Fresh paint to the 16’ Chestnut Cruiser

[Robin]

When I finished restoring this canoe a few years ago I only gave it two coats of paint, it’s a tripping canoe, the second coat looked ok back then. I just sanded it down with 150 grit on a 1/4 sander and applied the 3rd coat. I added a little gray paint to help freshen up the old paint in the can and I like the slightly lighter color.

I installed new one piece spruce gunnels and gave them their first coat of Interlux varnish.
I also ran a bead of Sikaflex on the underside of the gunnels and painted over that area. Schuyler Thomson taught me to do that, it waterproofs that area, water can seep inside an overturned canoe to rot the canvas top, planking and gunnels.



Finally, I removed the stern seat and added a kneeling thwart. I’m always solo but the kneeling thwart will work in a pinch.

 

[Caledonia]

The color looks great Robin. The sikaflex is a nice detail. Rob

 

[lowangle al]

The boat looks fair and smooth, nice job on the paint. The kneeling thwart and gunnels look pro too.

 

[Boatman53]

I like that paint color and I’ve always sealed and painted the underside of the gunnels as you did. Paint holds up much better than varnish in that area.
Jim

 

[Patrick Corry]

That looks great Robin. I guess the Sikaflex stays somewhat flexible? Did you dry bend the outwales or steam the ends? I might try the Sikaflex idea on my current restoration project, a 15’ Old Town 50 pound canoe from 1938, though that’s a long way off. Just repairing many rib tips right now; 43 so far and more to come!

 

[Boatman53]

Yes sikaflex stays more flexible than most similar products.
Jim

 

[Robin]

Did you dry bend the outwales or steam the ends?

I just bent them dry, no steam. When I installed the inwales years ago, I neglected to taper the ends. Big mistake, I think I was worried that I might ruin a 16’ gunnel. Anyway, I plan on correcting this when I do the next canvas. (hopefully, the canvas will outlive me).
I think the gunnels look good though. They where actully 20’ long so bending them dry was easy.

 

[ppine]

When in doubt, just paint it.

 

[Odyssey]

Hope you don't mind Robin, for those who might be wc curious, here's a canoe blog about the Chestnuts.

Chestnut Cruiser – Canoeguy's Blog

Posts about Chestnut Cruiser written by Mike Elliott

canoeguybc.wordpress.com