need help applying canvas

[jletsche]

Hi,

I'm putting canvas on my 1944 old town HW. Things went pretty well until I got to the ends. With the rocker in the canoe, it looks like I have to slit the canvas almost 3 feet back to take up the slack. Also, I have folds at the last tack that will not come out. I've attached pictures, any ideas about how to proceeded?

Thanks,
John.

 

[Andre Cloutier]

You're almost there. Now you need to roll it over, slit along the bottom and fasten, then fasten the stems while drawing tight longitudinally over the stem. Then using stretching pliers pull up as you work back along the gunwale, and you will need to redo a few to get the wrinkles out. Tension is critical, I use sheet metal pliers to stretch.