I enter this community in full knowledge that my current restoration project is contrary to what I've read about restoring canvas canoes. I think I am an apostate to many, or soon will be. Maybe this is my confession as I know that when my restoration is finished many will look at my work and ask this honest and simple question, "Now tell me, why did you fiberglass this beautiful boat instead of re-canvas it? A shame." To which I will probably say, "I just wanted to. I meant no disregard to the nostalgia and heritage that this boat perhaps deserves."
Honestly though. I am committed and in the middle of glassing a 1974 Old Town Guide 16. Sorry. The canvas was shot and the wood was in such good shape I thought I'd make it look like the glassed version of the currently offered glassed boat that Old Town offers. I have nothing against recanvasing other than it's beyond my skill set and I am more accustomed to glassing. With that said, a nice gentleman stopped by my house today as he saw my boat dryng in my garage from its second fill coat of epoxy and said he was a member of this fine association. He was nice and honest and did say that my method was "anti" to the norm. I agreed with him. I had to leave but wished I had more time to pass some questions on to him. He seemed genuine and experienced. So maybe someone could offer me any advice without accosting me for my known deviation from the norm. Here are some questions:
What are the limitations to this canoe being glassed? I want the hard honest truth. I can take it.
And if it's not the norm, how does Old Town get away with selling an $8,000 glassed wood canoe?
At Island Falls Canoe, the gentleman said to use a calking compound (filling compound?) after I re-attach the keel to seal it in. Any suggestions? Is there a marine calk that would be sufficient for this?
I'd like to make a planked floor (if that's what it's called that I've seen on some Old Town canoes) to protect the bottom that would be removable. Any wood types that are best for that?
Thanks for your time. I look forward to reading your thoughts and ideas, however shameful they might rightfully be. I respect all that I've read so far in other posts.
kjg
Honestly though. I am committed and in the middle of glassing a 1974 Old Town Guide 16. Sorry. The canvas was shot and the wood was in such good shape I thought I'd make it look like the glassed version of the currently offered glassed boat that Old Town offers. I have nothing against recanvasing other than it's beyond my skill set and I am more accustomed to glassing. With that said, a nice gentleman stopped by my house today as he saw my boat dryng in my garage from its second fill coat of epoxy and said he was a member of this fine association. He was nice and honest and did say that my method was "anti" to the norm. I agreed with him. I had to leave but wished I had more time to pass some questions on to him. He seemed genuine and experienced. So maybe someone could offer me any advice without accosting me for my known deviation from the norm. Here are some questions:
What are the limitations to this canoe being glassed? I want the hard honest truth. I can take it.
And if it's not the norm, how does Old Town get away with selling an $8,000 glassed wood canoe?
At Island Falls Canoe, the gentleman said to use a calking compound (filling compound?) after I re-attach the keel to seal it in. Any suggestions? Is there a marine calk that would be sufficient for this?
I'd like to make a planked floor (if that's what it's called that I've seen on some Old Town canoes) to protect the bottom that would be removable. Any wood types that are best for that?
Thanks for your time. I look forward to reading your thoughts and ideas, however shameful they might rightfully be. I respect all that I've read so far in other posts.
kjg