Jack McGeehan
Curious about Wooden Canoes
I recently acquired a decent restoration project. The serial # indicates a 16’ OT Yankee that began its construction in 1945 and delivered in early 1946.
I am in the process of studying the canoe and seeing what is salvageable and what is not. I am hoping to get a copy of "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok for starting reference. OTC gave me a contact for supply’s that has the original mold for that Boat (Otca model). The canvas has been stripped and the planking has some damage – although not that bad. My initial thoughts are to replace both badly rotted stems and the stem bands and keel. I definitely have five broken ribs to deal with. The gunwales are not in the best of shape either – probably going to replace them as well.
The very neat thing is that my 19 year old son had two years of boat building while attending a boarding school in NW Connecticut and is equally excited to work on this project. He has steamed bent ribs, planked several boats, canvassed two canoes and caned a couple seats – by far an expert but more experience than me.
Any words of encouragement or suggestions would be appreciated.
I am in the process of studying the canoe and seeing what is salvageable and what is not. I am hoping to get a copy of "The Wood and Canvas Canoe: A Complete Guide to its History, Construction, Restoration, and Maintenance" by Rollin Thurlow and Jerry Stelmok for starting reference. OTC gave me a contact for supply’s that has the original mold for that Boat (Otca model). The canvas has been stripped and the planking has some damage – although not that bad. My initial thoughts are to replace both badly rotted stems and the stem bands and keel. I definitely have five broken ribs to deal with. The gunwales are not in the best of shape either – probably going to replace them as well.
The very neat thing is that my 19 year old son had two years of boat building while attending a boarding school in NW Connecticut and is equally excited to work on this project. He has steamed bent ribs, planked several boats, canvassed two canoes and caned a couple seats – by far an expert but more experience than me.
Any words of encouragement or suggestions would be appreciated.
