Hello. I I'm repairing a ~1993 Core Craft fiberglass canoe (I think; HIN starts BEM). I have an intact second identical one to use as a reference.
The damage: the molded bow deck plate / seat / top rail / side cover (it's all one piece) tore completely off along the gunwale bond line, taking a strip of laminate with it. A bit of the side cover broke off and is lost. The center thwart also snapped, half of it is still on there. I want to fabricate and bond in a replacement section using epoxy and cloth (I think), but this will be my first canoe repair. I would like to do a good job since it's my boss's canoe (!).
Questions for anyone who's worked on these:
Is the deck/gunwale on these solid fiberglass, or is there a cedar/wood core inside? Want to know what I'll hit when I grind into the torn edge.
Has anyone rebuilt a torn-off Core Craft deck/rail section? Any tips on how the deck ties into the hull?
Any advice on molding a replacement off the intact twin (release agent, layup schedule)?
General quirks of Core Craft layup I should know before I start.
I have the intact identical canoe to use as a plug/mold. Photos attached. Appreciate any knowledge — the company's long gone so there's no factory info. Like I said I'm totally new to fibreglass canoe repair (but have starting reading up on the basics), so any info/suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks.
The damage: the molded bow deck plate / seat / top rail / side cover (it's all one piece) tore completely off along the gunwale bond line, taking a strip of laminate with it. A bit of the side cover broke off and is lost. The center thwart also snapped, half of it is still on there. I want to fabricate and bond in a replacement section using epoxy and cloth (I think), but this will be my first canoe repair. I would like to do a good job since it's my boss's canoe (!).
Questions for anyone who's worked on these:
Is the deck/gunwale on these solid fiberglass, or is there a cedar/wood core inside? Want to know what I'll hit when I grind into the torn edge.
Has anyone rebuilt a torn-off Core Craft deck/rail section? Any tips on how the deck ties into the hull?
Any advice on molding a replacement off the intact twin (release agent, layup schedule)?
General quirks of Core Craft layup I should know before I start.
I have the intact identical canoe to use as a plug/mold. Photos attached. Appreciate any knowledge — the company's long gone so there's no factory info. Like I said I'm totally new to fibreglass canoe repair (but have starting reading up on the basics), so any info/suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks.
