Restoring the UFO named Bullfrog

[Dan R.]

Hi All,
Sitting here waiting for some snow to roll in and thought I'd post some updates on the canoe I've been trying to identify. The more I've dug into it, the more it appears to be a homemade or at least not a mainstream canoe. I finally had the opportunity to join the great folks of the Norumbega Chapter for a work day and am very glad I did. They were all very welcoming and willing to answer my many... many questions. There really is nothing as good as learning hands on.

My son and I have decided to name the canoe "Bullfrog". It will need a cool graphic before it is done! It reminds us of a bullfrog in how it looks turned over (so far only on land) and how it moves through the water. In October, we steamed the inwales using the bag method and had success. The inwales were of Sitka Spruce. They had been soaked for about 40 hours and steamed for 40-50 minutes to bend on. I had read that steaming the full length of the inwale from one side was tricky and that a center hole in the bag would help the steam reach both ends. I took that idea an improvised a little. I steamed both inwale ends on the bow and then turned the canoe around and steamed both stern ends.

I'm now in the waiting game for some warmer weather to glue. Next steps will be repair/replace rib ends and working on the decks.

 

[MGC]

Very curious to learn about what you plan to glue?
Nice job with the rails.

 

[patrick corry]

Interesting method for steaming both sides at once! Very clever.

 

[Dan R.]

Thanks MGC and Patrick.

I need to splice in a couple dozen rib tips. I’ll be using titebond 3 since I have some on hand. The plan is to repair the rib tips prior to swapping in the new inwales.

 

[MGC]

Thanks MGC and Patrick.

I need to splice in a couple dozen rib tips. I’ll be using titebond 3 since I have some on hand. The plan is to repair the rib tips prior to swapping in the new inwales.

Got it. That makes sense. TB3 should be good for that. I like to use G-Flex and I make sure I always have some around (thickened). I have repaired gunstocks, clarinet bells, guitars, sneakers, skis, Christmas ornaments, an endless number of things. What I like about it (other than the obvious great bond strength) is the slow set time that allows me to adjust things to precise fits.

 

[chris pearson]

I’m curious, why do the newly bent gunwales stop short of the end?

 

[MGC]

I’m curious, why do the newly bent gunwales stop short of the end?

Yes.... I was half expecting to hear that the gluing was to splice on the rest of the rails.

 

[patrick corry]

I was thinking the plan was to make a Penobscot or Meremec type deck/inwale joint.

 

[Rollin Thurlow]

Is that Capt. Woodchuck lending a hand in the middle?

 

[Dan R.]

Patrick is correct. The canoe originally had a deck with inwales attached similar to a Penobscot deck. I will post a picture of the deck removed.

The middle guy is always up for lending a hand! Haha The helmet is a bit top heavy in my opinion but it does the job. The steaming period was a bit boring so there was bicycling going on as well.

 

[JClearwater]

I was thinking the middle guy was Punxsutawney Phil !!

 

[MGC]

Random helper and possible future wooden canoe junky. This is how it starts.

 

[Dan R.]

Photo of the original deck.

 

[sarahwood]

Bullfrog name fits well. Clever steaming method, can't wait to see the finished canoe.