A 2.14 M length overall (LOA) flat bottom modern canoe (Sampan), was designed and constructed using locally available materials. The canoe features include easy construction, portability, least cost, light weight, shallow draft, and easy maneuverability. The light displacement (weight empty) was 25kg, which was less than local canoe of same size. When placed on water a draft of 5.5cm. The capacity of the canoe was 200kg, and the total production cost of N10, 000.00, ($67) which was not beyond the reach of an average fisher folks, or any fish farmer. The canoe was easily maneuvered when propelled by paddling as it floated at a shallow draft; this makes the canoe adequate for use on shallow water bodies such as ponds and reservoirs. The craft, because of its easy maneuverability, can also be used on shallow water bodies for recreational activities such as, sport fishing and canoeing

Abubakar, S.

Adamu, R.

Aquatic Commons

  
 
FSN-AQ 0004 
DEVELOPMENT OF 2.14 M ONE SHEET CANOE (SAMPAN) FOR POND 
ACTIVITIES 
 
ABUBAKAR S. and R. ADAMU 
Federal College of Freshwater Fisheries Technology, New Bussa, Niger State. 
 
 
Copyright 2010, Fisheries Society of Nigeria. 
 
This paper was prepared for presentation at the 25
th
 Annual International 
Conference and Exhibition in Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), 
Topo-Badagry, Lagos, Nigeria, 25
th
 – 29
th
 October, 2010. 
  
This paper was selected for presentation by an FISON Program Committee 
following review of information contained in an abstract submitted by the 
author(s). Contents of the paper, as presented, have not been reviewed by the 
Fisheries Society of Nigeria and are subject to correction by the author(s). The 
material, as presented, does not necessarily reflect any position of the Fisheries 
Society of Nigeria, its officers, or members. Papers presented at FISON 
meetings are subject to publication review by Editorial Committees of the 
Fisheries Society of Nigeria. Electronic reproduction, distribution, or storage of 
any part of this paper for commercial purposes without the written consent of the 
Fisheries Society of Nigeria is prohibited. Permission to reproduce in print is 
restricted to an abstract of not more than 300 words; illustrations may not be 
copied. The abstract must contain conspicuous acknowledgement of where and 
by whom the paper was presented. Write Librarian, Fisheries Society of Nigeria 
(FISON), P. O. Box 2607 Apapa, Lagos. 
 
ABSTRACT 
A 2.14 M length overall (LOA) flat bottom 
modern canoe (Sampan), was designed and 
constructed using locally available 
materials.  The canoe features include easy 
construction, portability, least cost, light 
weight, shallow draft, and easy 
maneuverability. The light displacement 
(weight empty) was 25kg, which was less 
than local canoe of same size.  When placed 
on water a draft of 5.5cm.  The capacity of 
the canoe was 200kg, and the total 
production cost of N10, 000.00, which was 
not beyond the reach of an average fisher 
folks, or any fish farmer. The canoe was 
easily maneuvered when propelled by 
paddling as it floated at a shallow draft; this 
makes the canoe adequate for use on 
shallow water bodies such as ponds and 
reservoirs. The craft, because of its easy 
maneuverability, can also be used on 
shallow water bodies for recreational 
activities such as, sport fishing and 
canoeing. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
The expanding human population increases 
food need, scarcity sets in and there was 
need to go beyond the shallow waters and 
sea shores to collect more foodstuffs and 
there were needs to preserve aquatic 
products for future use. It became desirable 
to go to any part of the water bodies to catch 
fish in large quantities where they were 
found. This necessity led to the discovery of 
simple waterborne crafts that can be used for 
mobility on water (fishing crafts), hence 
increasing the areas where exploitation of 
aquatic resources can be carried out. A 
Fishing craft can be described as a floating 
plat-form used to transport the crew, gear, 
and cargo to and from the fishing ground 
and to support the crew and equipment 
during fishing operation (NRC, 1988).  
Fish farming in these enclosed water bodies 
requires an adequate management practice 
which includes removal of unwanted 
floating objects, aeration of oxygen depleted 
ponds, collection of water samples for water 
quality assessments, feeding of experimental 
fish in net hapa etc. These activities could be 
achieved more effectively with the aid of a 
small craft that could be used on a shallow 
water body. This work was prompted by the 
need for a craft that is cheap, potable and 
could be used on shallow water bodies, with 
the following objectives:-  
- Produce a craft that is cheap, potable 
and could be used effectively on a 
shallow water body.  
- Enhance aquaculture activities in 
ponds, reservoirs, raceways and 
other enclosed water bodies, thereby 
ensuring increased fish production. 
 
MATERIALS AND METHODS 
Design 
The design data was obtained from the free 
hand sketch of the canoe, which was drawn 
with a HB pencil, putting in place all the 
required design lines and making all 
18 Abubakar S. & Adamu R. FISON EKO 2010 
 
ISSN: 1117-3149                   PROCEEDINGS OF FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) ASCON, BADAGRY 25th-29th OCTOBER 2010 FSN-AQ 0004 
 
necessary adjustments. A metre rule was 
used to measure the specifications of the 
free hand sketch in accordance with Love 
(1979). The design data was then used to 
draw the canoe to scale (1:15.3) using 
drawing instruments. The design guideline 
according to Chapelle, (1956) was used. 
The canoe’s layout was drawn on a sheet of 
plywood maintaining the required sizes and 
shape of each part that needed to be put 
together to make the complete canoe.  Lines 
were drawn to divide the plywood sheet into 
eight equal squares, each 600 mm x 600 
mm. Points A, B, C, D, E and F were 
Measured and mark on the lines according 
to the measurements given in the drawing. 
This was achieved by using a long wooden 
curve batten to aid making of proper curved 
line with a HB pencil. First a line was drawn 
lengthwise in the middle of the plywood 
sheet. From this centerline, measurements 
and marks of the bottom on one end of the 
sheet was made according to the 
requirements. The side curve was lofted on 
one side only, and then the measurements 
were mark with small dots on the other side. 
Then measured and marked the transom on 
the other end of the sheet. The transom and 
bottom meet, there were no left over 
plywood between them.  
 
Construction 
Cutting out the parts  
The marked plywood served as the screeve-
board for the construction. A jig saw was 
used to saw along the lofted side of the 
bottom. Then the side strip was flipped over, 
onto the other side of the sheet, and the other 
edge of the bottom along the sawn edge of 
the side. The drawn curve was checked to 
confirm if it matches the measured points. 
The other edge of the bottom was then cut. 
The six pieces of plywood: The bottom and 
two strips each for the sides of rather 
nonspecific shape were produced. The side 
strips were cut in two, 1200mm from the 
end. The pieces were swapped, and wider 
ends of the strips were connected using butt 
joints. 
 
Fixing of the cut pieces 
To the bottom strip hard wood blocks were 
fixed 200cm apart, and then the side strips 
were stitched after glue was applied and 
small screws were used to fasten the joints. 
The sides were first put together with the 
butt blocks, then the bottom and sides using 
the 50mm x 50mm blocks and screws. The 
gunwales, and strips in place of transoms are 
25mm x 25mm pine. The quarter knees have 
been glued on top of the gunwale battens. 
25mm thick hardwood was then prepared 
and fixed as seating platform (thwart). The 
gunwales were made of 21 x 21 mm pine 
batten and fixed together with the quarter 
knees. Quarter knees in the stern and bow 
were fitted to act as handles, and they make 
the canoe look nice.                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Finishing  
After completing the main construction, a 
paste of saw dust and glue was used to seal 
off the seams for water tightness. The hull of 
the craft was sanded off thoroughly then 
cleaned with a rag to prepare a good surface 
for painting. After sanding, emulsion paint 
was applied as primer then three coats of oil 
gloss paint was used to paint the craft 
allowing one coat to dry before applying the 
next.  
 
DETERMINATION OF 
SPECIFICATIONS 
Light Displacement 
The light displacement (weight empty) was 
determined by direct measurement of weight 
of the canoe after construction using a 
spring weighing balance.  
Deadweight (capacity) 
The capacity of the canoe was determined 
by direct addition of weight to the canoe 
while floating on water until it carried the 
maximum weight it could carry. 
Displacement  
Displacement was determined according to 
Teale (1981),  
19 Development Of 2.14 M One Sheet Canoe (Sampan) For Pond Activities FISON EKO 2010 
 
ISSN: 1117-3149                  PROCEEDINGS OF FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) ASCON, BADAGRY 25th-29th OCTOBER 2010 FSN-AQ 0004 
Cost Estimate 
The cost of the canoe was estimated based 
on the local market cost of materials used 
for the construction in respect of their sizes 
and specifications. 
Testing the Canoe 
The canoe was gently placed on water then 
allowed to float empty, while being 
observed for leakage, stability, and draft. 
The capacity was then tested for by allowing 
one person at a time, until it carried the 
maximum weight it could carry.  
 
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 
The design sketch (scale drawing) of the 
canoe obtained from the freehand sketch is 
shown in figure 1. The layout design of the 
components on a sheet of plywood is shown 
in figure 2. Table 1 shows the design data 
obtained from the free hand sketch. The 
specifications of the canoe (Table 2), 
indicates that the breadth overall (BOA) is 
0.75 m, the length overall is 2.14 m, while 
the depth was 0.37 m. Scantling sizes and 
cost of construction of the canoe is 
presented in Table 3. When the canoe was 
placed on water, it floated at a shallow draft 
of 5.5 cm with stable equilibrium (Plate 2), 
whereas the draft was 19 cm while carrying 
a maximum of 3 persons of about 70 kg 
average weight.  
The specifications of the canoe indicates that 
the breadth overall (BOA) is 0.81 m which 
is about 34% of the length overall (LOA), 
while the depth was 0.35metre about 43% of 
the BOA. These specifications are within the 
range of design guidelines according to 
Chapelle, (1956), The construction resulted 
to the production of a canoe that has the fore 
and aft look alike. The canoe is light in 
weight (25kg) in relation to its size, such 
that one person can carry without difficulty. 
The light weight gives the canoe increased 
dead weight, as it floats at a shallow draft 
leaving greater part of the canoe above the 
water line as free board there by increasing 
its capacity to carry more load. The 
construction process utilized a sheet of 
plywood leaving no leftovers, so the work 
achieved maximum utilization of materials. 
The cost of construction was N10, 000, 
which is affordable in relation to the cost of 
local canoe of same size based on the 
national survey of fishing crafts (NIFFR, 
2002). The canoe was easily maneuvered 
when propelled by paddling as it floated at a 
shallow draft; this makes the canoe adequate 
for use on shallow water bodies such as 
ponds and reservoirs.  
Such easily maneuvered craft can also be 
used on pond or reservoirs for recreation 
which include, sport fishing and canoeing.
 
 
 
 
Fig. 1: Design Sketch                                                                             Fig. 2: Design Layout 
 
 
 
 
20 Abubakar S. & Adamu R. FISON EKO 2010 
 
ISSN: 1117-3149                   PROCEEDINGS OF FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) ASCON, BADAGRY 25th-29th OCTOBER 2010 FSN-AQ 0004 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plate 2: Completed canoe being tested 
 
 
 
CONCLUSION AND 
RECOMMENDATION 
The craft (Sampan) have light weight, least 
cost, ability to float at a Shallow draft, 
adequate stability and easy maneuverability 
as its attributes. These important qualities 
are adequate for a craft needed for activities 
on shallow water bodies. This craft is 
recommended for use on fish ponds, 
reservoirs and any other large aquaculture 
system. It is also recommended for use on 
less turbulent inland water bodies, hence it 
can be introduced to fishermen operating on 
calm water bodies as a replacement of the 
locally built canoes. It is recommended that 
same technology be used to construct larger 
canoes for use on bigger water bodies, to 
replace those local canoes that are 
characterized by short lifespan and low 
capacities.   
 
REFERENCES 
Chapelle, H. I. (1956). Boat building, a 
handbook of wooden boat 
construction, Bradford and Dicken 
Publishers, Great Britain. Pp.27- 48, 
235 p. 
Love G. (1979) The theory and practice of 
woodwork. Longman Publishers, 
London, 4
th
 ed. 156p. 
National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries 
Research (2002), National Survey of 
Fishing gears and Crafts on Nigerian 
Inland Water Bodies. National 
Institute for Freshwater Fisheries 
Research Occasional paper No: 4.  
New-Bussa, Nigeria. 
National Research Council (1988) Fisheries 
technology for developing countries 
Report of an ad-hoc panel of the 
board for science and  technology 
for international development 
National Research Council 
Washington DC.168p 
Omorodion, S. O. (1983). Construction of 
7.3 m canoe.  Annual report of  
Kainji lake Research Institute. 
PP.91-98 
Teale J. (1981) The wonderful world of 
flaties, motor boat and yachting, I. P. 
C. Transport Press LTD, Surrey.
 
 
 
 
Plate 1: Fixing the gunwale                          
   
21 Development Of 2.14 M One Sheet Canoe (Sampan) For Pond Activities FISON EKO 2010 
 
ISSN: 1117-3149                  PROCEEDINGS OF FISHERIES SOCIETY OF NIGERIA (FISON) ASCON, BADAGRY 25th-29th OCTOBER 2010 FSN-AQ 0004 
 
 
 
 
Table 1: Design data  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2: Specifications of the Canoe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 3: Cost implications for boat construction 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Design ordinates                                Sections 
                                           FP      1          2           3            AP   
Keel/chine HA/B        0.46    0.052   0.026    0.052     0.46 
Chine H/B                   0.14    0.156   0.195    0.156     0.14 
Sheer HA/B                 0.46    0.43     0.39       0.43      0.46 
Sheer H/B                    0.14    0.235   0.28      0.235     0.14 
     Design ordinates                                Sections 
                                           FP      1          2           3            AP   
Keel/chine HA/B        0.46    0.052   0.026    0.052     0.46 
Chine H/B                   0.14    0.156   0.195    0.156     0.14 
Sheer HA/B                 0.46    0.43     0.39       0.43      0.46 
Sheer H/B                    0.14    0.235   0.28      0.235     0.14 
Length overall (LOA) 2.14m 
Breadth overall (BOA) 0.81m 
Moulded depth 0.37m 
Draft 5.5cm 
Light displacement 28.5kg 
Displacement 228.5 
Deadweight (capacity) 200kg (3 prs) 
Scale 1:15.3 
Material Size Qty Unit Unit 
price 
Amount 
N 
Plywood 6mm 1 Sht 2500.00 2,500.00 
Hardwood 25X25mm 1 No 800.00 800.00 
Screw 25mm 2 pkt 250.00 500.00 
Screw 35mm 1 pkt 300.00 300.00 
Screw 45mm 1 pkt 350.00 350.00 
Wire nail Assorted 2 lb 200.00 400.00 
Glue 1kg 1
1
/2 kg 400.00 600.00 
Paint brush 4” 1 No 100.00 100.00 
Primer 
paint 
4lt 
 
¼
 lt 1000.00 250.00 
Gloss paint 4lt 
¼
 lt 2000.00 500.00 
Labour cost                                                                   3,700.00 
TOTAL                                                                        10,000                                                                                                              


Development of 2.14 M one sheet canoe (SAMPAN) for pond activities

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Development of 2.14 M one sheet canoe (SAMPAN) for pond activities

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