Saturday 28 July 2018

Peterborough model 1434

A classified ad offering a Prospector canoe for $40 needing some work but solid? Had to check that one out. Genuine Prospectors dont show up that often, pleasure models are more typical. Today a drive to Peterborough yielded a Model 1434, not far from the Peterborough factory.

Peterborough's model 604 was made until the end of 1923 in two grades 1 and 2.
In 1924 it changed name to Otonabee (grade 1) and Rideau (grade 2). The Otonabee was produced until 1959.

In early 1930's the Rideau model became 16S. This model changed model name again in 1936 to High end Champlain # 26 P. In 1939 it became high end Champlain #1434. It was produced until 1955.

All above mentioned "models" were made on the same mold and had the measurements 16' x 33" x 12".


A quick stop at Tim Hortons after pickup

 Cant drive to Peterborough without a quick museum stop

 Back home and worth the trip

Original boat in its original canvas, solid and not abused

Most likely a wartime model, when cane for weaving seats was generally unavailable hence the slat seats

Typical offset centre thwart

Original varnish now alligatored, and nicely shaped stem end

 Outwales to be replaced, only part of the boat not solid

Slot screws thorughout

Slots and cup washers fastening shoe keel, never undone from new

Steel carriage bolts, likely another product of war time production
 
Two piece outwales spliced at the centre



 Maple decks 

Boat will be an easy and nice restoration, complete with nice vertical grain planking and original stembands and keel will go back on.




Sunday 22 July 2018

Minetta solo progress




Progress! Home stretch, final paint and varnish

http://blog.ravenwoodcanoes.com/search/label/solo

Canvas on, filled and primed. Customers choice of colour, Epifanes version of Teal. Never used this one, but it looks great. 
Image result for epifanes teal enamel

Primed

 Sanded
 
First coat

Nice solid coverage


Handy having a test tank nearby

Great looking colour on the water

Cherry outwales on, varnish next



 
 Final varnish coats left, and brass stem bands.

Picard Huron Canoe


 Native built canoes from Quebec were, and continue to be made, in significant numbers. Much less refined that past large manufacturers, they pay homage to earlier birch bark builds, with features like gunwale caps reminiscent of bark canoes. While more crudely built, they have great hull shapes and are a pleasure to paddle. When one showed up needing canvas and a freshening up for a more than reasonable price, we jumped at it. Just under 14' long, and with a moderate width it will make a great solo or good boat for two smaller paddlers. 


Load er up!
Great shape

Solid tips, rails and gunwale caps. Stem bands not broken and no rot

Typical heart decks, and gunwale caps covering rails and deck joint

Going home, summer project

Original canvas is done


Keel off, canvas removed

Get that pigeon poop out. Indoor storage prevented any rot. Great solid boat

Arrowhead deck and rail joints, similar to Grand Lake Stream canoes, St Louis canoes and others

Snowshoe gut seats

Maple thwarts


Picard decal

Solid, in need of sanding and revarnishing.


Sealer coats before canvas put on

Canvas going on, then fill and paint coming up