I just aquired an Olde Towne wood/canvas canoe. Heavy as hell, but a nice vessel anyway. Problem is, the paint on the canvas is badly alligatored and flaking of in some spots. I don’t want to damage the canvas. The question is, anybody know the best way to rehab this thing? And, what’s the best paint to repaint it with?
I’ll be doing some other research, but thought somebody here might have some good first hand advise.
Thanks in advance.
You’re almost as paranoid as the people that’re trying to kill me.
Replies
"..the best way to rehab this thing?"
Take it down the Upper Russel Fork. ;)
In a more practical vein, you may want to talk to the folk at Trailhead/Blackfeather Outfitters in Ottawa, Ontario, or to the Nantahela Outdoor Center folk in Bryson City, NC.
A good Olde Towne stripper/canvas canoe is certainly worth restoring: they are a pleasure to paddle on flatwater, and are collectible in some circles.
I've got a book with exactly what you're looking for, but it's in a storage unit....But there are a couple of guys, in Maine as I recall, who build exclusively canvas canoes and it's their book that I have.... The book does have restoration info.
I suggest you go to WoodenBoat magazine's site....try http://www.WoodenBoat.com
They have a forum somewhat like this and you'll probably get a lot of help, along with some serious attempts to con you out of it.
Have fun....canvas canoes are a real delight....you'll never ride a "tupperware" (plastic or F/G) boat again!
(If I could survive at it, I'd rather build Wooden boats than houses any day)
Absolutly, go to Woodenboat's website! You should find most of your info, links and other sources there. Good luck. And treat that boat like the piece of history that it is.
Like classic cars and heirloom tools, classic wooden boats are not ours to own; they are ours to enjoy while we are thier caretakers.
Thanks, i've found that book and have it ordered. i've also found websites where they're showing off 90 yr old versions of the same model i've got that have been restored-mine's about 50. it's an heirloom, i'm not selling it. You're almost as paranoid as the people that're trying to kill me.