We're building a traditional hide boat to race 700km on the Yukon river !

A community project is on the go to build a hand-crafted, hide-covered boat inspired by traditional Irish curraghs - and preparing to take down 700 km of river in the 2026 Yukon river Quest race.

This is not a modern racing boat. No fiberglass, no plastic. Just a wooden frame, natural materials and human endurance.

THE PROJECT

The frame is already under construction, build by Andrew Robinson, a trained boat builder with a background in traditional craft.

The design is based on historical curragh boats - light, flexible, and entirely covered in hides.

We're adapting that design to the Yukon river : cold water, long distance, and no margin for failure. In any case, if we cannot make it in time for this year's edition, we would take our time and enter the following one.

Where we are stuck

We need 12 hides. We had a sponsor lined up, but they pulled out at the last minute and could only provide one.

We are also waiting on a micro credit Grant, hoping for 5000 dollars. We'll have the answer in the next days and this description will be updated as soon as we have informations.

This leaves us 11 hides short. We found a supplier in Calgary, who has 12 buffalo hides on his hand right now.

WHAT WE ARE RISING FUNDS FOR

Every dollar goes directly into making this boat river-ready and getting it to the start line.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Most boats in the race are built from modern petrochemical materials. We're choosing a different path.

This is an experiment as much as a challenge : can a hide boat hold its own over 700km+ of one of the hardest river races in the world ?

AN OPEN BUILD

This is not a closed workshop. We are opening the build to anyone who wants to take part :

If you're local and want to get involved, you're welcome

SUPPORT THE BUILD

Right now, everything depends on those remaining hides. If we get them, the boat gets finished. We can make it to the starting line.

Help us take a traditional boat into a modern endurance race.

Come and find us by the Yukon Rose boat, right in front of it, across the street from the fire hall, on the dike.

EDIT : Friday, May 8th, 2026

We received so far 725 dollars. It is enough to buy one buffalo hide (549 CAD) plus shipping (estimated around 147 CAD) . We are ordering one hide right away (706 CAD in total) so we can make sure this is the right thickness and the right material for our project. Will share receipt and picture of the hide upon reception. Thank you so much for your help and support !