I'm in the process of restoring my first canvas canoe. It's a 1960's Huron Canoe. Very detailed information that I was looking for, for this step of the process. Thank you.
What is the advantage of canvas instead of fiberglass over wood and just painting the fiberglass? Isn't canvas just a weaker material. I noticed that pretty much all modern made woode canoes forego the canvas. Please advise
The major advantage of canvas covered canoes over fiberglass covered ones is future repairability. Canoe canvas commonly lasts about twenty years in normal use. It is considered a sacrificial element like tires on a car. Repairing any future planking or other structural issues is relatively easy once the canvas is removed. It is typically much more difficult to remove fiberglass for repairs like this. This is one of the reasons why fiberglass can also have a huge negative impact on the value if you ever want to sell your canoe. See www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/57/#post-72489 for more on this topic. The list at www.woodencanoe.org/builders-suppliers includes many builders making canvas covered canoes today.
Hello Sir great informative showing ! I have an Old time 16ft (not sure what year or model yet ) with a steel keel. Would I be splitting my canvas the entire length ?
If the canvas isn’t bonded to the canoe that means there is potentially an air gap. If your in a climate with large temperature swings doesn’t that allow moisture to collect between the canvas and the wood or is it able to breathe well enough at the gunwale to dry it adequately? Is a wood seal coat used prior to canvassing? I remember we had a canoe like this when I was little (about 40 years ago) and it was old when we got it. The varnish was wearing off the inside real bad and my dad and I refinished it. We used it probably another 10 years before dad replaced it with a new Old Town canoe of similar construction. He said the old one had dry rot and wasn’t worth the money to repair. Too bad.
It is best to keep wood an canvas canoes under cover so they can dry out completely when not in use. Some builders seal the wood prior to canvasing. It is too bad that you lost one to dry rot.
What size tacks are you using for the Stem/Gunwale points? This video is hugely helpful. I'm about to recavas a Peterborough and this has helped immensely.
See the stem tack sizes near the bottom of the page at www.wooden-canoes.com/canoes/materials/hardware/ for the options. The depth of the stem will determine the size you need. Good luck,
Do you have a materials list . or should I go through Wooden Canoe Heritage Association for such referances? Very imformative! I am in the process of restoring my first Wood Canvase Canoe , 1938 Thompson Thanks
The basic materials are canvas and tacks. The books at www.woodencanoe.org/product-page/the-wood-canvas-canoe-a-complete-guide and www.amazon.com/This-Old-Canoe-Restore-Wood-Canvas/dp/0994863306/wcha03-20?&linkCode=sl1&tag=wcha03-20&linkId=7f1301123084a032c1c8f7ac6331c5ce&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl explain the process. The WCHA forum at forums.wcha.org/ is a good place for detailed questions like this. Good luck,
Most people simply use bedding compound under the keel and when overlapping the canvas on the stems. See www.wcha.org/forums/index.php?threads/17895/ for more discussion on this topic.
