1930’s duck boat restoration

C

Chris jahnke

New member
Looking for some help on the material that I should use to get this 1930’s duck boat back to original. It appears to have a canvas material? Wrapped over wood. I will try to attach pictures showing g the material that needs to be replaced. Any help appreciated. Boat from south central Minnesota

Chris jahnke
 

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Welcome to the DHBP!
Very cool old boat.
Very well could be original painted canvas.
Are you looking to go back to original or to use modern materials (glass & epoxy)?
Hows the wood?
 
Carl said:
Welcome to the DHBP!
Very cool old boat.
Very well could be original painted canvas.
Are you looking to go back to original or to use modern materials (glass & epoxy)?
Hows the wood?
Click to expand...
I would really like to take it back to original. Wood is good on the inside of the boat. I would need to replace the wood on the cover of the boat. The boat is made of wood on the top metal on the bottom actually. And it looks to be a canvas material over the wood on top. And some of the pictures you might be able to see that the canvas material is coming apart. But I do not believe it was ever actually glued or attached to the wood? And then the boat and the canvas material was simply painted I believe, but yes, I would love to bring it back to your original just not sure how to do that?
 
Chris jahnke said:
I would really like to take it back to original. Wood is good on the inside of the boat. I would need to replace the wood on the cover of the boat. The boat is made of wood on the top metal on the bottom actually. And it looks to be a canvas material over the wood on top. And some of the pictures you might be able to see that the canvas material is coming apart. But I do not believe it was ever actually glued or attached to the wood? And then the boat and the canvas material was simply painted I believe, but yes, I would love to bring it back to your original just not sure how to do that?
Click to expand...
Chris,

I would wait for Steve Sanford to chime in. I agree it looks like canvas stretched over the wood, usually laid in a thick paint to attach to surface. I think the replacement material is dynel for these type of deck coverings. Wooden Boat Forum is a good resource.

Rick
 
Good morning, Chris~
Richard and Jeff have put you on the right track. And, Bob Welsh is the master in canvas-covered vessels.

You are correct in that the canvas decks were most likely not adhered to the wooden decks. Some canvas decks did set the canvas in white lead paste - but especially on smaller vessels the canvas was fastened - usually with copper tacks around the perimeter. A trim molding - wood or metal - covered the cut edges to prevent fraying. I've seen half-round rubrail along the gunwales and quarter-round against the cockpit coamings.

In addition to canvas-canoe sites, I recommend Howard Chappelle's BOAT-BUILDING. Canvas decks are fundamentally different from hulls - the latter are "glued" on then the weave is filled prior to painting, I believe.

You will want unbleached (and certainly unwaxed) cotton duck. I would defer to a vendor re the weight of the canvas for your application:

https://fabricwholesaledirect.com/products/8-cotton-duck-canvas-fabric
I believe the canvas was sometimes applied to decks when it was damp so that it would dry taut. Then, 2 coats of oil-based paint. I sailed my gaff sloop WILLET with canvas decks for many years. They got fresh paint every year.

As it happens, I have a Dan Kidney & Son vessel similar to yours. It needs new deck covering. I have not yet decided to go with canvas or Dynel. The hull was 'glassed long ago (and well) - so I may opt for the newer technology....

Hope this helps!

SJS
 
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