New Robertson

[ticonderoga]

I picked up a Robertson a little while ago and now its time to get going on it. It is #3319, 16 foot, outside stem, keel, closed gunwales and solid seats. There has been work done on it in the past and there are a few things that don't look right to me. First, the decks are replacements, so what is the correct length and width of them. I presume they are the three lobed style. The inner gunwale looks a little big to me, does anyone have the correct measurements of the IG, OG and rail cap or a photo of then so I can scale them. Also the first cant rib on both ends have a "clipped" corner that fits into the IG. It looks odd but it is consistant on all 4 ribs. This canoe was built close to me in the Worcester,Ma area so I want to try to get it as close to original as possible. Thanks for any help, Joe

 

[Paul Scheuer]

Ti:
There might be a clue as to the inwhale dimension in the varnish pattern on the thwarts after you remove one.

 

[ticonderoga]

Thanks I’ll give that a try. It will give me the thickness but not the depth. It’s more than I have now.

 

[Dan Miller]

Why do you think the inwales have been replaced?

 

[ticonderoga]

They look taller than the ones that I have seen pictures of on this site. Mine are almost 1 7/8 tall by 7/8 wide. Are there any old catalogs that have pictures or sizes? The notches for the first cant rib in the inner gunwale isn’t something I have seen before as well.

 

[Dan Miller]

Not having seen something before doesn't mean it isn't right. Inwales on closed-gunwale canoes were often made heavier, as they are sole structural component of the gunwales. If the inwales have been replaced, I would expect to see evidence of refastening and damage to the sheer planks.

 

[ticonderoga]

Thanks for the insight, the sheer planking has been replaced. If these are replacement inners then whoever did them did a great job because the feathered ends of the ribs are in nice shape. I think that I should leave then as they are. Thanks