Old Town Canoe Repair

[corob]

I need to paint and lay varish on an Old Town Canoe. The boats in good shape, the paint has peeled in several places to bare canvas, anyone done one of these?
Thank you, Corey nhsmartgear@metrocast.net

[Fitz]

Hi:

Sounds like it may be time to put new canvas on, although if the canvas is not rotted in areas or pulling off the gunwales, you may get a few more seasons by applying new paint.

If you want to canvas and fill, I urge you to try. It is easier than it sounds and you can get TONS of helpful information here:

http://forums.wcha.org/

Also a copy of Stelmok and Thurlow's book, "The Wood and Canvas Canoe" will help.

If you are going to recanvas, strip all the old varnish, and revarnish. Then with a new canvas job it will look like new.

Hope to see you on the waters soon!!

[ 01-08-2005, 07:32 PM: Message edited by: Fitz ]

[DanO]

Recanvassing is not that hard. In fact, it's pretty fun. I had to replace several frames and a few plank lengths on a 1941 Old Town I bought for my wife, and had thought - only for a second - that fiberglassing might be an option. DON'T EVEN THINK OF IT! A neighbor of mine did that and has regretted it ever since. These boats are designed to swell and flex and all that. I did a recanvassing job that looks spectacular (if I do say so myself!). Follow Stelmok's book and you won't go wrong. Good luck!

Dan