Fairly avid paddler, traditionally have been using an old aluminum that got the job done for me, however near the end of last summer I noticed a cedar strip for sale on the classifieds here at work. One of the Doctors at the hospital was selling an old cedar strip, in much need of some TLC, for a very reasonable price. After a few emails I was sold. Made the 5 hour round trip to pick it up within the week. Despite appearances it was still very much water worthy and I did get to enjoy it a good number of times last season as is. The craft was huge compared to the old aluminum we were using before, and incredibly steady on the water (a must as my finance and I almost always bring the dog out on the water who just loves it).
Now the canoe has been in storage in the barn back home for the winter, and looking ahead to spring I'm finally ready to take some action. As mentioned before, there are no ribs which makes this project a little easier. The entire thing does have a fiberglass coating (inside and out, as I've heard that surfacing only one side poses issues) but it will definitely need all new gunwales and to replace at least one seat. I am not a wood worker by any means at all, though at the same time not my first time with tools either. Looking at the project ahead, from what I can see I'll be stretching my knowledge but not completely over my head. Pictures of the canoe as were sent to me before purchase here.
After calling a local dealer (trail head for anyone near Ottawa) I will likely have to wait until May or so before I can get my hands on a new set of gunwales for replacement, as well as the seat. In the meantime I plan to set up shop in the next few weeks and make a brace to store the canoe on, remove the gunwales and broken seat, and look at sanding down the body. This brings me to my first question, What options are available to me when looking to refinish the body of the canoe? As seen in the pics attached, some of the pain and look etc of the body is pretty patchy. Ideally you would like to sand down and re stain/varnish the wood, but with a fiberglass coating this is out of the question. I care more about function than style, but hey if you can get it style is always good right? Any tips, advice etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!
Evan
Now the canoe has been in storage in the barn back home for the winter, and looking ahead to spring I'm finally ready to take some action. As mentioned before, there are no ribs which makes this project a little easier. The entire thing does have a fiberglass coating (inside and out, as I've heard that surfacing only one side poses issues) but it will definitely need all new gunwales and to replace at least one seat. I am not a wood worker by any means at all, though at the same time not my first time with tools either. Looking at the project ahead, from what I can see I'll be stretching my knowledge but not completely over my head. Pictures of the canoe as were sent to me before purchase here.
After calling a local dealer (trail head for anyone near Ottawa) I will likely have to wait until May or so before I can get my hands on a new set of gunwales for replacement, as well as the seat. In the meantime I plan to set up shop in the next few weeks and make a brace to store the canoe on, remove the gunwales and broken seat, and look at sanding down the body. This brings me to my first question, What options are available to me when looking to refinish the body of the canoe? As seen in the pics attached, some of the pain and look etc of the body is pretty patchy. Ideally you would like to sand down and re stain/varnish the wood, but with a fiberglass coating this is out of the question. I care more about function than style, but hey if you can get it style is always good right? Any tips, advice etc would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!
Evan