Thoughts on a Bell Merlin ii (not that I'm looking for another canoe...)

[Guest]

My concern is water seeping into the fabric and causing problems. I know this is a serious concern with sea kayaks and had assumed it was the same with canoes. If the little fuzzies are okay until the winter then I'll deal with them then, otherwise I'll deal with it sooner.

That would be my concern as well. It’s hard to tell from photos how far into the fabric the wear has worn. Once you have decided on materials and methodology I’d bring the canoe into the garage, let it dry out for a week and do the scuff patch. If you are going to do it anyway sooner is better than later.

that's why I'm being a pest asking the questions and doing the research to try to use the right products, sort of like restoring and maintaining a little piece of art. Sorry for the little nostalgia trip - just wanted you guys to understand why I am gravitating towards certain directions with respect to the repairs.

Found I have a marine grade cleaner wax (forgot I had that...) I use on my sea kayaks and will see how it does on the outside of the hull. I also have an orbital buffer (have detailed cars off and on for years) so should be a short process.

There are a lot of inveterate boat builders, repairers and tinkerers here. Far from being a pest you are allowing us to vicariously come along for the refurbishment ride. 60 responses and 1200 views to a week old post is evidence of that.

Let us know how the marine wax and buffing wheel turn out. I think you’ll be pleased. Gunwale cleaning too.

 

[imyz1]

I just try to listen to folks.

Came across this on craigslist (the bane of my existence) and thought I would ask opinions:

https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/6210825494.html

For those of you that might not have seen the other thread, I am realizing how difficult it is to toodle around in my Prospector in the wind. Since I might not always be ale to paddle it tandem when we want to take canoes, I wandered around on CL at lunch today looking for solos. (bad, very bad).

So, as so many of you suggested, a dedicated solo is often the answer. I'm not sure this boat would work, or if that is a fair price (or if my husband will let me have another boat - sheepish grin) but I thought I would ask a few opinions anyway (my birthdays coming up....)

A girl can always hope!

I’ve purchased the Merlin plans, the Peregrine is shorter, for streams! His Merlin was produced by Winona Canoe, with Kevlar. I still have the strong-back with forms! I’ll need to find the actual plans for his Peregrine cedar strip towards which forms to delete for such build.
My blueprints, have faded since, yet which form to remove towards building his Peregrine, should be available