Mountain Bike revamp

Always wanted a Kona back when i was mounting biking, and finally got one back in 1998. Pre-disc brakes, early in the evolution of front and rear suspension, old style head down riding position etc. Cycling has evolved so much faster with new advances much more than watercraft, both with respect to technology as much as fit and form. Riding positions have changed to be more comfortable and ergonomic, but the old equipment can still work fine.  This bike saw some fine offroad work, but as life changed, and with time becoming more scarce it saw less and less use as the sport evolved. Wanting to get the fitness level back up, and as the kids can now keep up, it was time for an overhaul and make it more street friendly.

Pride of 1998, suspension forks were coming on strong, but opted for the old straight blades and the rapid fire thumbshifters were ditched for the last pair of top mounts the shop had. Worn off road tires and tired seat round it out. Oh and a ton of dust. 

Evo slicks, 3" rise bars and old school Oury motocross grips. 

First slick mounted, much better!

New gel saddle, and shifter and brake cables.

Refitting everything and new cabling going on.

Done and ready for a test ride. Much better and a good way to get that cardio workout

Oldest's new ride, aluminum framed and more comfortable ride out of the gate. Bottle cages, bar ends and a computer rounded it out but forgot to take a picture of the finished product.....

1950s Princecraft aluminum boat project

New boat! As usual needs some work but its vintage all the way. 16' rated for a 40hp, the perfect fishing machine for Georgian Bay and any smaller lake or river. We knew right away this was a keeper, and the research began. Tag on it said 'Aluminum Boats and Canoes', strange name - never heard of it. Quick internet search revealed it is from the earliest days of production from the forerunner of Princecraft boats, from Princeville Quebec. 

First production facility

Early photo from company archives

Todays fishing products

Fishing, fish/ski boats and pontoon boats along with canoes have all been a part of their line up

Narrow entry 

Built around 1957

Lines reminiscent of a wood runabout

Nice tumblehomed stern and deep sides

Just retrieved

Closed deck model

An example of what can be done with a buffing wheel, polishing compounds and may, many hours of work

With available wooden boats becoming more scarce, restorations of more contemporary craft are becoming more common. Moreover, classic 'glass and aluminum boats are more accessible, withstand harder use and are more familiar to most people these days than boats from the early part of the last century, and are much more affordable.

Nicely restored with a matching period outboard

Another classic aluminum with some serious style 

Polished and painted

Currently looking for modern power. A period correct engine, though kool looking would not provide the reliablilty or economy needed, and put too much gas and oil back in the water.

More to come, need to test for leaks and re-rivet as necessary, replace transom wood, change steering, find a windshield and rebuild seats.

Aluminum gunwale replacement

More like installing siding on a house than traditional canoe building, a Fiberglass Scott canoe came in with a kinked and broken gunwale after the shed fell on it from snow load. A pop rivet gun, rather than a steambox, is the tool of the day. 

Rear, port side. 

Starboard rear, nice gentle sweep of gunwale

Kinked gunwale, small crack from folding due to weight

Kinked, cant be saved

Rivets from seats, thwart, carrying handles and decks drilled out, before drilling rivets along gunwale

Lots of guck, a wood boat would be well on its way to rotting away

Gunwale starting to go back on

Guck. Scott, and an offshoot Abitibi canoes, are iconic Canadian 'glass canoes, and are very common anywhere there is water to be paddled

Gunwale showing slot for top of fiberglass, it introduces tremendous rigidity to otherwise floppy sides.

Trusty pop rivet gun