Peterborough Minetta

[Crawforde]

I recently acquired a Peterborough Minetta.
Some scraps of cloth and contact cement.
A bit of paint and some screws and she is floating.
I’m preparing to order some canvas and some wood to replace a few ribs and a little planking, but for the most part it’s in really nice shape so should not take to long to get ready for the new canvas. It’s a pretty hull and is a dream to paddle.
There were cracks drips and runs throughout both layers of paint. The green and the red.
The canvas was completely rotten under the gunnel, some gorilla tape along with the glued on patches seems to be holding for now.
I am older than I used to be, and will likely treat this more like my Blackhawk than my Dagger, so am considering using a #12 canvas and possibly a water based filler to save some weight. Odds are I’ll use traditional filler since that is all I have experience with, but I am curious about newer/ faster/ lighter methods.

 

[Crawforde]

The Bow seat is split so that came out.
The center thwart didn’t seem to be original so that is out, and I carved a carrying yoke to replace it. A new thwart was hung at both seat locations to help it maintain its shape and stiffness.
I paddle kneeling for the most part and can sit on a bag to give my knees and ankles a break when necessary so no seats will be put back in, although a kneeling thwart is a possibility.
I may make a folding wood seat to put in the front for times when my wife or daughter might join me. It should be stable enough with a passenger on the floor for a short lake / calm river tour.
If not, maybe I’ll need another canoe.

 

[Gamma1214]

Nice find. An interesting hull for sure and it looks like it's in nice shape.

 

[Robin]

I have #12 canvas on a 14’ Chestnut Fox, I’m careful and it’s holding up well. I make/use traditional filler from the recipe in the excellent book “This Old Canoe” by Mike Elliot. (lots of Chestnut/Peterborough information in it)
I have read mixed reviews on alternate fillers but I spent time in a shop where Gluvit was used regularly, it cures fast, they painted over it within a week, but I didn’t see any weight savings and very expensive.
For years I paddled/tripped out of a Chestnut Chum which is the same as a Minetta, it was a great solo canoe. While I had a bow seat, I don’t think I ever had anyone in it except my small grandson.
Good luck with the restoration, you have a fine canoe.

 

[Crawforde]

Thank you!
Yours looks beautiful.
I thought this was a Chestnut Chum when I bought it. After cleaning it up a bit I saw the shadow of the Peterborough 75th anniversary decal, and the 1815 stamped into the stem.
Curing speed is nice, but durability and weight (and cost) are worth more to me, so I’m still leaning towards a more traditional filler.

 

[Benson Gray]

I’m still leaning towards a more traditional filler.

The various historical canvas filler formulas listed at the link below may interest you. Nice canoe and good luck with the project,

Benson

Canvas Fillers

Canvas Fillers Canvas filler formulas have been guarded for decades by wood canvas canoe builders all over the world. The formulas below have been published or made available in a legal manner and not “stolen” or otherwise “borrowed” without permission. If you have another proven formula that...

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