A question for those who have used Dacron instead of canvas...

[Howie]

A few months ago I covered my 13ft OT 50 Pounder with Dacron, and have subsequently used it quite a bit. While I have no serious complaints with the Dacron covering, I have noticed that the bottom of the canoe is now looking 'bumpy'. No doubt this is caused by crud (dirt, sand, etc) falling through the cracks between the planking and onto the Dacron. I figure this crud doesn't cause problems with canvas covered canoes because filled canvas is a whole lot stiffer than Dacron (at least the stuff I used).

As I said, this is my personal canoe, so these bumps don't bother me too much. But I can see how they might be a concern to others. So I've been thinking about what I could do to solve or reduce the problem on future canoes projects.

So, for those who have tried covering with Dacron, have you noticed this bumpy-bottom problem on your canoe? Do let me know what size/weight of Dacron you used as maybe the problem goes away with thicker stuff.

I suppose I could also try to fill in the cracks between the planking. If the cracks are really small to begin with I suppose using one of the thicker varnishes might do the job...

Thoughts?

 

[Dave Osborn]

Dacron will telegraph any anomaly on the hull.
I have no experience with it, but have seen a few. I would hesitate to fill the seams. Whatever you put in the seams is unlikely to stay tight over time.

 

[Worth Gretter]

Howie, I used the 8.4 ounce Dacron and have had no problems, but the canoe hasn't been on the water very much.
What weight did you use?

 

[Rob Stevens]

I canvassed a newly built canoe only to have the kids use it, and climb in with sand and tiny pebbles stuck to their feet. These went through the inevitable spaces between the planking (the cracks are supposed to be there) to telegraph through the filled canvas. My worry was that the filler wasn't hard enough to not permanently take up the imprints. Oh well. And the sand also adds weight to the canoe.
But the sand is also dynamic, like the planking. These features of a wood/canvas canoe require care, and maintenance.
Turn the canoe over when well dried out, and drum on it (using your hands). The sand on the bottom will shift and fall through the cracks.
Many happy returns.

 

[Gil Cramer]

Am finishing a Walter Dean brass battened rowboat. Since the owner intends on using it, heavyweight(13oz) Dacron was used on the bottom up to the rub rails. This is Dacron sailcloth which has not been completely heat shrunk. Applied by hand, it still has enough stretch to conform to the shape of the hull. It does require some heat to tighten in a few spots.

Because of its thickness, it fairs almost as well as #10 canvas. It was filled with latex filler and painted with Rustoleum oil based paint.

 

[Worth Gretter]

Gil, I hope you will post some pictures!