Recanvasing a Canvas Covered Canoe

Refer to repair parts sheet for materials required. The following items are usually sufficient to do one canoe:

When the canvas covering can no longer be kept watertight by painting and patching, and the hull is still sound, it is economical to remove the old canvas and stretch a new covering over the hull. The work is not intricate and will make the canoe as good as new.

Remove the stem bands, rub rails and keel thus exposing all fastenings. After these tacks have been removed, the old canvas can be taken off. Repair any damage to the wood.

Use a pair of horses, which do not extend beyond the gunwales. This allows the canvas to hang properly all around the rails. Fasten canvas to the hull, using 11/16” tacks along the gunwales, two tacks through each rib. Use 5/16” tacks along stems. Square sterns with a wooden transom require ¼” galvanized nails for securing canvas around stern. Where canvas laps at ends under the stem band and around square sterns, marine bedding compound should be used to prevent leaking. Canvas should extend about a foot longer than the hull, to provide a good grip for stretching, and should be about 3” wider than the old covering. We have never found any advantage to be derived from gluing the canvas to the hull.

In the process of covering the hull with fresh canvas, as much excess material as possible should be left until the fabric is stretched and securely nailed. Begin at the center and stretch, working from side to side toward ends as in the sketch until canvas is smooth all around. Stretch in the direction of arrows as shown. In finishing the ends, the fabric along one side should be stretched over the stem and tacked at about ½” intervals, then the excess material trimmed. Next the fabric on the opposite side should be stretched over the row of tacks just completed and a second nailing are made in the spaces occurring along the first row of tacks. This will result in a continuos row of tacks along the stem closely spaced. The fabric is then trimmed to provide the overlap shown in the detail drawing.

When canvas is installed, fill with Old Town Canoe Filler, a special preparation made for this purpose. When filler is dry sand smooth and prime with a coat of Primer Undercoat tinted with the finish color desired. Finish with a coat of Old Town Canoe Enamel.

Some people prefer to use fiberglass in place of canvas. Ask you local supplier of fiberglass materials for instructions covering the use of these products.