Project

Benson Gray · Dec 6, 2022

The kind welcome and introduction are much appreciated. I have read the site rules and hope that I haven't violated anything yet. The build record for the Otca is clearly not a good match and the one for the Guide seems much more likely. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the WCHA Assembly as well. Thanks,

Benson

Fitz · Dec 7, 2022

I gotta tell you, you really have to watch that Benson fella.

Welcome to the WCHA, Glen! I see you jumped in with both feet and ended up a Board Member. Congrats. I hope to see you at Paul Smith's.

Ruttrowe · Dec 9, 2022

Benson Gray said:
The kind welcome and introduction are much appreciated. I have read the site rules and hope that I haven't violated anything yet. The build record for the Otca is clearly not a good match and the one for the Guide seems much more likely. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the WCHA Assembly as well. Thanks,

Benson

Benson…I saw another post you had about the diamond head brass bolts (my boat you identified has them) being introduced in 1922 by old town. At what time did they discontinue use of them? Thanks again for your help!

Benson Gray · Dec 9, 2022

Ruttrowe said:
At what time did they discontinue use of them?

Well, there isn't a simple answer to that question. Brass was in short supply during the late 1940s so the diamond headed bolts were made in galvanized steel for a while. They ran out in the 1970s so slotted screws were used for a time. They got some more in the 1980s. The Island Falls Canoe Company is making Old Town's wooden canoes now but they have recently run out of diamond headed bolts. It is not clear when they might get them back in stock. Let me know if this doesn't answer your question.

Benson

Ruttrowe · Dec 9, 2022

Interesting! I figured they probably had stopped using them altogether at some point.

Ruttrowe · Jan 10, 2023

Project update. My shop really isn’t big enough to stretch canvas in so I’m work on new gunwales. Picked up a 16‘+ a bit piece of ash from Days Hardwood in Freeport Maine. Roughed out the gunwales and keel as well. Pretty sure the original gunwales were mahogany and keel was white oak, the ash will have to do for both. Couple of pictures of gunwale going on.

Crazy Trout Craft (CTC) · Jan 10, 2023

Ruttrowe said:
Project update. My shop really isn’t big enough to stretch canvas in so I’m work on new gunwales. Picked up a 16‘+ a bit piece of ash from Days Hardwood in Freeport Maine. Roughed out the gunwales and keel as well. Pretty sure the original gunwales were mahogany and keel was white oak, the ash will have to do for both. Couple of pictures of gunwale going on.

Wow! That looks fantastic! Keep those pictures coming… nice work Ruttrowe!

Robin · Jan 10, 2023

Nice job, those rib tips look like new.

Ruttrowe · Jan 10, 2023

Crazy Trout Craft (CTC) said:
Wow! That looks fantastic! Keep those pictures coming… nice work Ruttrowe!

Thanks!

Ruttrowe · Jan 10, 2023

Robin said:
Nice job, those rib tips look like new.

Thanks! I don’t think it had a lot of use at the scout camp.

Ruttrowe · Jan 13, 2023

End of the week. Gunwales on keel set in place! I wasn’t going to put seats in but I have enough ash left over I think i’ll build the frames. I can’t do anything else until I can move out of my shop to stretch the canvas. I’m considering orange as my finish color. My first vehicle was a 1971 D200 dodge pickup which was orange, very similar to the Old town Orange color chart. What do you think.

Glenn MacGrady · Jan 13, 2023

Ruttrowe said:
Gunwales on keel set in place!

Will you have to remove the keel and outwales before you put on the canvas?

Ruttrowe said:
I’m considering orange as my finish color.

I like different colors on canoes. So many w/c canoes are either red or green. I've had an orange composite canoe for 37 years and have always liked the color.

Ruttrowe · Jan 13, 2023

Glenn MacGrady said:
Will you have to remove the keel and outwales before you put on the canvas?

I like different colors on canoes. So many w/c canoes are either red or green. I've had an orange composite canoe for 37 years and have always liked the color.

View attachment 134046

Yes the outwales will have to be removed before canvassing. Hopefully they will adjust themselves to that shape, as they went into that position without steaming. The keel hasn‘t been screwed it’s just sitting there.

Benson Gray · Jan 13, 2023

Orange sounds good. The paint chart you posted is from the 1960s so the one below from the 1920s would be more period correct for your canoe if that matters. It also includes a similarly nice orange. My usual advice is to just pick a shade you like. Good luck,

Benson

Ruttrowe · Jan 13, 2023

Thanks. Love the orange with the rich dark wood shade!

Boreal Birch · Jan 13, 2023

Just me of course, but orange is only a nice color on an orange. I once backpacked with a guy that had an orange pack & an orange tent. The guy never shut up about how much his pack was killing him, so we traded packs. Not much comfort in his pack for me but, the guy kept talking about how great my pack was. Orange tent was an eye sore as was the pack. Guy was a constant loud talker. Never saw the guy after that trip. I never camped or traveled with anyone with orange gear. I have never bought anything orange either. Greens, browns, grays or olive colors that blend in, to me are just fine. A red & black wool shirt is as colorful as needed for contrast in photographs. Again that’s just my opinion, Your canoe, you can do what pleases you. My first car was a Sunbeam Alpine English Roadster in gray.

Glenn MacGrady · Jan 14, 2023

Here is a picture of an orange wood canvas canoe, taken from the photos page on the Satter's Restoration website, which I have on good authority is a 1926 Carleton Indian Princess.

billconner · Jan 14, 2023

Biased. Yale Blue for me.

Will Derness · Jan 14, 2023

Yale Blue catches my eye as well

Gamma1214 · Jan 14, 2023

I’m considering orange as my finish color... What do you think.

Personally, I like some of my gear to stand out (I have a friend who seeks missing persons after SAR has given up on finding them) so I would lean toward the brighter, more unusual colors. Given your choices, I'd go yellow but the orange would be 2nd choice for me.

I doubt I'll ever get around to recanvassing a w/c but, if I did, I would probably go w/ lilac... Never saw one and I like unique.

Project

Benson Gray

Fitz

Ruttrowe

Benson Gray

Ruttrowe

Ruttrowe

Attachments

Crazy Trout Craft (CTC)

Robin

Ruttrowe

Ruttrowe

Ruttrowe

Attachments

Glenn MacGrady

Administrator

Ruttrowe

Benson Gray

Ruttrowe

Boreal Birch

Glenn MacGrady

Administrator

billconner

Will Derness

Gamma1214

Similar threads