Canoe repair project...need some tips

[bassackwards]

I just recently picked up a 16' Mad River canoe (fiberglass) that was left on it's top, outside for the past few years, probably 10+.

Needless to say all the gunwales, decks and seat are rotted (the thwart and yoke were gone). The few pieces that were left were barely hanging on. The hull is in great shape, no damage what-so-ever. Made for an interesting trip back to Issaquah from Edmonds on the freeway....

I'd appreciate any tips / experience any of you have with restoring canoes. I'm turning this into my "Bass Canoe" I'd like to replace everything to it's original luster, or nicer. Not sure where to get ash gunwale or 1"x1" pieces of clear ash around here, plus any tips you have for me installing the gunwales would be MUCH appreciated. I'm currently educating myself off the internet.

Thanks in advance. I'll throw some pics up here as soon as I get going.

If this isn't the right forum for this I opologize.

Jon

[littleriver]

I'm wondering why you would want to " restore it to original luster"...

mad river canoes (at least the one's I've looked at) were made for day trip paddling, river running,
portaging, cargo carrying, and stuff like that.... I've never seen one that was made for bass fishing....


it should be noted that the "yoke" is designed for easy portaging (something you will probably never do) and
structural integrity.........

you gonna need some structural integrity but not the portaging..


first thing I would do is try to figure out how to rig an electric trolling motor so you will be able to sit comfortably
and position yourself with the motor and cast to where you want to cast all at the same time....... positioning and casting are what bass fishing are all about and the boat designers at Mad River have no understanding of these concepts.....


you might also want to figure out how to rig up some oarlocks because I found out from many years of difficult experience that rowing is a much more effective way to move through the water when you are alone than paddling.. ... it's even a better way to move when you have a buddy fishing with you because one person can row while the other fishes... paddling is difficult, at best, when only one person is waving the paddle in the water....


when you get done it may not be something that takes a proud photo, but if it gives you a functional and comfortable platform to work from I would think that would be far preferrable....

[Bodofish]

Regardless of of any preferences to fishing equipment or suitablity or the project it's self. If you want to restore a canoe, I say great go for it. Sounds like a fun project to me. There are a number of specialty wood places in Seattle, check the phone book or internet for location and pricing. Woodworkers Stores? Do you have a big router for shaping the gunnel? If not, get your boards preped and look for a custom cabinet shop that could run them through a shaper for you. After you get your boards shaped you'll need to make a tank for soaking the wood to shape it. Hot water with a little amonia. You'll get many opinions about how long to soak and how hot. You'll also need to build a form that's same curve as the sides of the canoe or just a bit exagerated. Clamp your wet / steamed piece of gunnel material to the form and let it dry in place. I'd fasten it to the hull as the Mfg did. And the thwarts well, carve away. You may want to consider, if you don't want to make a brand new canoe some of the plastic molding at the home supply stores. I've used it on a couple inexpensive boats and it worked out great. Not to mention it won't rot. If the structural strength is in the fiberglass hull it would be a slam dunk and you'd be out ton the water. If the glass is very thin, it's relying on the wood gunnel for strengthand probably not a good material for it. Here's a couple places to start your search. You might try the Mfg if they're still in business. They may have all the parts you need.
Have fun!

http://essexindustries.org/index.php?ma ... ex&cPath=2
http://www.shawandtenney.com/canoe-parts.htm
http://www.wcbguild.com/pages/canoe_parts.html
http://www.westerncanoekayak.com/produc ... 18227a5b5d

[bassackwards]

I'm wondering why you would want to " restore it to original luster"...

mad river canoes (at least the one's I've looked at) were made for day trip paddling, river running,
portaging, cargo carrying, and stuff like that.... I've never seen one that was made for bass fishing....


it should be noted that the "yoke" is designed for easy portaging (something you will probably never do) and
structural integrity.........

you gonna need some structural integrity but not the portaging..


first thing I would do is try to figure out how to rig an electric trolling motor so you will be able to sit comfortably
and position yourself with the motor and cast to where you want to cast all at the same time....... positioning and casting are what bass fishing are all about and the boat designers at Mad River have no understanding of these concepts.....


you might also want to figure out how to rig up some oarlocks because I found out from many years of difficult experience that rowing is a much more effective way to move through the water when you are alone than paddling.. ... it's even a better way to move when you have a buddy fishing with you because one person can row while the other fishes... paddling is difficult, at best, when only one person is waving the paddle in the water....


when you get done it may not be something that takes a proud photo, but if it gives you a functional and comfortable platform to work from I would think that would be far preferrable....


littleriver,

I was just looking for tips on how to install the gunwales, not whether or not I should do it. I appreciate your input. I've taken all of what you said into consideration prior to purchasing it. I'm not looking to enter tournaments with it, just a way to get out on the water and wet a line.

Again, thanks for your suggestions.

Jon

[bassackwards]

Regardless of of any preferences to fishing equipment or suitablity or the project it's self. If you want to restore a canoe, I say great go for it. Sounds like a fun project to me. There are a number of specialty wood places in Seattle, check the phone book or internet for location and pricing. Woodworkers Stores? Do you have a big router for shaping the gunnel? If not, get your boards preped and look for a custom cabinet shop that could run them through a shaper for you. After you get your boards shaped you'll need to make a tank for soaking the wood to shape it. Hot water with a little amonia. You'll get many opinions about how long to soak and how hot. You'll also need to build a form that's same curve as the sides of the canoe or just a bit exagerated. Clamp your wet / steamed piece of gunnel material to the form and let it dry in place. I'd fasten it to the hull as the Mfg did. And the thwarts well, carve away. You may want to consider, if you don't want to make a brand new canoe some of the plastic molding at the home supply stores. I've used it on a couple inexpensive boats and it worked out great. Not to mention it won't rot. If the structural strength is in the fiberglass hull it would be a slam dunk and you'd be out ton the water. If the glass is very thin, it's relying on the wood gunnel for strengthand probably not a good material for it. Here's a couple places to start your search. You might try the Mfg if they're still in business. They may have all the parts you need.
Have fun!


Right on...I didn't know I'd have to soak the gunwales prior to install. I'm going to check the thousand or so opinions on the internet for proper set-up etc.

Thanks for the tips and links...I'm off to the garage.

Jon

http://essexindustries.org/index.php?ma ... ex&cPath=2
http://www.shawandtenney.com/canoe-parts.htm
http://www.wcbguild.com/pages/canoe_parts.html
http://www.westerncanoekayak.com/produc ... 18227a5b5d

[Bodofish]

Soaking and bending isn't always needed. If the gunnels aren't a structural part of the boat and with many glass boats they aren't. They're just a pretty cap on the top. On the other hand if they are, they should be shaped before install so you don't stress and or warp the hull. Old school wood canoes are made from the shape of the gunnel and the chine with the ribs soaked and formed. Hope it helps. I've made a few, wood and glass.
M