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Repair kit for canvas canoe

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Sep 18, 2022
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Camden, Maine
Just purchased a 1965ish Chestnut Prospector from White Rose Canoe in Newbury, Mass. Great people to deal with. But it's got me wondering what I should carry in my repair kit when tripping with this canoe. What would a well stocked field repair kit for a wood/canvas canoe include?

Sorry if this thread already exists. I searched for quite a while and couldn't find anything.

Art
 
I just carry a multi tool, some duct tape (10’ at most wrapped around Nalgene bottles), and strong bailing wire. I used to carry an extra bolt, washer, and nut with a 3/8” wrench but I have never needed to repair a seat so I used that bolt on a restoration and never replaced it in my kit.
I sliced a canvas once and the duct tape was fine till I got home. I have had stem bands leak and again the duct tape got me home.
I figure if I break a seat or thwart, I can make a repair with the wire and a beaver stick under the break. Same thing with broken gunnels.
Here’s my Pal in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park with duct tape over my stem band7DC532E1-511F-44B4-9553-F9860EEE422E.jpeg
 
Here's a very complete kit for serious trips or for home:

 
I just carry a multi tool, some duct tape (10’ at most wrapped around Nalgene bottles), and strong bailing wire. I used to carry an extra bolt, washer, and nut with a 3/8” wrench but I have never needed to repair a seat so I used that bolt on a restoration and never replaced it in my kit.
I sliced a canvas once and the duct tape was fine till I got home. I have had stem bands leak and again the duct tape got me home.
I figure if I break a seat or thwart, I can make a repair with the wire and a beaver stick under the break. Same thing with broken gunnels.
Here’s my Pal in Woodland Caribou Provincial Park with duct tape over my stem bandView attachment 135793

Robin, I still hope to get over to visit your shop.
 
Here's a very complete kit for serious trips or for home:

While I have total respect for Mike Elliot's knowledge, I would prefer to patch a canvas with duck tape on the trail, then do a proper repair to the canvas at home. With his repair kit, the repairer would soak the piece of repair canvas with glue which would soak thru the tear and glue the piece of repair canvas to the plank. Now you have a repair that's glued to the plank when you get the canoe in the shop.

IMO, it's better to work some plastic wrap under the canvas tear at home and then glue the piece of canvas after roughing up the area around the tear with sand paper, all done at home.

I see no reason to carry screws, nails, babich, clinching iron, or paint...paint, haha.

Duct tape, multiy tool, and wire will get you home.
 
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