How to properly install a Painter or end lines on my canoe.

[RespiratoryMan]

Before I mess a good thing up. Does anyone have suggestions on how to properly install painters / end lines on a canoe. I feel the need to get this project completed soon.
Thanks,
Brett

[GutIt]

So hey Brett!

You looking to drill your bow & stern rise hull to install these painters or are you looking to tie them to the deck plate thwarts?

Drill the hull and here’s what I would do and have done on my Mad River Chuckwagon.

¼ to 3/8’s hole on either side of the sheer. About 3-5 inches down from the deck plate depending on your rise. The higher the better, but not so high for them to pull out. And about 2-4 inches back from your boat’s very leading edge. Try to get them lined up as close as you can of course. The same goes for the stern as if it were the bow.

Small diameter tough line to create a loop. Make it a double fisherman’s knot and make the loop long enough to hang about at least 3” or so. These are going to be a permanent fixture. Or at least until you have to replace them! I’ve never had to do so.

The actual painters I keep are at least 25+ feet. Bow and stern. I use on my canoes floating water line. Yellow in color and highly visible.

Tie them to your loops with a figure 8 and they will slide nicely. You got it made! Tie downs for hauling, lining your boat down a questionable spot, rescue, or just to hang on to while you get out in a shallow spot to look for crawdads!

Very good of you to bring this up, Respiratory Man. I have seen a lot of boaters who showed up with no painters and then wished they had them ultimately. In fact, all of the best OC-1ers I know have painters on their boats. Good enough for them? Good enough for my cooler canoes!

If you are just going to tie a painter to your deck plate thwarts, just do a fig 8.

[RespiratoryMan]

Thanks Terry!
This will be my weekend project.
I was wondering, after I drill should I try and (glue/bond) in a piece of small pvc pipe trimmed to fit. Then run the rope through.
Is this step even necessary?

[GutIt]

I wouldn't even worry about that, Brett and don't add any glue or PVC to that beautiful Bell.

Just sand any drill flakes or edges off the holes to make everything smooth if you need to, no rough edges. And you probably won't have any anyway. That's all it is! You'll be happy with how your boat looks, your mods are absolutely necessary, and every canoe need its painters! Find some nice line to make your loops with, tie some sweet knots for them, and I promise they will look beautiful on that Alaskan!

Put your painters on it and enjoy the best ride on the River!

[RespiratoryMan]

I feel the need to get er done this weekend.
Thanks for your advise. I'll report back after I'm finished.
Brett

[RespiratoryMan]

The new painters are installed. If I could figure out how to post a picture, I would.
30 minute job.
Thanks to Terry / Eric.