We have several different types of restorations ongoing in the shop. Penn Yan, Morris, Old Town, Chestnut, Lakefield, St. Lawrence Canoe and Boat Works, Waltham, Kingsbury, etc. Several new canoes are underway and we just finished a new canoe building form (or mold depending on what flag you wave).
The cedar pile is high, the brass tack inventory is a couple hundred pounds, and the shelf is stocked with plenty of varnish. We are ready for a full shop and an exciting winter loaded with lots of cool projects so stay tuned in. We will have plenty of pictures to help ease the dormant canoeing season as the waterways freeze over for the next couple months.
CAN YOU SAY PENN YAN?
Last year was the first year in nearly 20 years that we didn't have a Penn Yan in the shop.
Last year was the first year in nearly 20 years that we didn't have a Penn Yan in the shop.
This year they multiplied like rabbits. We have four in the shop for restoration. Well, actually we have six, 4 for a complete restoration and 2 for repairs.
Left to right: Penn Yan Swift, Penn Yan Trailboat, Penn Yan Cartopper
The Swift
The Trailboat
A Penn Yan Canoe
Emily working on the rotten ends
You never know what you might find
The rotten end rebuilt
All rebuilt and ready for canvas
The Cartopper
Emily and Annie installing the new inner rails
Inner rails and deck installed
Transom rib installed
The new transom
Emily installing the new transom
Emily and Annie installing new ribs
Checking for fairness
NEW CANOE MODEL FOR 2017
The Chestnut Prospector is perhaps one of, if not the most replicated canoe designs of modern times. It seems that just about every canoe builder has in one way or another offered their version of Chestnut's famous Prospector.
For years we resisted temptation but finally gave in (I guess). Demand for a Prospector became high so we took to the lofting board and set out to build a form. It is somewhat of a large investment to make a canoe form but it is a super fun and exciting process.
We started out with an original 17 foot Prospector that had never seen water. Using this example, we carefully took the lines (measurements) from it which were then lofted (drawing the canoe to full size). From the lofting, we construct a solid canoe building form from which we can build 100's of new canoes. It is a long process all done by hand, no computers are used.
It is very rewarding, especially when that first canoe comes off the form.
Dylan tracing out the station patterns
Strong back is leveled out...
...and stations are fastened on.
On the shopping list for the Live Free or Die Antique Tool Auction in NH,
Dylan was given strict instructions to come back with a new square for the shop.
It's just that Emily didn't specify what size square he was to come back with.
Dylan, ever able to rationalize any tool purchase, quickly found the perfect task for the new 15lb square!
All the stations are plumb, square, and fair.
Starting to take shape.
Time for the strips to go on.
Last stealer is ready to go on.
Finishing up the strips.
The form gets faired.
Metal rib bands going on.
The form is complete! Sure looks like a Prospector.
Annie shaping the new stem
Emily and Annie bending ribs on the new Prospector form.
Hull being planked.
The first hull being lifted off.
The first time we get to inspect the handiwork of 200+ hours leading up to this point.
Annie fairing the hull.
Wannigan ribs being installed.
WALTHAM COURTING CANOE
A nice long decked Waltham courting canoe.
Needs a bit of work but this one will shine pretty when done.
The interior repairs being done
A CHESTNUT PAL
Chestnut canoes often lack the bling bling luster of glistening mahogany, long decks, and elevated workmanship, but what they lack in those departments they quickly make up in design.
Pal's are just an absolute joy to paddle on the water. And that, seemingly, was Chestnut's modus operandi; to produce more of utilitarian canoe that actually paddled well because of design.
This is the reason rotten ends should not be rebuilt using short scarf joints on the inner rails or angled away from the decks. We see this far too often and it is a failure waiting to happen.
The newly rebuilt end being glued up.
The interior and its' 17 new ribs in a row.
OTHER CANOES IN THE SHOP
Here are some other projects ongoing in the shop
A very early Charles River canoe.
A Kngsbury Charles River canoe
Just love those decks! I mean who doesn't?
An 18' Old Town Square Stern Canoe
A cedar strip Lakefield Torpedo canoe circa 1913-1919.
A rare St. Lawrence Boat Works 10' canoe.
A nice BN Morris
Emily working on the ends of the Morris
The Morris ready for varnish
AROUND THE SHOP
Dylan shaping the bevel on the transom rib
NEW CANOE MODEL FOR 2017
The Chestnut Prospector is perhaps one of, if not the most replicated canoe designs of modern times. It seems that just about every canoe builder has in one way or another offered their version of Chestnut's famous Prospector.
For years we resisted temptation but finally gave in (I guess). Demand for a Prospector became high so we took to the lofting board and set out to build a form. It is somewhat of a large investment to make a canoe form but it is a super fun and exciting process.
We started out with an original 17 foot Prospector that had never seen water. Using this example, we carefully took the lines (measurements) from it which were then lofted (drawing the canoe to full size). From the lofting, we construct a solid canoe building form from which we can build 100's of new canoes. It is a long process all done by hand, no computers are used.
It is very rewarding, especially when that first canoe comes off the form.
Dylan was given strict instructions to come back with a new square for the shop.
It's just that Emily didn't specify what size square he was to come back with.
Dylan, ever able to rationalize any tool purchase, quickly found the perfect task for the new 15lb square!
WALTHAM COURTING CANOE
A nice long decked Waltham courting canoe.
Needs a bit of work but this one will shine pretty when done.
A CHESTNUT PAL
Chestnut canoes often lack the bling bling luster of glistening mahogany, long decks, and elevated workmanship, but what they lack in those departments they quickly make up in design.
Pal's are just an absolute joy to paddle on the water. And that, seemingly, was Chestnut's modus operandi; to produce more of utilitarian canoe that actually paddled well because of design.
OTHER CANOES IN THE SHOP
Here are some other projects ongoing in the shop
AROUND THE SHOP
Three different all wood Canadian built canoes from the early 1900's waiting for restoration.
