Freighter Canoe question

[Rod Tait (Orca Boats)]

I have done a few freighter canoes over the years, but this 20 foot Chestnut "beast" is a bit different. Others I have done have canvas tacked to transom and then a second layer of wood over that, like a double layer transom. On this one, it appears that the canvas was tacked to the framing inside the transom and then the transom was attached. Then it had a second sort of "fashion piece" outside of that held in place with a lot of bolts. Not sure if any of it was original as the transom is plywood, but the internal framing looks to be. First photo shows it before taking transom off and then you can see in second photo where the canvas was attached as per the white bedding compound. Family are original owners and plan to take it down the Yukon River next summer.
Thoughts

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Same as mine, all original. Plywood, any good marine grade will be better than the original. Post some pics of it finished,
cheers,

 

[Rod Tait (Orca Boats)]

So on yours, the canvas goes inside transom and then transom goes on? Plywood transom is still good to put back on, but I will be making new ash outer ring for the outside as in first photo.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Yup, the outer ring really is just to support the transom, which is of course doubled at the top. usually they see a 9.9 or bigger outboard, my peterborough has a solid wood transom and would get lower horsepower so no outer ring. Get them to pop for new plywood, the grain opens up and its all dried out. nice half sheet of mahogany!
.

 

[Louis Michaud]

Some pictures of a freighter restored with all original wood I was told. I have 2 Gadabouts: a 16 ft and a 18 ft. The 16ft, probably 1950ish, had an inner framing ring, solid oak 1 in transom and an outer framing ring. The canvas was tacked between the transom and the outer framing. Everything seemed to be original. The 18 ft, probably 1970s, had an inner framing ring, plywood transom and outer framing ring. Canvas had been replaced by fiberglass. Can't find the Gadabout pictures. So it seems that inner framing-transom-outer framing was standard at Chestnut. I like the canvas sandwiched between the outer framing and the transom better.

 

[Rod Tait (Orca Boats)]

Yup. That is exactly what she looks like. Thanks for those photos. Interior is the same but there was also another piece of ply on the transom where a motor would go. Was not sure if all the bolts were original, but appears they are. I am now confident that she will go back together as it came.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

totally original down to the loose and sagging canvas!

 

[Andre Cloutier]

really neat cover came with it, zipper for the driver when it gets rough lol

 

[MGC]

A tonneau for a canoe! Nice. You need some wires and knockoffs on the trailer.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

Nah, these haha

 

[Louis Michaud]

Pictures of the Gadabout frames. Yes, a lot of bolts! One has a simple butt joint and the other a half-lap joint.

 

[cwf]

Nah, these haha

View attachment 59661

Are these WW1 artillery wheels?