Antique Canoe woodwork, restoration?

[Fish]

It's time to put some TLC into my '46 Old Town canoe. It's a beauty and it needs someone who is really good working with wood, preferably with boats. Anyone know who I could take it to? Does anyone know how to get ahold of Skip Emerson - I think he used to do this kind of work in the NW AR area?

Thanks!
Fish

[Cathy]

Skip lives out East now. I see him quite often on the Ocoee. And I think I have his number around here somewhere... Anyway, if not, I'll ask him when I see him again.

[Brettm]

Bill-Been building houses,cabinets and furniture for 25 years or so.Id be happy to take a look at it sometime.pm the details. Brett

[T Yamashita]

I would say since you've held on to it even placing it above furniture, you should possibly restore it yourself. It seems you value the beauty and history of the boat so I bet taking your time and doing it yourself would be a great experience for you. If you're really not up to doing it all, you could have some one do the hard parts that you don't have the time or machinery to do and do the simple stuff. Lots of Luck! ty

[Fish]

Thanks for the advice - I really don't want to "restore" it so much as just bring out the color in the wood and canvas and put the gunwales and keel board back on. Any suggestions for what I should use on the wood and on the canvas? Don't want to paint anything or sand it down - just want to brighten up the faded parts and preserve it as best I can without changing anything. It's a beauty in great condition and I just want to keep it that way really.

Thanks,
Fish

[Roger]

Fish, you might get in touch with somebody like this who does it for a living. I would think that they would not mind sharing a bit of info:

http://canoeshop.ca/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Might even be a few more out there , you can google up!

[Fish]

Wow, thanks Roger. That site has some great DIY info, and has a recipe for using Linseed Oil (double boiled) and mineral spirits to bring the wood back to life. Sounds so easy even I could do it. I'm going to try it as soon as I can find a garage I can work in.

Thanks!
Fish

[Roger]

Gee, Fish, you being the techno-geek-guru of all things internet, I would have thought the first thing you would have done was Google the damn thing!!!! :roll: :roll: (couldn't resist the eye roll thingie)!

BTW, you're welcome. Now, will you let me paddle the boat once when you get it done? I'd like to do Richland in it!

[Susan Tinker]

There is a guy in Fayetteville He fishes in his wooden rec kayaks and canoes on Lake Fayetteville quite often, after 4 pm. He is a true craftsman and builds beautiful wooden rec kayaks for fishing. The newspaper did an article about him a year or two ago.
He also has an elite cabinet business in Fayetteville. He doesn't sell his boats but they are perfectly designed.

If you want more information, please email me and I'll give you his number. I think it is unlisted.
susan210@gmail.com or respond here!

[Cathy]

Fishie, I talked with Skip this weekend and he said he only knows how to repair old skool kayaks but knows nothing of wooden canoes. By the way, he now lives in Cleveland, GA...about 20 minutes from the Ocoee. Sheez!