B.N. Morris Canvasing at the Sheer

[Paul Scheuer]

I'm far from the canvasing stage, and I know I've got a lot to learn. I am at a stage where I'm preparing to trim the sheer planking that I have replaced, and have questions. The attached sketch shows the section view of the rail construction. The sketch shows the rabetted outwale fitting over the top of the sheer plank at the center of the boat. The treatment at the peak is different, as the rabett disappears.

I have replaced virtually all of the top of the sheer planking. Entire planks in some places and the top inch or so in other places.

My question about the eventual canvassing is; Will the filled canvas be lapped over the top of the planking and be visible at the joint between the outwale and the ribs, or will the filled canvas be trimmed at the top edge of the sheer plank ?

 

[MGC]

You will trim the filled canvas at the top of the shear plank. It will be covered by the outside rail if you have an open gunwale canoe and byt the outside rail and the rail cap if it is closed.
Trimming the canvas is a really fundamental step, but for some reason it causes heart palpitations to take a very sharp knife to a boat that is that close to done. If you ever saw Robin Williams do his golf skit, you would laugh to recall his explanation for calling a golf shot a stroke, "because you feel like your going to have a (special Robin graphic language inserted here) *****stroke each (more graphic language) **** time".