Restoration of Prospector?

[Outback Mack]

Hello, I'm just starting to restore a 16ft prospector and instead of recanvassing the canoe. I would like to use a 6oz. fiberglass cloth instead of canvas. Any suggestions on how to fill the small gaps between the planks,do I fill with wood slivers, caulking, or any other product? Or can I leave these gaps open? Outback Mack

[davelanthier]

There are a lot of folks that will gladly trade their fiberglass canoe for yours so why bother.

[Outback Mack]

Hello Dave, I have the old canvas already removed and thought it would be cheaper and lighter and have experience with fiberglas cloth when constructing my 15ft bobs special stripper.

[NedL]

Someone did that years ago to a Thompson canoe I have.....wish they didn't. :(

There are a number of resaonable reasons why that isn't such a good idea.

[Martin Dumas]

Pros and cons of fiberglassing are often discussed here. See the following thread:

http://forums.wcha.org/showthread.php?t=655&highlight=fiberglass

Martin

[myles]

Hello, I'm just starting to restore a 16ft prospector and instead of recanvassing the canoe. I would like to use a 6oz. fiberglass cloth instead of canvas. Any suggestions on how to fill the small gaps between the planks,do I fill with wood slivers, caulking, or any other product? Or can I leave these gaps open? Outback Mack


Mack: canvas and the so called dope that makes it tough and waterproof are flexable. just like the wood that baks up the skin.The sealer is a schalac type product. Don't deviate from the instructions.
myles

[myles]

Hi Mack
Canvas is absolutly the material to use. Like the wood that the canoe is built from canvas is flexable. The sealer that keeps it tough and waterproof is a shelac product and so is also flexable. Use stainless steel staples. I did my canoe a few years ago and it was pretty easy. Much easier than brass tacks because one can easily pull the staples if more streching is neccesary.
good luck
myles

[Outback Mack]

Hello Myles & Martin,

Thanks guys for the info on canvas and repairs,will decide if I will use canvas or the lighter fiberglas.

outback mack

[Dave Wermuth]

Glass is not lighter, It is heavier. And it really messes up the rib/plank canoe. it is suited to well strippers. Check out the other discussions on 'glassing a rib/plank canoe.
I have some experience with 'glassed Old Towns etc.
If you want lighter, then consider using a dacron covering.
I am currently working on an Old Town for a friend. It had been restored a few years ago and the restorer used 'glass on the outside. he was a pretty good woodworker and the 'glass job was pretty well done but that canoe really sufferred. It necessitated new stems and decks, new in/outwhales, and I milled ALL new planking. All but about 10 ribs will be replaced. it is an arduos task for an amatuer such as myself.

If you 'glass it figure on a heavier canoe with a shorter life expectancy. having done both canvassing and 'glassing I can say that canvassing is easier to do and by a good margin.

let us know how it goes.
Regards. Dave.