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Got this winter's project in the garage a little early so it doesn't have to bake in the sun all Summer.
It's a 1947ish 12" Penn Yan Car Top. (CarTop, Car Top, Car-Top?) Specifically it's my Grandfathers Penn Yan which is the only reason I'm trying to tackle it, otherwise there are likely far better projects out there for someone with a relatively low restoration experience level such as myself.
I managed to get the old canvas off without too much drama, I did check for lead because I was pretty certain it was last painted in the 60's, but thankfully that wasn't a problem.
It's in WAY worse shape than I hoped, but I suppose that's how it always is. I haven't dared count yet but I'm guessing around 12-16 broken ribs and half the planking needs replacing. The transom is borderline, the inwales and outwales are garbage, the keel is as structurally sound as a wet newspaper, and the sheer plank is more a random assortment of cellulose than actual wood.
So.. bad.
But! the thwarts and seats are nice, the majority of ribs and the 'floors' are passable, I have the original oars, and all the hardware is there. Also I used to row this boat around the lake as a kid, and some of this damage is likely from previous me, and what a destructive little jerk I was. And really I just can't see it cut up for scrap, well not yet anyway.
I've been reading through Mike Elliot's This Old Canoe and it's been a great resource. If anyone has any other suggestions for similar books on the subject of wood and canvas restoration I'd love to hear them.
Also, if anyone knows why Penn Yan used Frearson/Reed & Prince screws I'd love to know, it seems an odd decision for a boat but maybe it was more common practice at the time?
It's a 1947ish 12" Penn Yan Car Top. (CarTop, Car Top, Car-Top?) Specifically it's my Grandfathers Penn Yan which is the only reason I'm trying to tackle it, otherwise there are likely far better projects out there for someone with a relatively low restoration experience level such as myself.
I managed to get the old canvas off without too much drama, I did check for lead because I was pretty certain it was last painted in the 60's, but thankfully that wasn't a problem.
It's in WAY worse shape than I hoped, but I suppose that's how it always is. I haven't dared count yet but I'm guessing around 12-16 broken ribs and half the planking needs replacing. The transom is borderline, the inwales and outwales are garbage, the keel is as structurally sound as a wet newspaper, and the sheer plank is more a random assortment of cellulose than actual wood.
So.. bad.
But! the thwarts and seats are nice, the majority of ribs and the 'floors' are passable, I have the original oars, and all the hardware is there. Also I used to row this boat around the lake as a kid, and some of this damage is likely from previous me, and what a destructive little jerk I was. And really I just can't see it cut up for scrap, well not yet anyway.
I've been reading through Mike Elliot's This Old Canoe and it's been a great resource. If anyone has any other suggestions for similar books on the subject of wood and canvas restoration I'd love to hear them.
Also, if anyone knows why Penn Yan used Frearson/Reed & Prince screws I'd love to know, it seems an odd decision for a boat but maybe it was more common practice at the time?
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