjelpel]

Wow James! That's quite a journey you undertook! We paddled our dugout canoe down the Missouri River from Montana to St. Louis in 2019. Here is a video about the adventure: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@vildplockad]

Great video, thank you for the ride!

[@BDOT911]

This deserves tens and hundreds of millions of veiws to say the least

[@Garbagejuicewaterfall]

Hundreds of quadrillions

[@rocketstovechannel1508]

Quadrillions of billions

[@tinadunaway1737]

BEAUTIFUL , I LOVE IT

[@mohammadkarim5764]

Wow....that's a beautiful canoe, and I love that person with long hair in the beginning of the video, the way he expressed his excitement, loved it.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Mohammad! Be sure to watch the follow-up video about our first journey down the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@bunnystitches8521]

I think my tennis elbow flared just watching this video. That’s lots of hard work. Beautiful end project.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Be sure to watch Part 2: Paddling the Marias River: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@tclai5296]

@@thomasjelpel n8

[@cctai2283]

@@thomasjelpel the only thing

[@mrsantana9094]

My 2nd time watching this and love Churchill's energy and excitement!

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@mikemartin9596]

Watching how much work your chainsaw did makes me appreciate how skilled and patient the indigenous canoe builders in who only had stone axes and fire as tools

[@TheDjazz1]

Love the Logboat Brewery tee...the Snapper IPA is my all-time favorite.

[@dugoutcanoelove1759]

Mine, too!

[@TheDjazz1]

@@dugoutcanoelove1759 do you make it to Columbia often? I'm from that area; grew up near Boonslick Historic Site. Always fun to see reminders of home on the old Inter-webs.

[@angelstouch503]

Just amazing guys, not many people like u left in this modern world, just amazing!!!!!!!!

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Here's the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@pskemster]

That Gentleman was a very enjoyable piece of wood working mastery!
Thank you for sharing most kindly!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks for the complement Patrick! Here is the story of our five-month journey down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@user-ys8iq8gf1u]

Thank you ! Nice work !

[@maxwellworldwidehistorical3801]

Well Done Gentleman! Well Done Sirs! Hand Salute from a Kindred Colleague and Friend!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Maxwell! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@angelowentzler9961]

I love honest hard work. Could watch it for hours.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Angelo! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@_Orhan_]

Much respect to hard work and effort dealing with cracks and thousands of axe blows. Really good job.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you Güzel. I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is the story of our five-month canoe trip down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@RobMacKendrick]

It's eery how closely Churchill resembles his famous ancestor. Got the same soul, too.

[@dugoutcanoelove1759]

I'm flattered, but William is probably turning over in his monument! LOL

[@repliedreplied5552]

Thus is a lying

[@ThatGuyCanmanNC]

I wonder if the great great great great grandson also has slaves

[@sbishop1700]

@@ThatGuyCanmanNC dick

[@RehabProjectSRCB]

ThatGuyCanmanNC doesn’t everyone have a few? You must be onea them fancy Yankees

[@buddienorway]

What a wonderful project.
Thanks for making a video. I would love a canoe like that.
Keep up the good work and enjoy the canoe.
Cheers from norway

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Alexander! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@-tv6906]

What a fantastic canoe!

[@sadewar3117]

10/10 best ad for the log wizard i have ever seen

[@thomasjelpel]

Yup! And here it is: www.dirtcheapbuilder.com/Home_Building/Log_Home_Construction.htm#LogWizard

[@Brian-xx3bx]

Looks beautiful nice job

[@carloseduardobernardo5805]

Hello, good afternoon, I live in Brazil in some regions of our immense country, there are several tribes that build canoes with whole trunks. I would like to congratulate you for all your dedication and faith during all construction, may God bless you and your families!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Carlos! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@khanfamily95]

Absolutely loved it .

[@amazingsnow]

Great job. A labor of love thanks for the inspiration to make one.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Here's the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@roquenovackjunior9919]

Parabéns, Ficou Show. Um abraço daqui do Brasil

[@vermouth310]

Youse guys deserve a medal!! Wonderful workmanship. GOD is great!!!!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Oswald! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@ROESPLETZ]

I have been wanting to do this for so many years! Seeing you guys do it makes me realize how much work is involved! I didn’t think it would take a long weekend but it’s a ton of work! Good job fellas!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Justin! If you enjoyed the video you'll love to hear about our five-month canoe trip paddling the dugout down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@draven3838]

Brother that's pretty awesome, she floats pretty good even loaded down , great job , thanks for the video

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Gary! Here's the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@MrBlackbamboo]

This has got to be the most fascinating video I have ever watched on youtube I love your canoe greetings from Scotland

[@thomasjelpel]

Glad you enjoyed it! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@mealex303]

Nice job looked very stable and buoyant

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Alex! Yes, it is very stable and buoyant. Here is Part 2, if you haven't seen it already: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@davidriley8590]

Great job you worked well together, looked great in the water thanks for sharing.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks David! Here's Part 2, if you haven't already seen it: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@deborahgwinn5736]

What a purdy canoe. I was five minutes in and I was exhausted. Great job.

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is my new book about our five-month journey paddling the Missouri River from Montana to St. Louis: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@joelg5358]

That's cool man thanks for sharing.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Joel! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@arranpullen3668]

That planer attachment for the chainsaw is sweet

[@BEATTECHN1QUE]

My Cockerel crowed as you screamed "canoe, canoe"!!
Quite the resemblance for one another in those moments hahaha

[@thomasjelpel]

That's funny Jay! Here's the story about our five-month journey down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@gregory44ish]

I hope you guys gonna enjoy it for many years to come...

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks so much Gregory! Here is a look at our five-month journey down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@johnk1639]

Amazing to find a canoe inside that log 😉

[@thomasjelpel]

Glad you enjoyed it John! Here's a video of the canoe in action on the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@flubmaster.]

Nice job !!!
I made a kayak from branches and stretch ;)

[@stephenlarkin3690]

My dad once made a canoe out of wood strips and Barrage balloon material.......well, there was a war on!

[@calummcnab]

FANTASTIC. What an acheivment guys. Loved watching the Vid.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Calum! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@MrRigmunkee1]

Thank you for sharing your work. She is a thing of beauty for sure!

[@qusi90qq1]

Nice work man

[@euro1859]

Nice job guys,love the finished canoe,now off to watch the maiden voyage video,cheers from England.

[@bobbyharper8710]

Cool project!

[@claytonholton2749]

That waS TOO MUCH FUN! Now I want to make one!

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Clayton! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@remkojerphanion4686]

With a project like that, who needs to visit the gym? :)

[@thomasjelpel]

True, for sure. Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@masterdanprice2904]

Friggin amazing

[@jackkobie7089]

BEAUTY ON THE WATER.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Jack! Here's a look at our five-month journey down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@rjiggy07]

Good seeing you again Tom! Excellent video.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks rjiggy07! Sorry the name doesn't ring a bell, ha! Here's the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@deanflint2239]

Great job Gents !!!

[@mehmetertum6]

NICE AND HARD WORK , WELL DONE ... CONGRATS

[@peterjenkins1244]

Brilliant work of art !

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Peter! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

Damn! Over 6 million views, good for you and your big ass canoe❤

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Jonathan! I'm not sure how that happened! Be sure to watch the follow-up video of our first journey down the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@ahmimaissa6826]

Good job.

[@atsi_tsiket]

The video was long but satisfied watching ❤️😊.. awesome....and old men at work looks so cool😎

[@thomasjelpel]

Who are you calling OLD?!? Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is the follow-up video on the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@smokster0604]

Grandpa Amu would love that carving ......so cool

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@kimimikar2579]

Wow...what a nice canoe!!!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Kimi! Here's a video about our five-month adventure down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@danieljimenezmartinez2969]

Todos mis respetos se lo han currado muy bien les felicito un buen like

[@thomasjelpel]

Gracias Daniel! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@zachmeyer2718]

I am thinking about building a small dugout kayak. Thanks for the ideas and Tips to making a canoe.

[@Garbagejuicewaterfall]

Do it!

[@bravofoxtrotllc6817]

Beautiful use of nature!

[@thomasjelpel]

th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@clevertondacruzsantos8984]

Beautiful canoe! Very good!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is the story of our five month canoe trip down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@jerryurbanek9640]

muito bom , emprecionante , ficou uma beleza estao de parabens ,..

[@thomasjelpel]

Obrigado Jerry. Aqui está o vídeo de acompanhamento da canoa no rio: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@danmurrell7781]

You guys rock. Thank you for sharing that incredible journey, what outdoorsman hasn’t dreamed of building a dugout? We dreamed, you guys purchased a Douglass fir, damn you all have my respect. I’d love to hear about you’re learning curve with the adze? Great job, thank you.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Dan! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@ninhduong9482]

Yes I so love this job it take along day working sometimes tied and weepy but until finish look happy.

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@jackdezmen572]

Great work, truly inspiring!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Jack, I'm glad you enjoyed the video so much. :) Here is the story of our five-month journey down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@sairaqsa]

Good job men.

[@earlzwow]

Good job on a very inspiring video. I've wanted to do just the same with this hundred year old Western Red Cedar on our property, it's really BIG. I enjoyed the whole video. Thank you.

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@bluesman7703]

Goes to show what men can do !!! Awesome job guys !!!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@1234cdsarver]

Thank you great video God bless y’all

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Cecil! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@dadybig6522]

Thank you I loved this video I wish I was their to help

[@sheep1ewe]

Awsome project!
I realy don't know why so many people did not like it.

[@IsThisHandleTaken]

Probably because it didn't need to be 30 minutes long... this could have been edited into a 3-5 minute video and been somewhat interesting

[@misfit4373]

@@IsThisHandleTaken i kinda enjoyed the 30 minutes...

[@IsThisHandleTaken]

@@misfit4373 To each their own of course, but for the casual observer with limited time to grab our attention it could be shortened. I just end up skipping through to see some milestones and then the finished product.

[@dugoutcanoelove1759]

"Armchair canoe-carvers." LOL

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@manishchaudharynishchaudha9287]

Beautiful...

[@muhammediqbal1704]

You guys did nice job

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you Muhammed! Here's a look at our five-month canoe trip down the Missouri River: th-cam.com/video/5DyznyKp0Cc/w-d-xo.html

[@kivalcosta1900]

Was spectacular, the natives here Brasil do a similar, unfortunately we do not have beavers. Greetings from Rio de Janeiro.

[@lennym1273]

@@25052007 Shaved Beavers lmao...

[@dugoutcanoelove1759]

I wish the beavers helped! LOL

[@lelandgilsen9682]

Look like great burn bowls in those wedged inner sections?

[@vipinraj6191]

Nice work guys. Hard work have a result

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks! Here is the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@johnlamb95]

Beautiful boat it truly is work of art!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks John! Here is the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@Esuper1]

Sawmill sold you the tree with the most knots! Bastards! Good job tho, builds character.

[@EvansBrosRacing]

I thought the same thing , they sure dont want it with those knots , they are hard on equipment

[@thomasjelpel]

Ha! Yeah, there are not many trees big enough for canoes here, so we were lucky to find one at all. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@MaMa-xb3qc]

@@thomasjelpel ki

[@ColdWarVet607]

I once floated a stick in the stream!

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@ThunderstoneWV]

Excellent! Your inspiring Tom!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here's the follow-up story of our maiden voyage: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@OhioRiverFisherman]

What an awesome canoe!!! U guys are amazing!!!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Matthew! Here is the follow-up video on the water: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html
And here's the book about our five-month canoe trip down the Missouri River:
www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@acehandler1530]

Reject log? Too many knots? All subjective opinions, all the knots and colors make the finished result so much more beautiful. It's a work of art really. Thanks for sharing!

[@user-bc3pc5gu2y]

I am not saying it isn't beatiful work, but the question of knots, is not entirely sublective. Especialy for a canoe that has to be sound on the water, i am sure you have hat knots with different density and non consistent fiber, that falls out. That is even if you over come the issues such as in the beginning of the video with them making working the wood difficult. I have a small acreage tree farm and know if you want to use the wood in its original form and not as firewood you try and remove branches so the don't cause big deep knots. Look how many videos now with them being filled with epoxy.

[@thomasjelpel]

There were a lot of gnarly knots for sure, but they do add to the beauty. Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@gillesfremondiere5507]

Bravo les gars

[@luizcoelho2459]

A satisfação e alegria de poder realizar um sonho, desejo muitas felicidades.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Luiz! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@mrsantana9094]

Wow guys! Nice work!!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Rafael!

[@shirleybecker495]

You could bring the whole tribe! Great job!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you Shirley! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Here is the story of our five month canoe trip down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@keiscott2953]

Cool project /Wrong tree
I had clear grain Fir trees, but this unless you want a barge heavy - Use Cedar in the first place. That was a reject log !

[@paulweston8184]

I couldn't have said it better myself. It is just amazing how these guys were able to turn that "reject log" into a fine looking canoe under those conditions.
Nice work and thanks Tom and Church. Well done capturing the scenery with some nice shots of the water and mountains in the background. Now, That's what I call a labor of love. Kudos.

[@thomasjelpel]

Yup. Totally the wrong tree. I had a cottonwood picked out, but it was just a wee too small for the job, so we found the Douglas fir as a substitute. It isn't a traditional canoe wood, and it's very heavy, but she sure turned out beautiful and floats great! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@benbry942]

wow bro thats so cool:))

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Ben! Here is the follow-up video from the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@Korgon2013]

This was awesome to watch. Loved it!

[@thomasjelpel]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Be sure to check out the book about our five-month journey down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@zaheersringerisringeri5323]

So good wonderful job....

[@G31mR]

Would the Log Wizard thingie work more easily on a very short....12"?.....bar??

[@martindworak]

Amazing craftsmanship, I just wish the vid was longer.

[@thomasjelpel]

Thanks Martin! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@barrettbarker8343]

It has a beaver head! Very cool. Great workout!

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video Barrett! Here is the follow-up video, paddling down the river: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@elekkecskes830]

igazán szemrevaló lett,igen a kitartó munka szép eredménye.Köszönöm

[@thomasjelpel]

Köszönöm Elek! Ne felejtsd el figyelni a 2. részt a folyón: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@tima.478]

Imagine all of this WITHOUT a chainsaw!

[@thomasjelpel]

Yeah, the chainsaw helped a ton! Hand tools would have been better on different wood, such as cottonwood. Here's the full story of our five-month adventure paddling the canoe down the Missouri River: www.hopspress.com/Books/Missouri_River.htm

[@tima.478]

@@thomasjelpel Hand tools, like hard work...are their own reward!

[@matus158]

4:38 when little David is fighting against big Goliath with chainsaw :D

[@thomasjelpel]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@valdeleioliveira356]

Nice piece from nature been carved with kids tools

[@valdeleioliveira356]

How much meat was wasted to make a boat

[@tacticplanner7188]

This is the real reason our forefathers didn't have as long a life span, the never ending hard labor takes it toll. Thanks for sharing guys, looks great.👍👍

[@thomasjelpel]

Good thing we did it for fun! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@puma1304]

really nice project! this kind of boat building was indeed very resource-waistful, birchbark canoes were in this sense better

[@thomasjelpel]

True. But our birch trees are only 4 or 5 inches in diameter here. It would take many, many trees to make one canoe! Here is Part 2: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@tuma420wc8]

Maori waka (Canoe ) master carver s float the log to find the densist side, winter side for the bottom.Tree s were trimmed over time for less knot s for future waka (Canoe).

[@thomasjelpel]

That's really cool. Thanks for sharing Ropata! Here is the follow-up video: th-cam.com/video/N-JgWTDUta0/w-d-xo.html

[@CaptainLift]

You have to study boat making in Thailand.

[@716knocko2]

Absolutely amazing. Every aspect ..