tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157484949428480187.post2230261598900190975..comments2024-02-23T11:03:30.852-05:00Comments on Paddle Making (and other canoe stuff): Trapper Canoe Restoration: Removing Fiberglass from the hullMurathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13482734358888755004noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157484949428480187.post-91428041795050141822020-12-02T07:59:46.380-05:002020-12-02T07:59:46.380-05:00Canoe Sailor: Modern epoxy resins are much harder ...Canoe Sailor: Modern epoxy resins are much harder than polyester based resins from earlier times. Yes they are waterproof but the reason for not doing it is that they are in fact too rigid and strong. Wood canvas canoes constructed with tacks will flex slightly when in use, but when the outside is sheathed in epoxy they can't. This means the likelihood of cracking/breaking is much more when in use. Removing/replacing the canvas is easy since it is not glued to the hull but stretched and tacked. This allows for future repairs. Once covered in modern epoxy it is nearly impossible to remove.<br /><br />The waterproof glass also prevents the hull from breathing meaning more moisture gets trapped and eventually the components will rot. Filled canvas blocks liquid but allows water vapours to pass so when the hull properly dries out when stored.<br /><br />Using epoxy for modern cedar strip canoes with no ribs or planking is a proven method, but for these old cedar canvas style boats, covering in epoxy is basically a short term fix but a quicker death sentence for these historic craft. So basically it is both for tradition and for practical purposes. More info about this on the <a href="http://wcha.org/forums/index.php" rel="nofollow">whca forums</a> or in Mike Elliot's book, <a href="https://paddlemaking.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-much-needed-book-on-canoe-restoration.html" rel="nofollow">This Old Canoe</a>.Murathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482734358888755004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157484949428480187.post-15084391603336955372020-11-24T18:02:42.836-05:002020-11-24T18:02:42.836-05:00Nice work(and good riddance to those keels). Looki...Nice work(and good riddance to those keels). Looking forward to seeing your progress. Good luck!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10620500490136625701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157484949428480187.post-90612296177070202282020-11-24T13:57:09.628-05:002020-11-24T13:57:09.628-05:00I'm so glad you are sharing this. I'd tha...I'm so glad you are sharing this. I'd thank an epoxy and glass coat on the outside of these canes would be a good alternative to the traditional canvas and paint. Can you tell me why you would not just go back with that? It is for tradition or are their other reasons?Canoe Sailorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06878643833070515395noreply@blogger.com