Chip's interest in river canoeing has exploded over the last year. She has decided "I am no longer going to be a passenger/princess in the canoe. I want to be in control either in the stern or solo!" So Chip gets her own canoe for her birthday!
We bought this damaged Esquif Prospector 17 from the University of Calgary's Outdoor Centre. The canoe had been wrapped around a rock or some such obstacle resulting in hull creases and a broken gunnel. Chip left town for a week so we moved the canoe into our home, set it up on our dining room table and began work.
We detached the seats, thwarts and yoke from the damaged side. Thomas acted as supervisor. Our dog Kira, who is an avid canoe dog could not understand what was happening in our house.
We invited Bucky the legendary canoe guru over for a consultation and he showed us how to drill out the rivets and remove the damaged gunnel. Linda enjoyed hammering out the gunnel which came off fairly easily.
The hull was creased where the boat was bent back upon itself by the pressure of the river. The ull, which is made of Royalex, recovered most of its shape once the pressure was relieved. We will blast the creases with a hot hair drier to see if we can minimize the distortion.
The gunnel actually broke into two pieces above the crease and there was some minor damage to the rivet hole and the plastic wall of the canoe.
Thomas and I riveted on the new gunnel. We used C clamps to tighten up the space between the gunnel and the canoe side before riveting.
We bought this damaged Esquif Prospector 17 from the University of Calgary's Outdoor Centre. The canoe had been wrapped around a rock or some such obstacle resulting in hull creases and a broken gunnel. Chip left town for a week so we moved the canoe into our home, set it up on our dining room table and began work.
We detached the seats, thwarts and yoke from the damaged side. Thomas acted as supervisor. Our dog Kira, who is an avid canoe dog could not understand what was happening in our house.
We invited Bucky the legendary canoe guru over for a consultation and he showed us how to drill out the rivets and remove the damaged gunnel. Linda enjoyed hammering out the gunnel which came off fairly easily.
The hull was creased where the boat was bent back upon itself by the pressure of the river. The ull, which is made of Royalex, recovered most of its shape once the pressure was relieved. We will blast the creases with a hot hair drier to see if we can minimize the distortion.
The gunnel actually broke into two pieces above the crease and there was some minor damage to the rivet hole and the plastic wall of the canoe.
Thomas and I riveted on the new gunnel. We used C clamps to tighten up the space between the gunnel and the canoe side before riveting.
Jamie and Chipper
