How To Make Boats Last Multiple Lives – Cedar Strip Canoe Repair

The pleasure of riding in strip cedar canoes simply cannot be compared to any other type of hobby. The sensations evoked by the robust and classic boat floating serenely on a body of water. One cannot help but feel nostalgic and cozy with an old world feeling.

However, since they are not as common as they used to be, the difficulty of maintaining a boat, not to mention the efforts required to repair it, could be a major inconvenience. In this age of modern convenience, people are used to getting things instantly. But if one prefers to appeal to the timeless pleasures of traditional elegance, one must invoke the more earthly elements of such crafts. Fortunately, that heritage has not been completely erased as there are still those who chose to preserve such an honorable art.

Cedar Strip Canoe History

The wooden canoe grew out of a long history of wooden craft tradition exhibited by the people of the First Nations. When the first European settlers ran out of canoes made from native birch bark, their ingenuity chose to design boats that used materials easily found in their new land. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention, and such is the case with the emergence of this type of canoe. What was once just a substitute material has become a standard feature in what would become an age-old tradition in shipbuilding. More than a century after that original European influence of these boats, people now have designs that are light, fast, strong, but still elegant and beautiful, not to mention that they are easy to repair, making it possible for them to last for generations.

Construction Knowledge – A Key to Cedar Strip Canoe Repair

Cedar strip canoes are carefully crafted with great skill and discipline. The cedar ribs are first steamed so that they are flexible enough to bend over a shape. The cedar planks are then deftly nailed to the outside of the ribs by hand with brass tacks. This very light clamping system provides a very strong skeleton for the canoe. Once the planks are installed, the form can be removed. To make them waterproof, a layer of fiberglass cloth is used as a cover, then about five layers of epoxy are spread over the helmet. It is then baked to harden the materials, making them waterproof. Subsequently, the seats, covers, bench, yoke and rail are installed. It is also covered with at least five coats of a special type of varnish that protects against UV light degradation.

Cedar Strip Canoe Repair and Maintenance

Although cedar strip canoes are generally durable, wear and tear cannot be completely avoided. Fortunately, it is easy to maintain and repair. To keep a unit in good condition, it should be stored upside down, off the ground. This would prevent it from deteriorating and therefore needing repair. If the inevitable minor scratches are acquired, they can be easily repaired with light applications of a UV protective coating that you can obtain at many boat supply stores or order online. Meanwhile, if there are deep nicks and scratches, an epoxy resin could easily cover them. If there is any irreparable damage, it would be best to restore the canoe, and this can easily be done by professional canoe restoration specialists.

Cedar strip canoes can serve as great works of art that can also be considered heirloom. With proper maintenance and immediate repair, they can be made to last several lives. To know more about the maintenance of these boats, it is only necessary to look for canoe repair services through the telephone directory or the Internet.

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