ReCanvasing a cedar canoe

Does anyone out there know if I can recondition my cedar/canvas canoe by stripping the outer paint/resin without actually removing the existing canvas ? Perhaps by using a paint stripper and sander and then painting over ? Any comments, ideas or suggestions welcome.

I did just this a few years ago to my cedar-canvas, but it is only a temporary measure. The root of the problem is the filler in the canvas. After a certain period of time it cracks, and then just keeps cracking and cracking. Every winter (maybe due to the cold) mine develops new cracks. Every spring I put off having it re-canvassed and sand it down and paint it again .

The only real solution is new canvas (and filler and paint). I was told by one workshop that a canvas lasts typically 10 years (mine, I believe, has lasted 30 years with a bit of help). Cost of professional recanvassing etc. is around CDN $600.

Is it just the outer layers of paint that is cracked or do the cracks extend down to the filler. Quite often cheaper paints are used and they don't stand up. You really need marine grade enamel or it will crack. You need a good clean surface to paint to or it will come right off in a year or so. If you are going to do this you will have to sand ( SAND, not strip) the paint off until you hit the filler. It is a messy job.

Before you attempt the job take a look at the stem bands under the deck plate. Odds are that there is rot there. If it is bad enough the canvas may have some sags at the end. If this is the case don't bother trying to save the old canvas, you'll have to take it off and do some repairs. Check for broken ribs as well. They can be hard to spot and if you are going to recanvas you might as well do them at the same time.

Hope this helps,

Don Haines

You could re-canvas the canoe. If you contact Noah's in Toronto (boat-building supplies) they carry a vinyl coated canvas for canoe covering. You strip off the gunwales, keel if there is one, fold and then stretch the canvas, put the canoe into the pocket, and tack the canvas on, through the upper planking & into the ribs, fold and seal the canvas at the bow and stern, put the gunwales back on,(and keel if you want one) and put the canoe into the water. If you use traditional canvas, you'll need filler, and paint, and drying time, and probably it'll take the better part of a month to get the boat back into the water. The vinyl coated canvas is much quicker. It should last about 20 years, before the UV causes it to degrade, and probably longer if the canoe is stored under cover and out of the UV