MGC, point taken about assuming logging usage. I understand others utilized hob-nails. At this point, I'll tentatively call this canoe a MacKenzie-modified Great White likely previously used as an ancillary logger transporter, understanding the original builder and usage are uncertain. Of course, I find it really neat that Tom MacKenzie modified this canoe and kept it for a long time and I'd love to hear if anyone remembers using it at WCHA or other functions, but these discussions about the canoe's original builder and original usage have been educational and entertaining. If only those ribs and planks could talk..... (I guess y'all have wished that a lot). If and when it becomes necessary, I will endeavor to remove the current canvas and apply a new one. At that time, I may bug you knowledgeable fellows again to take a look at the planking from the exterior. I really hope that is far in the future (when I have more time and patience).
I greatly appreciate you guys assisting me on this research. If I find out more about this canoe's history, I'll definitely post here.
At this point, I am turning to care and maintenance of the canoe. I don't do much forum posting, so I am unclear on the protocol (whether I should create a new thread for this, since we are already under the Maintenance and Construction section heading).
Hull Treatment
I would really like to apply whatever I can to this canoe's hull to help protect it. Here in the South we have red staining mud and I'd like to get a good coat of something on this canoe before I take it out, if reasonably possible. In researching hull maintenance, I did not find many posts here (I probably don't know the best search terms). I see a very recent discussion entitled "How much varnish is too much...", in which MGC states a warmed blend of turpentine, mineral spirits and BLO is a proper treatment for the hull, as may be other blends of BLO, tung oil, etc. Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best brands (American-made, preferably), where to purchase from, percentages of each oil in the concoction, different concoctions, temperature at application, application technique, etc. they will share?
I am also interested in how to touch-up the paint (what type of paint to use) and how concerned I should be about the cracked ribs. I'd hate to step through or otherwise damage the canoe because I did not replace a simple cracked rib.
I hope to get the canoe in the water for a simple shakedown this weekend, if the weather is nice and all else aligns. If anyone sees any problem with just dropping this thing in a deep lake, I'd love to know what that is. I can swim; my concern is protecting and preserving the canoe. I assume it is appropriate to pull it onto muddy and sandy banks and that I should avoid hitting anything in the water, but, being brand-new, I'll gladly take anyone's 2 or more cents they are willing to share about how to maintain and operate these wood and canvas canoes.