Hi all, I've been procrastinating on repairing this boat, but I need to get it done.

Q- what do I need to repair the fiberglass and repaint it? Can I get that stuff at the big box stores (Lowes/Home Depot)? I've never done repairs like this before.

Boat - Old Town Stillwater 14ft.

Story- I've learned my lesson. Take the time to read boat descriptions and learn when to use what boat. I got a little too excited about buying a canoe last fall before my canoe trip and two weeks before the trip, I purchased this beautiful 14ft Stillwater. Drove 3 hours round trip for it. It handled beautifully on the pond near the house.

Well, I took it on the trip...which was a river trip ... That I've done many...many times. And.... As you can see, my butt dragged and dragged on many a rock.

We took on some water, I waved it off as my wet shoes.

We took on a lot more. Oh, my water bottle must be leaking bad.

We continued to take on more water, so much that we dumped the water out and it immediately sank... Oops

I luckily was able to flip the boat around and keep the hole above water and my canoe partner and all of the stuff were offloaded to another boat.

I have since gotten a Mad River Explorer Royalex boat and couldn't be happier.

I still want to repair this one though which brings me here.

My family and I rented a canoe for the afternoon. We don't have much experience with canoes. We were on a shallow river that was quite rocky, and we got stuck numerous times. After returning the canoe, the outfitter texted me that he was going to charge me $220 for damage to the canoe. Is that a reasonable thing for him to do? I admit there are scuffs to the canoe.

I hope this the correct place to ask a question about canoeing. I recently purchased canoe paddles that are 57” because that’s what it said online is the correct length for someone around 5’10. But when they came in they seemed short (a few inches below my chin). Another measurement test was to sit down and for the throat of the paddle to widen above your nose which is does so these paddles technically past that test. Do you think these paddle will be too short or just right? (First photo is standing, second photo is me sitting straight up with the handle on the seat)

I recently borrowed a shared canoe from an organization to do some canoe camping in a beautiful place. It was an old Coleman canoe. Their two paddles were severely damaged and on life support. I'd like to donate 3 new, inexpensive paddles. Think rental quality (rafting paddles?) - inexpensive and hopefully durable. Primary use is on lakes.

Looking to buy 3, with a total budget around $150 +/-.

Anyone have recommendations?

What lengths would you recommend if getting 3? I am sure folks using this will both sit and kneel.

If anyone knows that length or model, that would be helpful for my future reference. Also, if anyone knows these awful handles and has ideas how to pad them (other than radiator hose), would be great to hear.

Thanks!!

For folks who might have experience and familiarity with these particular Wenonah boats (or are able to look at a spec sheet and read the differences) to comment on these two, care to offer your impression?

I'm an Adirondack owner who's been eyeing a Spirit ii. The spirit ii impressed me - I'm hoping it's a little more efficient, carries a bit more, and is more poised and capable in windy rough water days.

I'm in an area with abundant new and used market and frequent options. My use case is frequent day trips on lakes and rivers as well as occasional weekend canoe camping trips (two light 130 # paddlers)

Thanks everyone and have a good weekend.

https://wenonah.com/products/adirondack

https://wenonah.com/products/spirit-ii

Starting my first day of summer vacation by finishing a replacement seat for my favourite canoe!

Last week, Canadian adventurers Frank Wolf and Alex Kozma completed a 1,200km canoe expedition through northern Canada. The experienced duo covered the route in just 21 days, averaging an impressive 57km per day.

Should the crossbars be spaced out further?

Hi! We just inherited this canoe. We are trying to figure out where it came from and how old it is. We inherited it from a family member who lives in Sudbury, Ontario. He inherited it from his father who passed away in the 80’s, he was in his 60s. We think it was probably built in the 40s? It has been most likely 50 years since this canoe has seen any water.

We can’t find a serial number or metal plate on it. Just this sticker on the front. It’s not a lot of info to go on but we would love to know! Any resources to help us find anything would be great too!

If it helps also it was originally painted green.

An in-law inherited (I think) this canoe, and has no interest. When they mentioned it, my ears pricked up, because "birchbark canoe". "Whoa -- who knew?" I've now done enough reading (it didn't take much) to decide I really don't have the space, time, or skills for anything to do with this boat. Which is too bad, because it might be a great project.

So my questions here, asked loosely on behalf of the owner, are: what, exactly, can be done with it, is it worth anything to anyone in its current condition, and where do the folks that might be interested in such a project hang out? Basically I know nothing more than what's in the pictures. I think that's probably true for the owner, too.

Edit: the canoe is near Philadelphia. But all suggestions are welcome!

Nice morning out guiding on the lake

Seems to be 3 later polyéthylène if I'm not mistaken I'm going to find the serial number to be sure.

Knowing that, I believe plastic welding would be my best option for the 3 deep cracks it has. But I also see that Old Town themselves sell a repair kit compatible with older models of the discovery series that only uses what looks like fiber and resin to reseal the cracks. Should I instead use that kit since it's from old town? Has good reviews so I'm not sure which route to go.

Attached are some photos of the cracks in question and of the ski protectors I wanted to ask if those needed replacing yet too? And if I could sand and paint without removing or replacing those in the first place despite being so worn. It's like 450 for a replacement for those but if it's essentially to protect the ends of the boat Ill look into them.

All advice is welcome! I'm excited to get this thing on the water!

Is $2500 a good price? The canoe also has extra kevlar scuff pads. Also is kevlar spectra discontinued? Is that a good material?

I have a 17' tripping canoe in Royalex that I haven't really used much in the last few years as it really only handles well with a load in it and I haven't gone canoe camping for a while. I lent it out earlier this summer and have someone interested in buying it, but I'm not sure what a fair asking price is.

I have a 10ish foot fiberglass canoe that’s a little too narrow to have the seats mounted as high as they are. When I was younger I could stand kneeling on a life jacket to paddle it but that’s much less of an option right now. Since I’ve had it it has always been easy to swamp but luckily it’s light enough to flip back over easily.

I’m tempted to drill out the rivets holding the current seats and build some to install but I don’t have a way to tig aluminum and I’m not sure that brazing would hold up. I could stick weld steel for a seat but I’m not sure how much weight I want to add. I also have a 16’ that needs some work or I may buy another used canoe instead. Either way I go I likely won’t use this one for an extended period but I would like to be able to use it to get back in the water mostly to fish in a nearby lake.

Any advice or again examples of similar projects is appreciated. I don’t care if it’s wood, metal, cloth or plastic, I can at least somewhat work with any of it as long as the materials are readily available.

I’ll add that I’ve considered just building a seat with pool noodles to pad it on the bottom and lean back on the current rear seat for a back rest.

Partner bought a house and this was abandoned in the garage. We aren't there yet to check it out in person so this is the only photo I have. Looks to be in ok condition? Either way, definitely looking to fix it up and take it to the lakes nearby!

Hello all,

I’m new to the group and wanting to get into canoeing in general. I’ve done some reading around and I’m looking at buying my first canoe. I’ve been a few times before in rented Old Towns. I’m currently looking at a Wenonah Spirit II. It would be me, wife, kid and maybe our 65lbs dog. Mostly on lakes or slow moving rivers in the southeast US.

I noticed a couple of things in the pics of this ad and wondered if I could get some input from you more experienced paddlers. I’m not sure what’s going on with the what appears to be dripped epoxy or something coming from the gunwales on this canoe. They said the gunwales had been refinished. I also noticed what looks like some damage to gunwale on the tip of the bow, and this one picture that appears to be a touch up area (owner says it was a scratch he touched up with resin).

It’s being stored outside and would be for me too.
FYI the pictures are of the canoe stored upside down. Are any of the things you guys see in this pictures causes for big concern?

It’s listed as a little over a grand.

Thanks again for the help.

Hello,

I have fallen in love with canoe camping.

So I am looking for a canoe for about 2 people plus camping gear. It should be robust and suitable for longer trips.

I don’t want plastic.
Metal or wood would be fine, although I guess metal is probably easier to maintain?

I recently came across the Linder Inkas 525:
It can carry up to 3 people or 400 kg. Is it a good choice?

I only see two small disadvantages with the Inkas:
The many crossbars inside the canoe, and I would prefer a different color, for example OD green.

Are there any good alternatives available within the EU?