Yesterday I picked up an older Wenonah Spirit II. The material is their Tuf-Weave, and not the lighter type either, but it seems manageable for weight. If I remember the key to Wenonah's serial numbers right, the canoe was made in 98. There are a few questions I have for you experienced re-building / re-finishing folks, or anyone experienced of course.
Someone dribbled "house paint" (that's how it was described to me) on some of the outside of the hull. The paint does not seem to be the water soluble type, and I am guessing something oil based. Any suggestions (other than sanding) on how to take that dribbled paint off? I tried Coleman Fuel (the only solvent I had around), which takes it off, but requires lots of rubbing, but it did not seem to touch the gel coat.
Some of the gel coat is faded, likely due to UV light exposure. Any good and easy processes to "polish" or reinvigorate faded gel coat?
The boat is not designed for solo paddling, but I might like paddling it solo some time. I was thinking of removing some of the aluminum thwarts and adding a comfortable kneeling thwart a few feet in front of the stern seat, or more or less right behind the bow seat, such that the canoe can be paddled backwards. Since the bow of the boat is quit high, I am favoring the paddling backwards idea. That way I might not have to fight the bow on windy days.
Has anyone here done this type of mod to a Spirit II? Any suggestions as to the construction (width, material, angle...etc.) of a comfortable kneeling thwart?
Someone dribbled "house paint" (that's how it was described to me) on some of the outside of the hull. The paint does not seem to be the water soluble type, and I am guessing something oil based. Any suggestions (other than sanding) on how to take that dribbled paint off? I tried Coleman Fuel (the only solvent I had around), which takes it off, but requires lots of rubbing, but it did not seem to touch the gel coat.
Some of the gel coat is faded, likely due to UV light exposure. Any good and easy processes to "polish" or reinvigorate faded gel coat?
The boat is not designed for solo paddling, but I might like paddling it solo some time. I was thinking of removing some of the aluminum thwarts and adding a comfortable kneeling thwart a few feet in front of the stern seat, or more or less right behind the bow seat, such that the canoe can be paddled backwards. Since the bow of the boat is quit high, I am favoring the paddling backwards idea. That way I might not have to fight the bow on windy days.
Has anyone here done this type of mod to a Spirit II? Any suggestions as to the construction (width, material, angle...etc.) of a comfortable kneeling thwart?