V stern reconstruction

[Louis Michaud]

Bonjour,

My current project is the reconstruction of a 16' V stern Prospector (maybe Chestnut) type W/C. The stern and transom were badly smashed and I can't estimate the original dimensions. I would appreciate if somebody could post a few pictures to give me a general idea of the shape of the small transom and how it was fastened to the hull. A few numbers would also be welcomed: width of the transom at the gunwales, depth along the centerline and angle of the vertical. Was it a long shaft outboard (20') or a short shaft (15') that was used on these canoes?
Thanks!

Best,

Louis

 

[Benson Gray]

You may be able to get some ideas from the catalogs as shown in the image below from the 1958 Chestnut catalog. More information like this is available at http://www.dragonflycanoe.com/cdrom.htm in the Canadian Wood Canoe and Boat Company Catalog Collection CD.

Benson

 

[Todd Bradshaw]

This is the best photo I could find in my stuff. It's on an 18' Prospector 'Birch" model. It sure looks like the thing has a wineglass shape with a pretty clean stem down at the waterline. Somebody here must own one and hopefully can send some better photos and measurements.

 

[Louis Michaud]

Thank you Tod and Benson. With these pictures and those I got from the archives I should be able to reconstruct the transom. I'll reverse-engineer the dimensions from the bracket on the outboard. Thanks again.

Best,

Louis Michaud

 

[Todd Bradshaw]

Found a little better one. Seeing the photo of that horrible looking lateen sail was one of the original reasons I wrote my book! It would take pages of text to explain all the things that are wrong with it.

 

[Douglas Ingram]

I just got some photos back from processing. I'll post a few of the "Y" stern once they are scanned. I also have a tracing. These are from a 16' Chestnut, quite likely a Prospector model.

 

[DakotaMac]

Y-stern transom repair

I have just completed repair of a transom on a Y-stern CCC Prospector ("Miner" model). This is a 17 ft square-stern canoe that appears similar, if not identical, to a square stern Chestnut Prospector.

A prior owner had gunned too large a motor (5hp) in rough water - cracking the transom about 1/3 of the way up. To fix the ugly, but functional original repair, I had to remove the transom, rip out the cracked area, and glue in a strip of oak. The ends of the planking were nailed to the 3/4" think white oak transom with copper nails; in addition the transom was affixed to the gunwales and inner stem with 4 steel bolts and 2 screws. I used bronze ring nails and bronze carriage bolts for reattachment.

I have no measurements (the boat is at home, I'm supposedly at work), but for scale my assistant in the attached photos is a 12" shoulder height, 16 lb JRT. These pictures should at least show you the general transom shape and construction details. I could provide additional details if needed.

It sounds like you have a challenging task ahead!

 

[Louis Michaud]

Great pictures with lots of info, Thanks!
Not too familiar with the terminolgy... Would this be a "V" stern ? It seems a lot bigger than the transoms in the pics posted by Todd. Todd's would be "Y" sterns, smaller than the "V" sterns ?
The Chestnut catalogues show very variable transom heights. So I guess transom height is not very critical. Whichever, long or short shaft, fits better a particular canoe...

Best,

 

[forestcomber]

Salut !

It has been a while since this topic was active.

I'm wondering if a short shaft outboard is suitable for a y-stern canoe ?

Thank-you,
Craig

 

[ppride]

Chestnut V stern

Here are some pictures of my V stern. The canoe was crushed when I restored it so the dimensions may not be exactly like the original. It measures 8 3/4" tall by 15 1/4 at the widest. Hope this helps. Pete

 

[forestcomber]

Thank-you for posting the photos. Fine job you did there !

Could you tell me what the distance is from the top of the transom to the bottom of the canoe. I believe that this would be the transom height.

What are the brass fitting for on the stern ?

Have you used an outboard with your canoe ? Do you use a short shaft or a long shaft ?

 

[ppride]

The distance from the top of the transom to the bottom of the canoe is a little hard to measure as there is alot of rocker in the stern. The height of the transom itself is about 8 3/4" If I run a tape down on the outside of the transom and sight along the flat run of the keel the distance is about 19". The brass fittings are for a rudder. I either row or sail the canoe so I have not used it with an outboard motor. Post some pictures of your canoe when you get a chance. Good Luck, Pete

 

[forestcomber]

Thank-you for the measurement. I don't know too much about this but it seems that even if the transom itself is 8 3/4", I think the functional transom height is 19", and a long-shaft outboard would be required. The anti-ventilation plate on the outboard is supposed to be 0-2" below the bottom of the boat. A short-shaft outboard fits a transom height of 15" and the long-shaft fits a transom height of 20". Anyone have any other thoughts ?