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Thank you Glenn, and all others for your kind comments! I learned a lot on this project since the repairs and fabrication of new parts was more extensive than on previous canoes, but most of all I learned something about patience. There were many family and business obligations that put the...

I feel your pain. I have a vintage folding kayak, a Pionier 540G tandem which my Dad bought in the 1950's. We had many family adventures in it, especially in Maine and the Chesapeake Bay. Sadly its skin is old and dry but the frame is intact and a technical wonder of wood and brass fittings...

Yep, I think you may be right. I resisted green for a long time since there are many green canoes out there, but this is really striking in appearance, especially with the bright new Ash outwales, and relatively light colored interior for contrast. I'm sure the outwales will darken over time...

Could you expand a bit on the Loop? I'm assuming you mean Chesuncook-Allagash-Chamberlain-Mud Pond- Umbazooksus-Chesuncook. If so, I'll be anxious to read opinions too, as I am pondering a couple of adventures in that area that include the Mud Pond Carry.

The long project is finished! I picked her up in Richmond VA, and here's how she looked when I arrived home: In the barn along with the completed Willow in slings, and the filled-canvas Chestnut Chum on the rack: And now: I will look forward to having her in the water, as soon as the...

In 1966, at the age of 14, I went on my first real mountain trip to the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. We spent a week traversing all the summits of the range. In those days the only viable radio in the car was Top 40, AM radio. FM was barely a "thing" yet and so...

Buckhorn Canoes, Ontario, CA and the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association sell Peterborough decals. Neither lists the 75 year decal, but they may have an image suitable for you.

I appreciate Glenn's 'Happy National ..... Day headers! So, how about we give a limerick a try? I'll start. My long-term canoe project nears its close, And the details have kept me on my toes, The fact is.... I'd rather be tripping, With water from my paddle dripping, But once I get out...

Thanks Bob. Yes, BRG was probably the coveted color for a MGB or Sprite when I was a kid! I think one more coat of color before I install the outwales, then another carefully lapping paint onto the junction of outwales & hull to seal. The outwales will get one more full varnish coat all...

Getting close now. 4 coats of primer and one coat of color are on the hull. The outwales are fully shaped, sanded, and first coated with wiping varnish off the boat, brass stems bent and ready to install. Tinted primer going on: Primer sanded between coats; the light spots are high points...

Progress report, prior to priming and painting: Outwale blanks were milled to the correct rabbet to fit the planking and canvas thickness, then steamed to fit. At the ends of the canoe, the outwales were tapered both in height and depth to arrive at a more pleasing appearance than the typical...

" I occasionally challenge myself in an activity for the joy of overcoming and succeeding." Absolutely.. your comment characterizes much of my past outdoor pursuits. For me it's more 'fun' to set a challenge whose outcome is not certain just to see if I can do it. Then there is this...

A writer whose adventurous antics I have followed for years once articulated “the fun scale”. Having spent a significant part of my life as a climber and alpinist in some of the worlds great mountain ranges, I can attest to the spirit of the scale...

"furled, folded and then fanned".... nice alliteration!

The Opeongo Aerial hammock is quite comfortable. The slackline type suspension results in a drum-tight, flat lay. I find it quite comfortable. I would not recommend it for anyone much over my height of 5'10" unless you don't mind having head or feet touching the netting fabric. I found when...

Glenn, my friend suggests that the nitric acid process works well on cherry and walnut also. After seeing his process I find that Pennsylvania long gun makers use a similar process for curly maple which apparently is favored for gunstocks. However, the process used there includes the...

What a great result! Very nice and shapely paddle. Can’t go wrong with cherry.

Thanks everyone for following and commenting. Rick, I must admit this is my first exposure to the process. There is no stain involved. Simply the application of the nitric acid solution, application of heat to oxidize the acid, light sanding, wipe with denatured alcohol then oil. I watched...

Update: I finished the paddle; my first curly maple. I'm very happy with the weight and feel, though undecided about the grip. I usually like a grip which has a 'notch' for my thumb to curl into and this grip is a bit simpler. Time will tell... I am very fortunate to have a friend who has...

I have also set up my 10'x12' tarp (A frame style) over my Opeongo Aerial 1 hammock. The hammock is quite comfortable, and with it's net tent makes a great, airy setup in warm weather. It allows plenty of air flow and the net tent makes bug season tolerable. Seen here in my back yard. And...