Glen L Rob Roy 14ft Custom Built Wooden Boat

The Rob Roy is a legendary decked canoe design inspired by the historic canoe voyages of John MacGregor in the nineteenth century. Named after his famous canoe, the Rob Roy became a symbol of adventure, exploration, and refined small craft design. With its slim beam, partially decked configuration, and efficient double paddle propulsion, the Rob Roy blends elegance with practicality, offering a distinctive silhouette that remains admired by classic boat enthusiasts worldwide. Our workshop faithfully recreates this iconic canoe using premium marine materials including Western Red Cedar, Mahogany, and Teak, reinforced with U.S. made Hexcel fiberglass and finished with System Three marine spar varnish. Each vessel is entirely hand built using the traditional plank on frame method, carefully shaped to preserve the narrow waterline, smooth entry, and balanced tracking that define the Rob Roy's character. The decked sections are precisely crafted to enhance both aesthetics and structural integrity. Typical build time is approximately 3 to 4 months depending on customization. Clients may tailor dimensions, wood species, deck layout, cockpit detailing, finish tone, and interior trim to reflect personal preferences, creating a bespoke version of this historic expedition canoe. Specifications - Length overall: 14ft - Beam: 29" - Depth amidships (approx.): 11" - Depth max. (approx.): 11" - Weight (varies with plywood used): 40-45 lbs. Performance and Use The Rob Roy is designed for lakes, rivers, and sheltered coastal waters where efficient touring and graceful movement are paramount. Its narrow hull allows smooth forward glide with a double paddle, while the decked configuration provides added protection in light chop. Ideal for expedition style paddling, heritage boat events, or refined recreational cruising, it delivers a responsive yet composed ride that honors its adventurous origins. This wooden boat crafted by us is built from Glen-l, with full credit given to the original designers where applicable. For each custom commission, we acquire the appropriate plans and construct the vessel to order, offering both full size boats and finely detailed scale models. Contact us to explore specifications, customization options, and build schedules for your Rob Roy. The Rob Roy canoe traces its origins to the pioneering voyages of John MacGregor in the 1860s. Inspired by traditional Inuit kayaks, MacGregor designed a lightweight, decked canoe that he named "Rob Roy." In 1865, he embarked on remarkable journeys across European waterways, including the River Thames and rivers throughout France, Germany, and Scandinavia. His published travel accounts captured public imagination and helped spark a canoeing movement across Britain and beyond. The Rob Roy design became a symbol of adventure, independence, and exploration. Its combination of seaworthiness, portability, and elegance influenced modern canoe and kayak development. Today, the Rob Roy remains an icon of early recreational paddling and a tribute to the spirit of 19th-century exploration.