Rookie Canoe question

[RobOrBob]

Several years ago I acquired a partially finished canoe. It was a kit but I don't know the manufacture. It's basically a wooden frame, layed up with with thin sections of flexible plastic (?) and sealed with fiberglass mat. I'm finally getting it ready for use and here's the question. The ribs are exposed on the inside (no deck) and there are plenty of places where you can step off those ribs and be standing on nothing but the skin of the boat. Should I add a deck here or am I ok putting that kind of strain on the skin?

Thanks in advance

Bob

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Welcome to iboats.

If it was me..... I would make a simple plywood or plastic deck taht was removable and maybe attached with a bungee cord. Just something to lay over the top.

 

[RobOrBob]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Thanks for the advice. Adding a deck is clearly a fail-safe approach. It really comes down to the question of balancing the likelihood of the skin not holding my weight against the weight and hassle of the deck. I didn't know if exposed ribs was something of a standard design feature in canoe kits or not, hence the question. Have you ever seen a canoe like mine without a deck?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Have you ever seen a canoe like mine without a deck?

Ayuh,... Can't See your's either,.... Got a Picture,..??

 

[RobOrBob]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

I'll take one this evening and post it. (Don't know why I didn't think of it, makes me feel kind of silly...)

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Ayuh,... There should be Instructions at the top of the Tech, Non-boating forum if you need them...

 

[RobOrBob]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Here is a photo of the bow section. I placed a pair of vice grips in picture to try an provide for scale, not sure if that worked.The ribs are about an inch tall.

 

[RobOrBob]

Re: Rookie Canoe question

Just finished with the cracks and am almost done with new gunwales, which leads me back to the deck/ lack of deck question. I think I'll put it in the water, pretty much as is, and see what happens. If it doesn't sink the worst thing that is likely to happen is that someone will give me a dirty look for paddling around with my 'ribs' showing, kind of like sailing without pulling up the bumpers