This is the boat of my father-in-law's father. It hasn't been on the water for at least thirty-five years and obviously needs a lot of work. My father-in-law believes it was built by his father from a kit, probably in the 30s or 40s. I would love to restore this boat for him, and though I am competent with woodworking, I don't know a thing about boats. I would be grateful for any information about its style and resources for restoration. I bought "The Wood and Canvas Canoe," which seems to have relevant information but doesn't exactly address this particular style of boat. Thank you so much for any information you can give me! I would love to see this boat on the water!

Hi Eric. There is a similarity with the famous Rob Roy Canoe, designed by John McGregor around 1860. Yours look beautiful. If you are a good woodworker, do it, it's a very nice hobby. I can't see if it's planked, I don't see brass tacks (nails)...or it may then be glued strips.

For planks and tacks. If planks need to be replaced, it's easy to do. Make sure thickness is the same,(use a planer) remove old wood (between ribs, use half of the rib to each plank ends), tacks (nails), clean up and replace plank by using brass canoe tacks, make sure to rivet all tacks (use a large hammer over tack tip and knock the head with another hammer) then sand, then cover section with fiberglass cloth and epoxy (not polyester resin). Maybe you'll need to put a new fiberglass cloth all over....it's easy and I would go for it.(make sure all repairs are done before and pached with fiberglass and epoxy, ending by sanding all repairs). Use 2 parts epoxy varnish (slow hardening) for a tremendous gloss finish.

For glued strips, you'll have to remove planks gently, not to damaged the good ones. Remove planks and all glue. Make new planks (use a planer) and use waterproof glue, making sure planks hold firmly to other until glue has set-up. Make a fiberglass-epoxy repair and sand. Replace a new membrane if needed. Then 2 parts epoxy varnish.

NOTE: To all marine woodwork, always use waterproof glue

With canvas covered canoe, you have to remove all canvas to replace planks, minor sanding, then replace canvas, and use rubberized paint.(color of your choice).

By the way, use epoxy stick putty (wood color available) in a marine store, to repair minor woot rot or holes. Simply cut off the amount needed, peel off the cellophane protection, KNEAD putty for a minute and apply where needed.

Of course, a new fiberglass-epoxy membrane or a new canvas require to remove outside gunwales...and maybe replace them if needed.

Don't forget outriggers!!!!

I was working in 2008 for a wood canoe shop, bad part is they went out of business. Good thing, I've learned a lot!!!!!!
Do this answers your question?

Thank you so much for the great information! A quick search for Rob Roy canoes has already revealed some resources I hadn't found yet. The outriggers are canvas-covered wood, but the boat itself is not planked. I don't know all the terminology by it has wood and metal ribbing that is over which the canvas was stretched directly. Would this characteristic change the basic process?

Again, thank you for the quick and detailed reply!

- Eric