After 88 years, this burn-pile old canoe is getting a makeover!

[Patrick Corry]

Reading Glenn's post re: site member activity, his comments reminded me that users need to post new threads to keep the site alive. In that vein, here's a current project.

This poor old canoe, a 1938 Old Town 50 pounder- that's the model name; the weight is greater but that's how OT marketed them- was originally shipped to Hunter College in the state of New York in early1939.



I obtained it along with a 1927 Old Town 50#er, originally shipped to Saranac Lake, NY. Following repairs (read: complete rebuild!), the 1938 canoe is now ready for canvas. Here are a couple of pictures along the way...

Repair in progress over Fall and Winter,

Repair complete, interior varnish begun. 4 coats of gloss Man O War to build coverage, with at least 1 coat of semi-gloss to knock down the sheen once the outwales are on.

New Ash seats & thwart were made and installed. Ready for canvas:

Canvas rolled out, and pre-stretched with a come-along overnight prior to stretching over the hull:

Ready to go tomorrow....

 

[CaptainOllieWest]

Reading Glenn's post re: site member activity, his comments reminded me that users need to post new threads to keep the site alive. In that vein, here's a current project.

This poor old canoe, a 1938 Old Town 50 pounder- that's the model name; the weight is greater but that's how OT marketed them- was originally shipped to Hunter College in the state of New York in early1939.

View attachment 154173

I obtained it along with a 1927 Old Town 50#er, originally shipped to Saranac Lake, NY. Following repairs (read: complete rebuild!), the 1938 canoe is now ready for canvas. Here are a couple of pictures along the way...

Repair in progress over Fall and Winter,
View attachment 154276
Repair complete, interior varnish begun. 4 coats of gloss Man O War to build coverage, with at least 1 coat of semi-gloss to knock down the sheen once the outwales are on.
View attachment 154277
New Ash seats & thwart were made and installed. Ready for canvas:
View attachment 154278
Canvas rolled out, and pre-stretched with a come-along overnight prior to stretching over the hull:
View attachment 154279View attachment 154280View attachment 154281
Ready to go tomorrow....View attachment 154282

Nice work!

 

[Boatman53]

Nice job Pat.
I’ve got one for the burn pile I tried to save but it has too much active galvanic corrosion going on that I just couldn’t stop. It’s free if anyone wants it.
Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

That looks awesome and it's really great that you can bring it back from the burn pile.

 

[Patrick Corry]

Nice job Pat.
I’ve got one for the burn pile I tried to save but it has too much active galvanic corrosion going on that I just couldn’t stop. It’s free if anyone wants it.
Jim

Thanks Jim! Is yours an Old Town with diamond head bolts? I used 10 of them from my horde on this canoe, and I have 3 more Old Town canoes to restore. Please save them if you do have any! Seat frames too, regardless of cane condition.

 

[Robin]

Looks like it’s going to be a great restoration, new inwales really make an old canoe look sharp. Good luck with the canvassing process, you have a nice set up there.

 

[Boatman53]

Sadly Pat when I took the bow set out (it’s a sailing canoe with the whole rig and the bow seat is the mast partner) I think I broke three of the bolts. New diamond bolts can be had from Rollin Thurlow at North Woods Canoe Shop.
Jim

 

[Patrick Corry]

you have a nice set up there.

Thank you Robin. I bought this property, farmhouse and barn, 47 years ago. My first house! As a builder/contractor it always served as storage for materials and tools, and only in the last 5 years or so has it become a shop. Previously I did nearly all my work on client's sites. Fortunately my interest in these old canoes has given me a new purpose and a reason to enjoy time in the old barn.

 

[Patrick Corry]

New diamond bolts can be had from Rollin Thurlow at North Woods Canoe Shop.

Yep, I have bought some from him, although my preference is for old bolts with patina for restoration. I'll have to look into a chemical process to mimic the old patina when I use the new ones!