Caffeinated
Curious about Wooden Canoes
This Chestnut (A 1967 Playmate, from what I can discern from the measurements — 14 ft by 32 in. x 12 in and the 2-3/8 inch ribs) has been in my family since the early 1970s when my mother bought it new. She actually bid for it on the Channel 2 Auction (WGBH Boston) and if you remember a show back then called "Zoom," you may be interested (you may not) to know that part of the cast of the show sat in this canoe while they were auctioning it off. My mother paid $200 in 1972, which I estimate to be around half price for a comparable canoe at the time. ($1,020 in today's dollars.)
I love this canoe. But my evil brother neglected it for years and it's in rough shape (not awful, just beat up in spots). Now I want to fix it up. But I don't want to mess it up, so I'll be going slow. I'm pretty handy and I've built my share of furniture and other projects, but I do realize this is a little more craft-y than a lot of the more ham-fisted projects I've tackled. (Like the table in the photo that the canoe is resting on.)
I'm going to order the book on restoration that another user recommended in the forum, But I do have a couple of questions about the restoration that maybe you all can help me with.
1. What grade canvas is preferred for a re-canvassing? Can't seem to find that info anywhere.
2. Two of my planks are a little punky on the outside (canvas side), but are solid on the varnished side. Would you replace it or sand it down, putty it and save it?
3. There are cracked planks in a couple of spots (maybe because of those damn Zoom Kids!). I'm thinking these need to be replaced, but I'm wondering at what point one decides to glue and varnish and live with a small imperfection or two or go for broke and replace the whole plank. These planks are tapered and will require some shaping and care to replace. (See pictures)
4. This canoe has been at my boyhood lake house sine we got it. But we are selling the lake house so I've since brought it to my home on Nantucket Island. Any prohibitions with wood and canvas canoes and salt water? Any special varnish or paint recommendations? (We do have fresh and brackish ponds on the island as well)
5. The interior finish is dirty, but the varnish is not cracked or peeling. I like the patina, so I'm just going to give the interior a sanding and clean it up and then add a new coat or two or three of varnish without stripping it. Thoughts?
6. I think all of the important pieces are re-useable. I'd like to try to keep as much original material as I can. Any benefit to using new stuff on certain parts (like outwhales and the keel)?
7. Have I classified this canoe correctly? It is a Playmate, correct?
I love this canoe. But my evil brother neglected it for years and it's in rough shape (not awful, just beat up in spots). Now I want to fix it up. But I don't want to mess it up, so I'll be going slow. I'm pretty handy and I've built my share of furniture and other projects, but I do realize this is a little more craft-y than a lot of the more ham-fisted projects I've tackled. (Like the table in the photo that the canoe is resting on.)
I'm going to order the book on restoration that another user recommended in the forum, But I do have a couple of questions about the restoration that maybe you all can help me with.
1. What grade canvas is preferred for a re-canvassing? Can't seem to find that info anywhere.
2. Two of my planks are a little punky on the outside (canvas side), but are solid on the varnished side. Would you replace it or sand it down, putty it and save it?
3. There are cracked planks in a couple of spots (maybe because of those damn Zoom Kids!). I'm thinking these need to be replaced, but I'm wondering at what point one decides to glue and varnish and live with a small imperfection or two or go for broke and replace the whole plank. These planks are tapered and will require some shaping and care to replace. (See pictures)
4. This canoe has been at my boyhood lake house sine we got it. But we are selling the lake house so I've since brought it to my home on Nantucket Island. Any prohibitions with wood and canvas canoes and salt water? Any special varnish or paint recommendations? (We do have fresh and brackish ponds on the island as well)
5. The interior finish is dirty, but the varnish is not cracked or peeling. I like the patina, so I'm just going to give the interior a sanding and clean it up and then add a new coat or two or three of varnish without stripping it. Thoughts?
6. I think all of the important pieces are re-useable. I'd like to try to keep as much original material as I can. Any benefit to using new stuff on certain parts (like outwhales and the keel)?
7. Have I classified this canoe correctly? It is a Playmate, correct?