Otca deck reconstruction

[Michael Graessle]

Happy Holidays to all! I am in the process of restoring/repairing my father’s 1924 OT Otca AA grade. It has been a while since I made any progress, but I think winter is a great time make up for that. I purchased most of the parts that I needed from Island Falls, but neglected some minor items; however, I am not sure on the size to purchase.

What size screws to use for screwing the inwale to the decks?

Does anyone have a couple pictures of how a stem meets/marries up to the inwales and deck? I cannot find any specific for an Otca.

I need to rebuild the stem ends and there is not enough left for me to determine the original configuration.

Thank you in advance for any help and Happy New Year!

 

[dogbrain]

Here's the second part of a good writeup by Mike Elliot with pictures and everything that should show you what you need to know.

Rebuilding the Rotted End in an Old Town OTCA Wood-Canvas Canoe ̶ Part 2

 

[Michael Graessle]

dogbrain, Thank you for the help. My question is does the stem get cut at the BOTTOM of the inwale? or is it INSET? or is it flush on the TOP? It is hard to tell from the pictures. It soes say "The next day, cut the new stem-top to length so it fits snugly under the new inwale-ends." If it is indeed flush with the bottom, this makes me wonder how to attach the stem to the inwales and deck.

I made a .pdf showing what my questions are.

thank you for the help

 

[dogbrain]

I think the stem and inwale a are flush with the bottom of the deck. Maybe send Mike an email and ask what he does for attachment and report back here. I've asked him questions before and he is very willing to share.

 

[dogbrain]

I meant to say that the top of stem is flush with the bottom of the inwales and deck.

 

[samb]

When I took apart this one, (1930, 18') it looked like the stems were cut to fit under the stems. That is how I replaced them I think.
There is a write up and pictures here.
Sam

 

[dogbrain]

Sam, Did you fasten the inwales or deck to the stem with something?

 

[samb]

Looking back through all my photos, I can't see anything fastening to the stem. I don't remember clearly but think I must have at least had a notch to locate everything. The planking seems to be the bit that fixes every thing in place. I've had a look through the photos I have for my 18'HW and this shows that I cut shoulders in the stems for the inwales to sit on



Sam

 

[samb]

. . . .and looking again at the OTCA pictures, the blue arrow shows what is probably the tenon on top of the stem which has rotted and been moved back during disassembly



Sam

 

[Michael Graessle]

Sam and dogbrain, thank you for all the help. I completely forgot about the Orange OTCA restoration. It appears the stem rests on top of the inwales. I believe, I will make a tenon to fit inside the inwales. It is my opinion, that without a tenon to hold the stem in place, it would become a weak spot allowing the stem to shift under the inwales.

 

[Dan Miller]

Old Town built them by cutting the stem flush with the underside of the inwales and deck, then driving a small, steel finish nail through each inwale into the stem.

Worked well enough for over 250,000 canoes.

 

[Michael Graessle]

Now I understand, nailing DOWN through the inwale. I was fixated on securing it ACROSS the joint.

Is there something better to use than a steel nail? I do not want to introduce something that will cause problems in the future.

Thank you

 

[Dan Miller]

Is there something better to use than a steel nail? I do not want to introduce something that will cause problems in the future.

You can get them in stainless steel, and probably brass

 

[Michael Graessle]

Stainless steel, of course, I was still on my first cup of coffee and my brain unit was not working yet!