1915 OT Floor Rack? Requesting photos and dimensions

[Douglas Kestell]

As spring is nearly here in Wisconsin, it’s time to get to finishing the 1915 OT Charles River I’ve been working on.

Per the original build sheet (thank you Benson) it had a floor rack. The original is long gone.

Could someone provide a photo and a few dimensions for a floor rack.

I am assuming they are 1 unit with several thin slats but I’m not sure of the slat dimensions (width and thickness) and how far they extend. I am guessing from maybe just under the stern seat to in front of the bow seat, but not sure.

Also, we’re these removable? How were they attached?

Thank you

 

[Rod Tait (Orca Boats)]

just so happens one is in my shop now. 6 slats - 3 per side. 1.5 inches wide by probably 3/16 thick. Mostly full length. spacing at center 3/4 inch and taper closer together at ends. Tacked to cross pieces that lay between ribs and held down via brass turn buckle so removable. The brass plates are for joints in slats.

 

[Rod Tait (Orca Boats)]

Anyone care to look up the serial number as I only have Canadian catalogues on file

 

[Douglas Kestell]

Awesome! Thank you!

As for the serial number, have you reached out to Benson?

 

[David Satter]

Yes, about 6 slats about 12 inches wide in middle and about 8 inches wide at the ends. On the one I just made 3 slats under to fit between the ribs and held down with pieces of brass stem band. Also held to the inside stem with same. I screw them together so I can assemble them in the canoe.

 

[Douglas Kestell]

Thank you David - clever.

Are they made of Cedar?

 

[Dave Osborn]

For material, i normally use pine, although I did make one set out of mahogany to gussy it up a little.
I purchase “select grade” 2x4s and rip them lengthwise. The width is about perfect for the slats.
I usually steam and bend the cross pieces to fit where they need to go, primarily near each end.
I’ve screwed them together and I’ve also clinched escutcheon pins to attach the slats to the cross pieces.

 

[David Satter]

I made them last week from spruce, because that's what I had on hand. I had to make 2 last week. For the bottom cross braces I lay a piece of wood between the ribs and trace/ run a pencil along the rib tops to get the curve and I cut that curve. Steaming them is nice but I never seem to get that curve to lay perfect.

 

[Dan Miller]

I believe the originals would have been either spruce or mahogany. Most likely, the slats were made from scraps left over from milling gunwales.

Also, the brass turnbuckles were simply scrap stem band pieces screwed to a scrap of cedar.