Oct. 5 th, 2011

  Well, what happened to summer? It has gone by. The Assembly is back at Paul Smiths. The leaves are changing and the salmon are in the West Branch, so they say. The time for stripping canoes has come and gone. We did a record nineteen canoes and boats this year. Most of the canoes that were on the update from April have been finished. The Big Square stern that "was a challenge" is almost done. I have decided to focus this update on that restoration. I will post photos of the others that have been finished.

  What projects would you like to see going on? Bending on ribs?, other steam bending projects?, canvassing?, any aspects of restoration?, etc. Contact us and we'll see what we can come up with.

  What's happening in the shop at this very moment. Check it out, and tell us what you think. Click on canoecam and have a look. On the canoecam page below the window for the camera is a 5 day image archive and a daily time-lapse video. You can click on those links and see the days photos and a video compilation of them. You can also check in with our blog and make snyde remarks at canoecamblog

This is the one that will be a challenge.....where to start....

It had sponsons when it came in AND it was painted yellow inside "Bonus". Now as I said "where to start!"

First we stabilize the hull and remove the sponsons. Then we strip the interior.

       .        

Next we remove the rails and address the rib tops that will remain. Note the batten on the outside and the temporary cross pieces. A set of new rails is made and installed. The tempories are removed and new ones are fastened under the rail.

A breast hook (deck) holds the tips of the rails in place then the old stem is removed. A new stem is bent, and shaped like the old one, then it is installed.

   The old transom is removed and a new one is made from a pattern taken from the hole. The new transom is notched and installed. Note the ribs that have been bent over the outside of the hull.

Ribs are replaced in a couple of series.

The planking is replaced, then a new deck frame is built( a coaming is bent too.)

The seat risers, braces and middle seat are installed. The other seats are made and cut to fit. The sponsons are in need of repair and are readied for installation.

  
The hull is canvased and filled then the sponsons are re-installed canvassed and filled. Then the hull is put up to dry.

The hull has cured 6-8 weeks and is sanded and painted. Keels and outside stems are installed the hull is sanded and painted more.

The rails and decking with the coaming have been installed and varnished. One more coat of varnish on the inside, rails, coaming and decking and we will finish the paint on the outside.

After that the sponson caps, seats and the floor rack will go in. They are already done. All that will be left is the hardware. Another week or so and it will be done.

   Bean

           Bean is sad she missed Dennis Dunnagan.                                 Saftey first!!!

    THE END.

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