Nick Dennis
WCHA UK
Over the last weekend during our WCHA-UK Chapter paddle weekend I went and met a gentleman at Wargrave on the River Thames. The outcome of the meeting was that he very generously gifted to me the canoe which Henri Vailanncourt built for him in 1987. He hadn’t used it for 15 years and wishes for it to be repaired but more importantly used. The canoe was dry stored in a barn for 15 years.
I drove home with it in the rain yesterday and today gave it a thorough wash with water from our rainwater butt, The canoe had 15 years worth of dust and bird poop. Below are some photos but on my initial assessment what I can see is:
What I may do is take it to the river nearby and see where it leaks. Rainwater collected in the hull last night and did not leak out. I need it to take on some moisture from the atmosphere so for the time being it has been moved to an open sided covered gazebo where it will be out of the sun and rain.
I am in contact with Henri about how to repair appropriately. Obviously here in the UK popping out to get some rendered Bear fat and split spruce roots is not easily done so we may need to find some local alternatives. This is one of a pair of Henri's canoes which we have found in the UK. Both have similar issues and hopefully we can support each other in the repair process.
I will treat the woodworm soon with some proprietary treatment so that it doesn’t get any worse. Both ben who has the other canoe and I wonder if there is a knack to get the rail caps off which are fitted over the lashings and secured with what appear to be tapered nails.
Welcome aboard for the ride as I progress this!
Nick
I drove home with it in the rain yesterday and today gave it a thorough wash with water from our rainwater butt, The canoe had 15 years worth of dust and bird poop. Below are some photos but on my initial assessment what I can see is:
- Minor woodworm to the rails
- Some of the lashings have snapped
- A couple of ribs at either end have moved as you can see ghosting on the planking. The ribs are however tight.
- Tape and gum/sap resin at ends lifting in places
- Gum/ resin over the gores may be cracked?
What I may do is take it to the river nearby and see where it leaks. Rainwater collected in the hull last night and did not leak out. I need it to take on some moisture from the atmosphere so for the time being it has been moved to an open sided covered gazebo where it will be out of the sun and rain.
I am in contact with Henri about how to repair appropriately. Obviously here in the UK popping out to get some rendered Bear fat and split spruce roots is not easily done so we may need to find some local alternatives. This is one of a pair of Henri's canoes which we have found in the UK. Both have similar issues and hopefully we can support each other in the repair process.
I will treat the woodworm soon with some proprietary treatment so that it doesn’t get any worse. Both ben who has the other canoe and I wonder if there is a knack to get the rail caps off which are fitted over the lashings and secured with what appear to be tapered nails.
Welcome aboard for the ride as I progress this!
Nick
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